a hint of trepidation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a hint of trepidation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a subtle feeling of fear or anxiety about something. Example: "As she approached the stage to give her speech, there was a hint of trepidation in her voice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I responded with a hint of trepidation.

The New York Times

There was a hint of trepidation in his voice.

The New York Times

And so it was with hope, and a hint of trepidation, that I stepped into a new Fantasyland.

The New York Times - Travel

This Entfürung showed all the characteristics of that "new normal": a lack of consistent incisiveness, intermittent pacing issues between the orchestra and the singers, and just a hint of trepidation across the board.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Quiet passages drifted past without any hint of trepidation.

The Guardian - Music

Not a hint of hesitancy or trepidation is to be found in him.

Huffington Post

The Monday-night buildup to Jamaica Inn started early, with a bottle of Betty Stogs bitter, nervous trepidation with a hint of optimism running through my veins and the question on everyone's lips in Cornwall: "How will the Cornish accent sound this time?" Now, the BBC have a bit of recent history here, as they also got it about 200 miles off with their recent mockumentary W1A.

The Guardian - Opinion

A hint of flexibility.

The Economist

Without a hint of irony.

The New York Times

Not even a hint of a frost.

Independent

A hint of mortality can be invigorating.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a hint of trepidation" to subtly convey a character's unease or anticipation, rather than explicitly stating their fear.

Common error

Avoid using "a hint of trepidation" repeatedly within a short span. Vary your language to keep the writing fresh and engaging. For example, you can use "a touch of apprehension" or "a trace of unease".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a hint of trepidation" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as an object of a preposition or a subject complement. It describes a subtle feeling or indication of fear or apprehension. Ludwig AI highlights its use in news and media, signifying its role in describing nuanced emotions.

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 hint of trepidation" is a noun phrase used to express a subtle feeling of fear or anxiety, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is grammatically correct and most commonly found in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI analysis reveals it functions to imply mild unease and is best used in neutral registers. While it's a useful phrase, avoid overuse and consider alternatives like "a touch of apprehension" to maintain writing variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a touch of apprehension

Substitutes "hint" with "touch" and "trepidation" with "apprehension", slightly softening the intensity.

a trace of unease

Replaces "hint" with "trace" and "trepidation" with "unease", suggesting a minimal level of discomfort.

a shade of anxiety

Uses "shade" instead of "hint" and "anxiety" in place of "trepidation", indicating a slight amount of worry.

a suggestion of worry

Employs "suggestion" for "hint" and "worry" for "trepidation", creating a less formal tone.

a glimmer of fear

Replaces "hint" with "glimmer" and "trepidation" with "fear", highlighting a fleeting sensation.

a suspicion of dread

Uses "suspicion" instead of "hint" and "dread" for "trepidation", implying a sense of foreboding.

a whisper of concern

Substitutes "hint" with "whisper" and "trepidation" with "concern", indicating a low-level worry.

a degree of nervousness

Replaces "hint" with "degree" and "trepidation" with "nervousness", suggesting a measurable feeling.

a small amount of disquiet

Uses "small amount" for "hint" and "disquiet" for "trepidation", creating a more descriptive phrase.

an element of foreboding

Employs "element" instead of "hint" and "foreboding" for "trepidation", conveying a sense of impending doom.

FAQs

How can I use "a hint of trepidation" in a sentence?

You can use "a hint of trepidation" to describe a subtle feeling of fear or anxiety. For example: "As the speaker approached the podium, there was "a hint of trepidation" in their eyes."

What are some alternatives to "a hint of trepidation"?

Alternatives include "a touch of apprehension", "a trace of unease", or "a shade of anxiety", depending on the desired nuance.

Is it better to say "a hint of trepidation" or "a feeling of trepidation"?

"A hint of trepidation" suggests a milder, more subtle emotion than "a feeling of trepidation", which implies a stronger, more pronounced sensation.

What's the difference between "a hint of trepidation" and "a sense of trepidation"?

"A hint of trepidation" implies a slight or subtle feeling, whereas "a sense of trepidation" suggests a more defined and conscious awareness of fear or anxiety.