he hinted at it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he hinted at it" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone suggesting or implying something indirectly without stating it outright. Example: "During the meeting, he hinted at it, but no one was sure what he meant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Robshaw did not acknowledge this in so many words, but he hinted at it when asked how much it would mean to him to end England's long wait for a Grand Slam – a prize that eluded two head coaches in Andy Robinson and Brian Ashton, a manager in Martin Johnson and an entire generation of players.

Independent

But he hinted at it, saying that fans increasingly are recognizing the power of online balloting and using it aggressively.

Forbes

He hinted at it, in a backhanded way, in his talk to the party congress when he told his comrades their time had not passed, appearances to the contrary: "The ideas of Cuban communists," he said, "Will live on to prove that if a country works with dignity and fervor, we can produce the necessary goods for our nation".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

You won't get Dylan to admit that in an interview, but he hints at it.

Los Angeles Times

He sued publications when they hinted at it.

The Guardian - Film

However, the business man argument was new, though he had hinted at it in an interview he gave at the Republican convention.

Wikipedia

His plan for a new anti-Kremlin movement drew catcalls when he first hinted at it earlier this month, and most experts give it scant chance of quick success.

The New York Times

When I interviewed Chris Young a few weeks ago at the Smart Kitchen Summit, the CEO of the cooking education company ChefSteps didn't come out and say that they were about to launch their own cooking device, but he kinda hinted at it.

Forbes

He hinted at corruption and implied it was under some sort of external control, without saying what that meant.

The Economist

Heisler said: "If he resented Leslie as much as he hinted at during season one, it'd become an ongoing thorn in the show's foot that during every single episode.

Wikipedia

He may have hinted at it in something he told a friend.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To give additional impact, consider adding HOW he hinted at the thing or WHAT made his statement an hint.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "he hinted at it" implies full agreement or certainty. A hint is not a commitment; ensure your writing reflects this ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he hinted at it" functions as a verb phrase indicating indirect communication. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to convey that someone suggested something without explicitly stating it. The examples demonstrate its use in various contexts to imply a subtle message.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he hinted at it" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe indirect communication, where a suggestion is made without explicit declaration. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. The phrase, while not overly common, appears in diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, wiki and academia. When using "he hinted at it", ensure that the subtlety of the hint is appropriately conveyed and that it doesn't imply a certainty that doesn't exist. Alternatives like "he alluded to it" or "he implied it" can provide nuanced ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he alluded to it

This alternative uses 'alluded' instead of 'hinted', indicating a more subtle or indirect reference.

he implied it

Using 'implied' suggests that the message was communicated indirectly, possibly through suggestion or insinuation.

he suggested it indirectly

This phrase explicitly states the indirect nature of the suggestion.

he intimated it

This alternative uses 'intimated', which suggests a subtle and indirect way of making something known.

he gave an inkling of it

This alternative indicates a slight suggestion or vague idea of something.

he dropped a hint about it

Using 'dropped a hint' suggests a casual or subtle indication.

he signaled it

This suggests that the information was given with a gesture, action, or sign, rather than direct words.

he gave a clue about it

This indicates that a piece of information was provided that helps reveal something.

he left a suggestion of it

The emphasis is on "he" leaving a suggestion.

he pointed toward it

The focus is on direction/pointing at something.

FAQs

What does "he hinted at it" mean?

The phrase "he hinted at it" means someone indirectly suggested something without stating it explicitly. It implies a subtle indication or clue was given.

How can I use "he hinted at it" in a sentence?

You might use "he hinted at it" like this: "During the meeting, he hinted at it, but no one was sure what he meant."

What are some alternatives to "he hinted at it"?

You can use alternatives like "he alluded to it", "he implied it", or "he suggested it indirectly" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "he hinted at it" or "he stated it directly"?

The choice depends on whether the information was conveyed subtly or explicitly. "He hinted at it" suggests indirect communication, while "he stated it directly" implies clarity and explicitness.