I hinted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I hinted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that you suggested something indirectly or subtly without stating it outright. Example: "During our conversation, I hinted that I might be interested in a promotion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

I hinted that I was seeing someone.

The New York Times

As I hinted above, a focus on extraordinary talent was key to the annual reviews.

The New York Times

In last week's Monday Note, I hinted that I'd never put my savings in Facebook's stock.

The Guardian - Tech

He nodded when I hinted that my five-minute viewing time had not been enough.

The New York Times - Travel

When I hinted that I was hoping for some kind of romantic response from him, he said sarcastically: "What do you want me to say?

The New York Times

And yet, as I hinted at earlier in my question to you, the direction of your leadership has been more complicated than that.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

However much I hint, there's no getting out of him whether he has a boyfriend.

The Guardian - Music

She doesn't even pretend to offer, even after I hint.

The New York Times

"That is the last time I hint that someone should take a job," he said.

The New York Times

I hint towards temporalities that are fluid, speculative, and somewhat loose.

Vice

And the third, which I've already, I think, hinted at, is energy.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I hinted", ensure the context provides enough clues for the audience to understand the implication. Clarity is key, even with subtlety.

Common error

Avoid using "I hinted" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound evasive or lacking in confidence. Strive for a balance between subtlety and clarity. Choose the most precise verb for the intended nuance.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "I hinted" is to serve as a verb phrase in the simple past tense. It indicates a past action of subtly suggesting something. Ludwig indicates that it is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science & Research

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

The Guardian - Music

2%

Huffington Post

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I hinted" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to indicate a subtle or indirect suggestion, as verified by Ludwig. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news, research, and business communications, with a neutral register. When using "I hinted", ensure there's enough context for your audience to grasp the intended meaning and avoid overuse to maintain clarity and confidence in your writing. Related phrases like "I suggested subtly" and "I implied indirectly" can provide alternative ways to express similar ideas. The frequency of the expression is common in News & Media source, according to Ludwig's analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I suggested subtly

Replaces 'hinted' with a more explicit term, adding 'subtly' for emphasis on the indirectness.

I implied indirectly

Uses 'implied', focusing on the indirect nature of the communication, reinforced by 'indirectly'.

I intimated gently

Employs 'intimated', suggesting a delicate and subtle revelation, supported by 'gently'.

I alluded discreetly

Replaces 'hinted' with 'alluded', indicating a reference without explicit mention, and adding 'discreetly' to emphasize the caution involved.

I dropped a subtle clue

Shifts from direct action to the act of providing a clue, making the suggestion even less direct.

I gave a slight indication

Uses 'indication' to denote a sign or suggestion, highlighting its subtlety with 'slight'.

I made an indirect reference

Focuses on the act of referencing something without being direct, thereby hinting at it.

I vaguely mentioned

Substitutes 'hinted' with 'vaguely mentioned', conveying a lack of detail and directness in the suggestion.

I let it be known subtly

Changes the structure to focus on the act of making something known in an indirect way.

I gave a tacit suggestion

Emphasizes the unspoken nature of the suggestion by using 'tacit', meaning understood or implied without being stated.

FAQs

How can I use "I hinted" in a sentence?

You can use "I hinted" to indicate that you subtly suggested something without stating it directly. For example: "I hinted that I was looking for a new job during the conversation."

What's the difference between "I hinted" and "I suggested"?

"I hinted" implies a more subtle and indirect suggestion, while "I suggested" indicates a more direct proposal or recommendation. The choice depends on the level of directness you want to convey.

What can I say instead of "I hinted"?

You can use alternatives like "I implied", "I intimated", or "I alluded to" depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "I hinted" in formal writing?

Yes, "I hinted" can be appropriate in formal writing, especially when you want to convey a subtle suggestion or implication without being overly direct. However, ensure the context and tone align with the formality of the writing.