had an inkling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'had an inkling' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a feeling or suspicion that something is true or will happen without having proof or evidence. For example, "I had an inkling that my promotion was coming, but I had no solid proof."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I had an inkling.

The New Yorker

My mother had an inkling, though.

The New York Times

Still, he may have had an inkling.

The Guardian

He also had an inkling of Flood's future plans.

Independent

Olly Alexander had an inkling that Ben Whishaw could dance.

Independent

"I'd had an inkling in the April," he said.

Independent

Having said that, perhaps my mother had an inkling.

The Guardian

She had an inkling that something might go wrong.

The New York Times

If I had an inkling that he'd done something wrong, I would have turned him in".

The New York Times

"Looking back, the first time I had an inkling was immediately after that first debate.

The Guardian

I had an inkling of the horror to ensue that night.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had an inkling" when you want to express a subtle feeling or suspicion that doesn't have concrete evidence. It adds a touch of nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "had an inkling" when you possess definitive proof or strong evidence. The phrase suggests a faint suspicion, so it's unsuitable for situations where you have solid information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had an inkling" functions as a verb phrase indicating a subtle or intuitive feeling about something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this idiom implies a level of uncertainty, suggesting a hunch rather than concrete knowledge. Examples throughout Ludwig illustrate its use in expressing anticipation or suspicion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had an inkling" is a versatile phrase used to express a subtle feeling or suspicion without concrete evidence. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media. Alternatives such as "had a hunch" or "had a suspicion" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. When using this phrase, ensure that you're referring to a vague feeling, not a certainty. Avoiding overstatement ensures that your writing remains precise and effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had a hunch

Replaces "inkling" with "hunch", implying a strong intuitive feeling.

had a suspicion

Replaces "inkling" with "suspicion", suggesting a distrustful feeling about something.

had a feeling

A more general phrase, replacing "inkling" with "feeling", indicating an emotional sense.

sensed something

Uses "sensed" to convey a perception of something without clear evidence, instead of having an "inkling".

had a premonition

Indicates a feeling that something, usually bad, is going to happen.

suspected something

Directly states a feeling of suspicion, replacing the more nuanced "inkling".

had a clue

Suggests a slight understanding or hint about something, replacing "inkling".

anticipated something

Implies expecting something beforehand, somewhat similar to having an "inkling".

foresee something

Indicates the ability to see or predict something in the future.

intimated something

Suggests something subtly or indirectly, rather than a direct suspicion or feeling.

FAQs

How to use "had an inkling" in a sentence?

"Had an inkling" is used to indicate a slight suspicion or feeling about something without concrete evidence. For example, "I "had an inkling" that the project would be delayed, but I wasn't sure why."

What can I say instead of "had an inkling"?

You can use alternatives like "had a hunch", "had a suspicion", or "had a feeling" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "had an inkling" or "has an inkling"?

"Had an inkling" is the past tense form, used to describe a feeling or suspicion in the past. "Has an inkling" is the present tense form, used to describe a current feeling or suspicion. Both are grammatically correct, but their use depends on the timing of the feeling.

What's the difference between "had an inkling" and "knew"?

"Had an inkling" implies a vague feeling or suspicion, while "knew" suggests certainty and definite knowledge. If you ""had an inkling"", you suspected something but weren't sure. If you "knew", you possessed certain information.