ENGLISH
REFERENCE

torn

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈtɔɹn// UK //tˈɔːn// torn

adj. unable to choose between two different options or feelings. You use this when you feel pulled in two directions at once.

adj. unable to decide between two conflicting possibilities or emotions. Functions as a participial adjective, often following a linking verb.


SIMPLE

I am torn between the chocolate cake and the fruit tart.

CONTEXTUAL

She felt torn between her desire to travel the world and her commitment to her new job.

COMPLEX

The committee remained torn between the immediate necessity of budget cuts and the long-term goal of expanding their research facilities, leading to a stalemate in the negotiations.

Synonyms
Usage

Often used with the preposition 'between' to show the two conflicting choices.

Pitfall

I am torn among the two optionsI am torn between the two optionsWhen choosing between two distinct things, 'between' is the correct preposition to use with 'torn'.

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