give hints

USAGE SUMMARY

"give hints" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when providing someone with clues or suggestions to help them do something or figure something out. For example: "If you're feeling stuck, I can give you some hints to help you solve the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It won't even give hints.

The New York Times

We compare the results and give hints and conclusions.

Information and Software Technology

(The collectors have trained docents to give hints).

The New York Times - Arts

Finally, we discuss plan execution and give hints of possible future developments.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

Thermodynamic phase diagram and phase amount calculations were performed to give hints for selecting promising candidates.

Journal of Alloys and Compounds

Though he offered little explanation for the decision, Mr. Carlot did give hints.

The New York Times

Others give hints of a change of tune or even redemption.

The New York Times

They are mysteriously not labeled, although most give hints, sometimes quite small, to their location.

The New York Times - Arts

The 49ers don't give hints as to what they're going to do next.

The New York Times - Sports

They are also useful in process design to determine potential difficulties and to give hints for redesign.

European Journal of Control

A red Berkel meat slicer and dangling charcuterie give hints to the provenance.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "give hints", consider the audience and context. In formal settings, subtle hints may be more appropriate, while in informal settings, direct clues might be more effective.

Common error

Avoid being overly subtle when you "give hints", especially if clarity is crucial. Overly vague hints can lead to confusion and misinterpretation, defeating the purpose of offering guidance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give hints" functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of providing indirect suggestions or clues to aid understanding or problem-solving, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

37%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "give hints" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the act of providing indirect clues or suggestions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Its frequency is "very common", spanning across diverse contexts like news, science, academia, and general knowledge. The phrase serves the purpose of guiding or assisting without explicitly stating an answer, promoting independent thinking. While neutral in tone, context dictates the subtlety of the "hints" offered. When using "give hints", consider the audience and avoid excessive indirectness to ensure clarity. Alternatives include "offer clues", "drop a hint", and "provide suggestions", each with slight nuances in formality and directness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offer clues

Replaces "hints" with a more direct synonym, slightly increasing the formality.

provide clues

Similar to "offer clues" but uses "provide", emphasizing the act of giving.

drop a hint

Uses a more idiomatic expression, implying a less direct approach.

give a suggestion

Replaces "hints" with a more explicit term, making it less subtle.

imply subtly

Focuses on the indirectness of the communication.

offer a lead

Emphasizes that the hint is designed to guide someone towards a solution or discovery.

offer an inkling

Uses "inkling" to suggest a vague or uncertain hint.

intimate something

Similar to "imply subtly" but can suggest a more secretive or confidential hint.

provide a nudge

Suggests a gentle prompting or encouragement, rather than a direct clue.

drop breadcrumbs

Uses a metaphorical expression, suggesting a trail of hints.

FAQs

How can I use "give hints" in a sentence?

You can use "give hints" when you want to provide clues or suggestions without explicitly stating something. For example, "The teacher decided to "give hints" to the students struggling with the math problem."

What are some alternatives to "give hints"?

Alternatives to "give hints" include "offer clues", "drop a hint", or "provide suggestions", depending on the level of subtlety you want to convey.

What does it mean to "give hints"?

To "give hints" means to provide indirect clues or suggestions that help someone understand or solve something without explicitly telling them the answer.

Is it better to "give hints" or provide direct instructions?

Whether to "give hints" or provide direct instructions depends on the situation. Giving hints encourages problem-solving and critical thinking, while direct instructions are more suitable when clarity and efficiency are paramount.