clues

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "clues" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to any kind of hint or indicator that can help you find an answer, solve a problem, or come to an understanding. For example, "After piecing together the various clues, the detective was able to solve the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The London Beer Hunt, a "cryptic pub crawl" around east London where participants are given a map, clues and the challenge of finding bottles of craft beer, is another.

The Guardian

The author has very cleverly hidden clues in the story and let us to solve the mystery as well.

The Guardian

The reality is that the clues have been out there for a while.

The Guardian - Sport

Heritage maintains that with a little sense and reading "the visual clues", we can tell who can be approached or who needs a word.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many of those clues are suggestive but not explicit, and some are totally baffling if you're a fan.

The Guardian - Film

But silence offers shareholders no clues on whether Jenkins has discovered his backbone on bonuses.

The Guardian - Business

In many cases, the individuals' names and details about their death were available from records – making it a treasure trove for epidemiologists with valuable clues about how diseases spread in earlier times.

The Guardian

The footage and fall-out have been raked to within an inch of their lives for clues as to the cause of the disagreement, the front-running theory so far being that Jay Z wanted to go to Rihanna's after party (Rihanna of all people! My dear) and that Solange piled in on her sister's behalf, all the better to persuade him to get his sorry arse home.

The Guardian - Opinion

There are so many red herrings and sub plots that you are never sure exactly what is going on, but you just have to keep reading to try to unravel the clues.

The Guardian

Investigators are likely to delve into Lubitz's personal life to uncover any clues about his mental state.

The Guardian

The curators Pickering and Kaus have painstakingly trawled through the records that may accompany bones for clues.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about mysteries or investigations, vary your vocabulary by using synonyms such as "hints", "indications", or "leads" to avoid repetition and enrich your prose.

Common error

Avoid jumping to conclusions based on limited or ambiguous "clues". Always seek corroborating evidence to support your interpretations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "clues" is as a plural noun. It typically serves as the object of a verb or preposition, denoting items that provide guidance in solving a problem or mystery. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

21%

Science

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "clues" is a very common plural noun primarily used to denote hints or pieces of information that aid in solving a mystery or understanding a situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical function is straightforward, and it serves to provide insight and direction. While its register is generally neutral, it is frequently found in news and media contexts, also appearing in business and scientific settings. To enhance your writing, vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "hints" or "leads", but always ensure that your conclusions are well-supported and not based on misinterpreting subtle indicators.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hints

Focuses on subtle indications rather than direct evidence.

indications

Emphasizes the role of pointing towards something, often less concrete.

leads

Highlights the guiding aspect of the information.

evidence

Refers to more concrete and substantial supporting facts.

pointers

Suggests direct and specific pieces of guidance.

signals

Emphasizes the role of communicating information, often subtle.

cues

Focuses on triggers that prompt a specific action or thought.

traces

Implies finding remnants or small amounts of something that suggests more.

signs

General indicators of something happening or being present.

markers

Emphasizes the role of identifying or delineating something.

FAQs

How can I use "clues" in a sentence?

Use "clues" to refer to pieces of evidence or hints that help solve a mystery or problem. For example, "The detective followed the "leads" and gathered the "hints" to solve the case."

What are some synonyms for "clues"?

Alternatives to "clues" include "hints", "indications", "leads", and "evidence". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "clues" and "evidence"?

"Clues" are suggestive pieces of information that point towards a solution, while "evidence" is more concrete and directly supports a claim or theory.

When is it appropriate to use "clues" in formal writing?

"Clues" can be used in formal writing when discussing investigations, research, or analyses where identifying and interpreting indicators is important. However, in highly technical contexts, more precise terms like "indicators" or "evidence" may be preferred.