a good hint

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a good hint" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a helpful suggestion or piece of advice that aids in understanding or solving a problem. Example: "The teacher provided a good hint that helped me figure out the math problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

"The iPhone phenomenon may be a good hint," Ding says.

MIT Technology Review

But the tours will give the Verbs a good hint of where their futures lie.

The Washington Post

A band at the size of the plasmid is a good hint that the PCR was successful.

Nature

A good hint of the improvisatory practices is offered in the Vezzo di perle musicali (1610; Necklace of Musical Pearls), by Adriano Banchieri.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That seemed like a good hint at where Kansas politics might go, guided by the remnant faction of religious conservatives and the rising one of school administrators.

The New Yorker

The simple farmhand has matured into a daring buccaneer – there's a good hint of Alexandre Dumas's Edmond Dantès about Westley – and developed an eye for the one-liner.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

While I never received an official explanation, I did get a pretty good hint: the translators we worked with told me they were getting about $400 a month for their services.

The New York Times

A strong desire to see you is a pretty good hint that she is interested.

WikiHow

"It's a really good hint that by September or October employment will be taking off, because at some point these companies can't expand without more people," said Russell Sheldon, a senior economist at BMO Nesbitt Burns in Toronto.

The New York Times

I can't comment on that, but the headline of his article, "Let's welcome free and fair elections on 7th November," gives a pretty good hint about what follows.

The Guardian

She gives a pretty good hint of her mental instability when she chops off the head of her daughter's hamster, but we just know she's nuts in the next scene, a mere five minutes after the credits, when she slashes her daughter's throat, too.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a good hint", ensure the context clearly indicates what the hint is pointing towards or providing insight about. Be specific to maximize clarity.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a good hint" as a definitive answer or solution. It should be framed as a suggestion or clue, not a guarantee.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good hint" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "good" is an adjective modifying the noun "hint". It describes the quality of the hint, suggesting it is helpful or useful, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

21%

Wiki

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a good hint" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a helpful suggestion or clue. Ludwig's analysis, leveraging real-world examples, confirms its versatility across different registers, though slightly more formal alternatives might suit academic or professional writing. The phrase’s primary function is to offer guidance, and its usage is frequent in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts. Remember to be specific and avoid overstating its importance when using it in your writing. It is a versatile option for any writer.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a helpful suggestion

Focuses more on the helpfulness of the suggestion.

a useful clue

Emphasizes the clue aspect, implying something that helps solve a mystery or problem.

a valuable tip

Highlights the worth or importance of the advice.

a key indicator

Suggests that the hint is a significant sign or signal.

a telling sign

Implies the hint reveals something important or informative.

an insightful clue

Highlights the depth and understanding gained from the clue.

a promising lead

Indicates that the hint could potentially lead to a solution or discovery.

a significant pointer

Emphasizes the direction or guidance provided by the hint.

a suggestive detail

Highlights the indirect nature of the hint, implying more than it states directly.

a noteworthy indication

Focuses on the importance and worthiness of noting the indication.

FAQs

How can I use "a good hint" in a sentence?

You can use "a good hint" to suggest someone is giving helpful advice. For example, "The teacher gave "a good hint" that helped the student solve the problem."

What are some alternatives to "a good hint"?

Alternatives to "a good hint" include "a helpful suggestion", "a useful clue", or "a valuable tip", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a good hint" in formal writing?

While "a good hint" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "a key indicator" or "a significant pointer" might be more suitable in academic or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "a good hint" and "a subtle hint"?

"A good hint" simply implies that the hint is helpful or useful. "A subtle hint" indicates that the hint is not obvious and requires some interpretation.