a hefty clue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a hefty clue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a significant or substantial hint or indication about something. Example: "The detective found a hefty clue that led him closer to solving the mystery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

For all the sneering at "motivation" – and Martin Amis (the character in the novel, not its author) does a fair bit of that, too – there's a hefty clue as to why Self may have turned out the way he has in the novel's most disturbing scene, which takes place in another backroom at the Shakespeare: The parlour had come on a long way since I was a boy.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Each title is a hefty nudge to the future undergraduate, a clue as to how an essay should go.

The Guardian - Books

And with the introduction of the new series comes a hefty collection of baffling observations, blazingly apparent clues and ridiculously obscure conversations, which we rounded up into one post for your spoilery enjoyment.

Los Angeles Times

A hefty offer arrived.

The New York Times

A hefty percentage got lost.

The New Yorker

And a hefty fine.

The New York Times

Perversely, it does suggest a Hefty bag.

The New York Times

But it comes at a hefty price.

The New York Times

But he extracted a hefty price.

The New York Times

But that is still a hefty whack.

The Economist

Tickets cost a hefty 83 cents each.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a hefty clue" to emphasize the significance or obviousness of a hint, especially in contexts where subtlety is not the focus.

Common error

Avoid using "a hefty clue" when describing subtle or nuanced hints. The phrase implies a significant, almost blatant, indication, making it inappropriate for understated situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a hefty clue" functions as a noun phrase, where "hefty" modifies the noun "clue". It suggests that the clue is significant, substantial, or obvious. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a hefty clue" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that emphasizes the significance or obviousness of a hint. While not very common, it is mostly found in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. When writing, use it to highlight important pieces of information, but avoid overusing it in situations that require subtlety. Alternatives such as "a significant hint" or "a substantial clue" may be more appropriate in certain contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant hint

Replaces "hefty" with "significant", emphasizing the importance of the clue.

a substantial clue

Substitutes "hefty" with "substantial", highlighting the size or importance of the clue.

a major indication

Shifts from "clue" to "indication", suggesting a sign or signal that points towards something.

a strong suggestion

Replaces "clue" with "suggestion", indicating a hint that implies something is the case.

an important lead

Uses "lead" instead of "clue", emphasizing its role in guiding an investigation or search.

a telling sign

Replaces "clue" with "sign", focusing on the revealing nature of the hint.

a revealing piece of information

Expands the phrase to emphasize the revealing nature of the information acting as a clue.

a considerable hint

Substitutes "hefty" with "considerable", suggesting the clue is worthy of attention.

a noticeable clue

Emphasizes the obvious or easily detected nature of the clue.

a weighty clue

Employs "weighty" instead of "hefty", underlining the importance or seriousness of the clue.

FAQs

What does "a hefty clue" mean?

The phrase "a hefty clue" refers to a significant or substantial hint or piece of information that is helpful in solving a problem or mystery.

What can I say instead of "a hefty clue"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant hint", "a substantial clue", or "a major indication" depending on the context.

Is "a hefty clue" formal or informal?

"A hefty clue" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal writing might prefer "significant" or "substantial".

How can I use "a hefty clue" in a sentence?

Example: "The detective found "a hefty clue" that led him closer to solving the mystery".