a hint of understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a hint of understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a subtle or slight indication that someone comprehends a situation or concept. Example: "As she listened to his explanation, there was a hint of understanding in her eyes, suggesting that she was beginning to grasp the complexities of the topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

("You watch too many films is one of the great modern sentences," Smith cleverly writes. "It has in it a hint of understanding regarding what we were before and what we have become").

The New York Times - Books

Stevo added: "Yet again, Vince Cable seems to be the only politician with even a hint of understanding about the problems that led us to where we are, and the reasons not to repeat exactly the same mistakes".

The Guardian - Business

They came across as out of touch and without a hint of understanding of their role in leading generations of students to buy into what is so obviously an immoral approach to participating in and running a world economy.

Huffington Post

In fact, one of the through-lines of Knight's story is that Locke gets not a hint of understanding but rather a ferocious hard time from every single person he talks to.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

As important guiding information, curriculum's structure will provide a bird's view for people to understand its content and give a hint of curricula makers' understanding of organization of a curriculum.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

The detection of a pocket of trapped particles may provide a hint to understanding the mechanism of planet formation.

Science Magazine

A hint of solace for savvy negotiators.

Forbes

"She's understanding," he said, with a hint of the hopeful.

The New York Times - Sports

Authority is embodied by an understanding cop and there is barely a hint of rebellion -- some mild complaining about parents notwithstanding.

The New York Times

A hint of fall in the air, and the curtain is momentarily yanked open, exposing the churning attempt at understanding what happened.

The New York Times

A hint of flexibility.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a hint of understanding", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being understood. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a hint of understanding" when the situation calls for a stronger term like "full comprehension" or "thorough grasp". This prevents misrepresenting the level of comprehension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a hint of understanding" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. As Ludwig AI underlines, it indicates a partial or subtle comprehension, not a complete grasp of a subject or situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a hint of understanding" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a partial or initial comprehension. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, the phrase implies that someone is beginning to grasp a concept without fully understanding it. Remember to use this phrase when you want to convey a subtle indication of comprehension, but be cautious not to overstate the degree of understanding. Alternatives such as ""a glimmer of comprehension"" and ""a trace of awareness"" offer similar nuances, allowing for precise expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a glimmer of comprehension

Emphasizes a faint or initial sign of understanding.

a trace of awareness

Suggests a minimal level of recognition or perception.

a touch of insight

Highlights a small amount of penetrating or intuitive understanding.

a shade of recognition

Implies a slight acknowledgement or awareness.

an inkling of perception

Indicates a vague or uncertain understanding.

a suspicion of comprehension

Highlights an idea is starting to make sense, but there is a bit of doubt.

a dash of perception

Emphasizes the fast and minimal understanding of the concept.

a scent of understanding

Highlights that understanding is present as an indication.

a whisper of insight

Emphasizes the faint and subtle feeling of comprehension.

a shadow of awareness

Indicates that the understanding is there, but it's not too present.

FAQs

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

Use "a hint of understanding" to describe a slight or subtle indication that someone is beginning to grasp a concept. For example, "There was "a hint of understanding" in her eyes as I explained the complex theory".

What phrases are similar to "a hint of understanding"?

Similar phrases include "a glimmer of comprehension", "a trace of awareness", or "a touch of insight". Choose the phrase that best fits the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a hint of understanding" or "complete understanding"?

The choice depends on the context. "A hint of understanding" implies a partial or initial grasp, while "complete understanding" suggests full comprehension. Use the phrase that accurately reflects the situation.

What does "a hint of understanding" imply about the person's knowledge?

It suggests that the person is starting to understand something but doesn't yet have a complete or thorough grasp of it. It indicates progress in comprehension.