a hint of which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a hint of which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer back to something previously mentioned, indicating a subtle suggestion or trace of that thing. Example: "The painting features vibrant colors, a hint of which can be seen in the artist's earlier works."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Mr. Harding, 66, declined to give a hint of which way he was leaning.

The New York Times

The pop vitality of the Brazilian "City of God," which is also an assault on corruption, finally has the optimism of young people; its look at wild youth offers the promise of a future, a hint of which was evident even in Hector Babenco's "Pixote".

The New York Times

There is a lot that could go wrong, a hint of which came from recent violent protests by Bolivians over price increases by a foreign-owned water utility.

Forbes

There are 32 filings so far this year, some running to hundreds of pages, and nary a hint of which includes the SAI.

Forbes

The board of directors of Post Properties, an Atlanta-based multifamily real estate investment trust, has spent the past month mulling a $2 billion buyout offer with nary a hint of which way they are leaning.

Forbes

Despite Donald Trump's impoverished view of Mexicans, they have a rich culture, only a hint of which has begun to make itself known among us gringos.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

They spoke little and only occasionally, in short sentences that never became conversation or dialogue, any hint of which died a natural death, interrupted by the attention that the woman was giving to her body, in which she was utterly absorbed, and by the indirect attention that the man, too, was giving to her body, through his camera lens.

The New Yorker

Particularly powerful in Manolis' repertoire in this show is his series of challenging and dramatic canvases that are limited specifically to black and white pigment, which are like Franz Kline's glorious experiments without a hint of color, which still are considered his best works and continue to supersede in value any other variety of Kline's work at auction, even today.

Huffington Post

His voice carries a hint of guardedness, which is not surprising to me.

The Guardian

The Evergreen Estate Ceylon is a black tea with a hint of vanilla, which gives it a wonderful aroma.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Kohan has a deep, occasionally prickly aversion to even a hint of censorship, which goes back to her childhood.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a hint of which" to subtly allude to something previously mentioned, adding depth without being overly explicit. This works well in descriptive or analytical writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a hint of which" too frequently, as it can make your writing seem overly indirect or vague. Balance subtle allusions with more direct statements for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a hint of which" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or clause. It indicates a subtle suggestion or trace related to something previously mentioned, as evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a hint of which" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that subtly alludes to something previously mentioned. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves to imply a connection or indication without being overly explicit. While not extremely common, it appears consistently across various contexts, especially in News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and avoid overuse to maintain the subtlety it intends to convey. Alternatives like "a touch of which" or "a trace of which" can provide similar nuances depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a touch of which

Replaces "hint" with "touch", emphasizing a lighter, more delicate suggestion.

a trace of which

Substitutes "hint" with "trace", highlighting a faint or barely perceptible indication.

a suggestion of which

Replaces "hint" with "suggestion", making the indication more explicit but still subtle.

an inkling of which

Uses "inkling" instead of "hint", implying a vague or intuitive understanding.

a glimmer of which

Replaces "hint" with "glimmer", suggesting a brief or fleeting indication.

an indication of which

Substitutes "hint" with "indication", making the suggestion more formal and direct.

a suspicion of which

Uses "suspicion" instead of "hint", implying a belief based on limited evidence.

a shadow of which

Replaces "hint" with "shadow", suggesting a vague or incomplete indication.

a flavor of which

Uses "flavor" to suggest a characteristic or quality that is subtly present.

an element of which

Substitutes "hint" with "element", focusing on a component or aspect that is subtly included.

FAQs

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

Use "a hint of which" to refer back to a previously mentioned element, suggesting a subtle presence or indication. For example: "The dish had a complex flavor profile, "a hint of which" came from the exotic spices".

What can I say instead of "a hint of which"?

You can use alternatives such as "a touch of which", "a trace of which", or "a suggestion of which" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "a hint of which" is suitable for formal writing, especially when you want to allude to something subtly rather than stating it directly. However, ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity.

What's the difference between "a hint of which" and "a suggestion of which"?

"A hint of which" implies a more subtle and understated indication, while "a suggestion of which" is slightly more direct and explicit but still not a complete statement.