he has hinted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he has hinted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that someone has suggested something indirectly or subtly without stating it outright. Example: "During the meeting, he has hinted at possible changes in the company's direction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He has hinted he may enter politics.

The New York Times

He has hinted at an awareness of these difficulties.

The New Yorker

He has hinted at revenge (translation: more butchered innocents).

The Economist

He has hinted at a possible return in this series.

The New York Times

He has hinted that he may do so.

The New York Times

Now, however, he has hinted that he may run in 2012.

The Economist

In recent days, he has hinted that Genzyme might be amenable to divesting some businesses.

The New York Times

But he has hinted at interest in a return to the moon.

The Washington Post

Mr. Assad has yet to declare his candidacy, although he has hinted that he will.

The New York Times

(He has hinted that the crime was motivated by jealousy or resentment, but it remains unsolved).

The New York Times - Arts

He has hinted strongly in recent days that he will stand for re-election in 2006.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he has hinted", ensure the context provides some indication of what was hinted at. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "he has hinted" repeatedly without providing any context or specific information about the hint. This can make your writing vague and uninformative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he has hinted" functions as a reporting verb phrase, indicating that a subject has communicated something indirectly or subtly. As shown by Ludwig, this construction allows for conveying information without explicit assertion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he has hinted" is a versatile tool for indicating indirect communication, frequently appearing in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. While it is advisable to provide context to avoid ambiguity, overusing the phrase without specifics can diminish writing quality. Alternative phrases such as "he implied" or "he alluded to" offer subtle variations in meaning and formality. Understanding the nuances of "he has hinted" enables writers to convey information with precision and finesse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he implied

Direct substitution of 'hinted' with 'implied', focusing on the act of suggesting something without explicitly stating it.

he suggested subtly

Adds 'subtly' to emphasize the indirectness of the suggestion, making it less overt.

he alluded to

Replaces 'hinted' with 'alluded to', indicating a more indirect and often literary reference.

he intimated

Uses 'intimated' to suggest a delicate or subtle way of communicating something.

he gave the impression

Shifts the focus to the receiver's perception, rather than the speaker's action.

he dropped a hint

Uses a more colloquial expression, focusing on the action of 'dropping' a subtle clue.

he signaled indirectly

Replaces 'hinted' with 'signaled indirectly', emphasizing the use of signals rather than direct statements.

he let it be known

Suggests a passive way of conveying information, allowing something to become known without explicitly stating it.

he vaguely mentioned

Emphasizes the lack of detail in the communication, making it less precise.

he gestured towards

Indicates a non-verbal form of suggestion, using actions or gestures to imply something.

FAQs

How can I use "he has hinted" in a sentence?

You can use "he has hinted" to suggest that someone has communicated something indirectly. For example, "During the interview, "he has hinted" at a possible promotion".

What's a good alternative to "he has hinted"?

Alternatives include "he implied", "he suggested subtly", or "he alluded to", depending on the level of formality and subtlety you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "he hinted at" or "he has hinted at"?

"He hinted at" and "he has hinted at" are both grammatically correct. "He hinted at" is past tense, while "he has hinted at" is present perfect, indicating an action that started in the past and continues to have relevance in the present.

What is the difference between "he has hinted" and "he stated"?

"He has hinted" implies indirect communication, while "he stated" implies a direct and explicit declaration. Hinting is subtle and suggestive, whereas stating is clear and straightforward.