a faint trace of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a faint trace of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or subtle indication of something, often in contexts related to feelings, scents, or physical evidence. Example: "There was a faint trace of perfume lingering in the air, reminding her of the last time they met."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

A faint trace of this role does remain, though.

The Guardian

Actually, there is a faint trace of saccharine here.

The Guardian - Film

"It was fun," Kylar Park, a seventeen-year-old from Guam, who had a faint trace of a mustache, said.

The New Yorker

The book is set in 1917, and news of World War I reaches the Idaho high country like a faint trace of wood smoke.

The New York Times - Books

With a faint trace of his old swagger, he added: "We will be highly profitable -- not barely profitable, but highly profitable".

The New York Times

The rationale: a robust zinfandel was much less likely to be affected by a faint trace of detergent, real or imagined, than a delicate Burgundy.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

In the first round Mr. Lambert's "Mad World" was dutifully restrained, only a faint tracing of his impressive rendition of the song earlier in the season.

The New York Times - Arts

It's a post-industrial, post-prog yelp-fest, a faint tracing of an early Nine Inch Nails album, and were it not for the fact that its lead singer is Jared Leto, it might have fizzled some time ago.

The New York Times - Arts

Cross 2 produced three yellow unbanded snails (e.g., Fig. 1c), a phenotype that might be produced by recombination between the colour (C) and banding (B) loci; one of these individuals, a sub-adult with a damaged shell, has a very faint trace of a band.

Nature

In fact, astronomers think a very faint trace of a counter jet reaching to the lower right of the image may have also been captured in this view.

Huffington Post

MANCHESTER, England — Sergi Roberto might have noticed Lionel Messi's battle scars first: the slightly swollen nose, or the faint trace of a bruise, flowering around his left eye.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing sensory experiences, such as scents or flavors, use "a faint trace of" to convey subtlety and nuance. For example, "The wine had a faint trace of oak."

Common error

Avoid using "a faint trace of" with adjectives that already imply subtlety. Saying "a faint trace of subtle aroma" is redundant. Instead, use either the adjective or the phrase, but not both.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a faint trace of" primarily functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. It indicates the presence of something in a minimal or subtle quantity. Ludwig shows this usage in various contexts, emphasizing its role in describing subtle sensory details or residual elements.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

26%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a faint trace of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a subtle or minimal presence of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across various contexts, from describing sensory details to indicating minimal evidence. It's particularly common in news and media, as well as scientific writing, reflecting its neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure that it aligns with the intended subtlety, avoiding redundancy with already nuanced adjectives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight hint of

Replaces "trace" with "hint", emphasizing subtlety and indirectness.

a subtle indication of

Uses "indication" instead of "trace", highlighting that it is a sign, not necessarily a physical residue.

a mere suggestion of

Emphasizes the minimal nature of the presence, implying it's barely perceptible.

a delicate touch of

Replaces "trace" with "touch", suggesting something added lightly and carefully.

a whisper of

Uses "whisper" metaphorically to convey a very quiet or subtle presence.

a shadow of

Metaphorically suggests an echo or reminder of something that was once more prominent.

a suspicion of

Implies an element of uncertainty, where the presence is not definitively confirmed.

a glimmer of

Suggests a brief or fleeting presence, especially related to light or hope.

a vestige of

Highlights that it is a remnant or surviving bit of something that has mostly disappeared.

a tinge of

Implies a small amount added to something, often related to color or emotion.

FAQs

How can I use "a faint trace of" in a sentence?

You can use "a faint trace of" to indicate a subtle presence or indication of something, such as "There was "a faint trace of smoke" in the air" or "He detected "a faint trace of sadness" in her voice".

What's the difference between "a faint trace of" and "a slight hint of"?

Both "a faint trace of" and "a slight hint of" suggest a subtle presence, but "a faint trace of" often implies a physical residue or a sensory perception, while "a slight hint of" can also refer to a suggestion or implication.

What can I say instead of "a faint trace of"?

You can use alternatives like "a slight indication of", "a subtle reminder of", or "a hint of", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a faint trace of evidence"?

Yes, it is correct. Saying "a faint trace of evidence" suggests that there is very little evidence available, but it still points to something. You can also use it to describe a clue that is hard to spot.