he intimated that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he intimated that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to convey that someone has suggested or hinted at something indirectly. Example: "During the meeting, he intimated that there might be changes to the project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

On several occasions, he intimated that, as part of this coming together, certain U.S. sanctions could be relaxed or rescinded.

The New Yorker

He intimated that Goldman likely used the phrase many more times in other documents not reviewed by his panel.

Huffington Post

(He intimated that he did).

The New Yorker

He intimated that it would all be over soon.

The Guardian

And he intimated that Toronto would be bidding again.

The New York Times - Sports

"He intimated that I didn't know what I was talking about," the man said.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

He intimates that, as a pure liberal, he is positioned to negotiate a Nixon-to-China Nixon-to-China Nixon-to-Chinaost of public employee benefits on a sustainable footingrand

The New York Times

He intimates that the interview may well be over.

The Guardian

And he intimates that a bit of corruption may not be all bad.

The Guardian

Key point: he says he is not bluffing when he intimates that military action may be needed to keep Iran from a bomb.

The Economist

"He intimates that if I hang around long enough, he'll die and I'll get the insurance money," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he intimated that" when you want to express that someone communicated something indirectly, subtly hinting at a message without stating it explicitly.

Common error

While "he intimated that" is a valid phrase, overuse can make writing sound convoluted. Opt for more direct verbs like "suggested", "hinted", or "implied" to maintain clarity and conciseness. This is especially important in formal or business contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he intimated that" functions as a reporting clause, introducing a statement that conveys an indirect suggestion or hint. It's used to report what someone suggested without explicitly stating it, offering a nuanced way of presenting information. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he intimated that" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to report indirect suggestions or hints. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid expression for conveying subtle communication. It is most frequently used in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the subtle and indirect nature of the communication being described. While appropriate, consider using alternatives like "he suggested that" or "he hinted that" for directness or to avoid overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he hinted that

Similar to "intimated" but can imply a more subtle or indirect communication.

he implied that

Focuses on the listener's interpretation of the message, rather than the speaker's intent.

he suggested that

Replaces "intimated" with a more direct term, indicating a clearer suggestion but with less subtlety.

he indicated that

Suggests a less subtle form of communication, making the message more apparent.

he conveyed the idea that

Emphasizes the transmission of an idea, rather than a direct statement.

he signaled that

Implies a clear, though not necessarily verbal, communication of the message.

he alluded to the fact that

Suggests a brief or indirect reference to something, often something already known.

he gave the impression that

Focuses on the perception created by the speaker, rather than the specific message.

he let on that

Informal alternative, suggesting a reluctant or unintentional revelation.

he led one to believe that

Indicates a deliberate attempt to create a certain belief in the listener.

FAQs

What does "he intimated that" mean?

The phrase "he intimated that" means he suggested or hinted at something indirectly, without stating it explicitly. It implies a subtle way of conveying information.

What can I say instead of "he intimated that"?

You can use alternatives like "he suggested that", "he hinted that", or "he implied that" depending on the context and the level of subtlety you want to convey.

Is "he intimated that" formal or informal?

The phrase "he intimated that" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It is suitable for news articles, reports, and academic writing. In very informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "he hinted" might be preferred.

How to use "he intimated that" in a sentence?

Use "he intimated that" to introduce a subordinate clause that contains the indirect suggestion or hint. For example: "During the discussion, he intimated that there might be changes to the project timeline".