have a hunch

USAGE SUMMARY

"have a hunch" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe when you have a feeling or impression about something, but you are not sure if it is true. Example: I have a hunch that my boss will give me a promotion soon.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I have a hunch.

The New York Times - Magazine

Just have a hunch.

The New York Times

I think I have a hunch.

The Guardian - Opinion

I have a hunch which one.

The Guardian

But I have a hunch this story is not over.

The Economist

But I have a hunch McCaw might stick around.

Independent

I have a hunch several big trends are in play.

The Economist

"I have a hunch this is going to be enormous".

The New York Times

I have a hunch why it is happening".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Then I had a hunch.

The New Yorker

Mr. Capo had a hunch.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have a hunch" when you want to express an intuitive feeling that is not based on concrete facts. It's suitable for expressing uncertainty and is less formal than stating a belief.

Common error

Avoid using "have a hunch" when you possess concrete evidence. It's best suited for situations where you lack definitive proof, as it conveys a sense of uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have a hunch" functions as an idiomatic expression used to express an intuition or feeling about something, without concrete evidence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable expression in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have a hunch" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey an intuitive feeling or suspicion without concrete evidence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It functions as an idiomatic way to express a tentative belief, primarily in neutral contexts like news and media, though it can also appear in more informal settings. While generally acceptable, it's best to reserve it for situations where uncertainty is appropriate. Alternatives such as "have a feeling" or "suspect" can be used depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have a feeling

This alternative is a more general way to express an intuition or premonition.

have a suspicion

This alternative implies a negative feeling or distrust related to the intuition.

have a gut feeling

This alternative emphasizes the instinctive nature of the feeling.

sense

This alternative is a more concise way to describe perceiving something intuitively.

suspect

This alternative implies a reasoned but not proven belief.

intuit

This alternative is a more formal and less common way to express gaining knowledge without conscious reasoning.

have a premonition

This alternative suggests a strong feeling that something, usually negative, will happen.

believe

This alternative suggests a level of conviction that may or may not be based on a hunch.

speculate

This alternative indicates forming a theory or conjecture without firm evidence.

presume

This alternative means to assume something is the case based on probability.

FAQs

What does "have a hunch" mean?

To "have a hunch" means to have an intuitive feeling or suspicion about something, without having definite evidence or proof.

How can I use "have a hunch" in a sentence?

You can use "have a hunch" when you want to express a feeling or suspicion that you cannot fully explain. For example, "I "have a hunch" that the meeting will be canceled".

What can I say instead of "have a hunch"?

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

Is it appropriate to use "have a hunch" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "have a hunch" is more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider more precise alternatives such as "suspect" or "believe".