a hunch of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a hunch of" is not correct and not commonly used in written English.
It is likely a misinterpretation of "a hunch" which refers to a feeling or intuition about something, without needing a quantifier like "of." Example: "I have a hunch that it will rain tomorrow."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It's only a hunch, of course.

The Guardian

It's only a hunch, of course, that Blair's fundamental wrongness will be the judgment of history.

The Guardian - Opinion

In 1993 he set up a research group within ESP to pursue a hunch of his: that customers wanted to be able to put together their own software solutions with a "Lego set" of building blocks.

The Economist

Just a hunch of mine.

TechCrunch

"Most of us have a hunch of what we could do to make our lives better, or to make ourselves happier," she told me earlier this week.

TechCrunch

Apple apparently already had a hunch of when the billion mark was going to be passed, because the billionth app celebration page was already ready to go.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The decision to push the controversial amendments now may have reflected a hunch on the part of Mrs Dorries and others that, with a relatively conservative prime minister in Number 10, the time was ripe for a change.

The Economist

"I'm not just going to sit down and let someone or a group of people or an organization take away my livelihood because of a hunch, because of a thought, because of somebody who is trying to show their power," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm not just going to sit down and let someone or a group of people or an organization take away my livelihood because of a hunch, because of a thought, because of somebody who is trying to show their power," Jones said that day.

The New York Times - Sports

He sent in Theo Walcott on a hunch worthy of Poirot.

Independent

My shoulders were a bit like this" — McIlroy imitated a hunch — "sort of like I didn't want the outside world to get in instead of embracing the situation and saying: 'You know, I've got a four-shot lead at the Masters.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "a hunch of" in formal writing. Opt for more grammatically sound alternatives such as "a hunch" or "a feeling that".

Common error

The phrase "a hunch of" is often misused, possibly influenced by similar phrases like "a bunch of" or "a lot of". Remember that "hunch" already implies a feeling or intuition, so the addition of "of" is usually unnecessary and grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a hunch of" functions as a noun phrase, attempting to express a feeling or intuition. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, it is not a standard or grammatically correct construction. The intended meaning is often better conveyed using other phrases.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

33%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a hunch of" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Although Ludwig AI provides examples of its usage across various sources, it is advisable to avoid this phrase in formal writing. Instead, opt for alternatives like "a feeling that", "an intuition about", or simply "a hunch" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. While its intended purpose is to convey intuition, the phrase's non-standard structure undermines effective communication. It's predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, but even then, more precise alternatives are recommended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an intuition about

Substitutes "hunch" with "intuition", emphasizing instinctual understanding without concrete evidence.

a feeling that

Replaces "hunch" with a more general term for intuition, focusing on a subjective sensation.

a sense that

Similar to "a feeling that", but may imply a more subtle or vague awareness.

an instinctive feeling regarding

Combines instinct and emotion, suggesting a natural or inherent sense about a situation.

a gut feeling about

Highlights an instinctive, emotional response or belief, often difficult to articulate logically.

an inkling of

Suggests a slight suspicion or vague idea about something, less forceful than a strong hunch.

a premonition of

Emphasizes a feeling that something, often negative, will occur; stronger than a simple hunch.

a nagging feeling about

Highlights a persistent and bothersome intuition, often related to unresolved issues or concerns.

a funny feeling about

Indicates a strange or unsettling intuition, often implying uncertainty or unease.

a suspicion regarding

Focuses on a distrustful feeling or belief, often related to potential wrongdoing or deception.

FAQs

Is "a hunch of" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "a hunch of" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use "a hunch", "a feeling that", or "an intuition about".

What's a more appropriate way to express "a hunch of"?

Instead of "a hunch of", consider using alternatives like "a feeling that", "an intuition about", or simply "a hunch".

When can I use the word "hunch" correctly?

You can use "hunch" correctly by saying "I have a hunch", "She acted on a hunch", or "It was just a hunch". The word implies an intuition or feeling.

Are there situations where "a hunch of" might be acceptable?

While not standard English, "a hunch of" might appear in informal contexts, though it's still advisable to use grammatically correct alternatives for clarity and professionalism. When in doubt, opt for "a feeling that" or "an intuition about".