he intimates that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he intimates that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to convey that someone is suggesting or hinting at something indirectly. Example: "In his speech, he intimates that there may be changes coming to the policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 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

"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

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 she has pushed her product so well that 7th on Sixth is being shopped, something she doesn't deny.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

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On several occasions, he intimated that, as part of this coming together, certain U.S. sanctions could be relaxed or rescinded.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

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and audience when using "he intimates that". While appropriate for news articles and analytical writing, it might be too formal for casual conversations or informal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "he intimates that" when the person's statement is direct and explicit. This phrase is reserved for situations where the meaning is implied, not stated outright. Using it incorrectly can weaken your argument and confuse readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he intimates that" functions as a clause introducer, signaling that the speaker is providing an interpretation of someone else's implied meaning. Ludwig provides examples from varied sources where this phrase clarifies indirect communication. It presents someone's subtle suggestion without directly quoting them.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he intimates that" is a useful phrase for signaling an indirect suggestion or hint. It is grammatically correct and primarily appears in News & Media and Scientific contexts. While the phrase isn't overly common, it's valuable for adding nuance and interpretation to writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is well-regarded and serves to decode and analyze subtle communication, making it essential for analytical and interpretive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he suggests that

Replaces "intimates" with "suggests", indicating a more direct but still subtle form of communication. It is a synonym with high similarity.

he implies that

Uses "implies" instead of "intimates", focusing on the listener's interpretation of the message rather than the speaker's intention.

he hints that

Substitutes "intimates" with "hints", suggesting a more subtle and indirect suggestion. Highly similar in meaning.

he indicates that

Replaces "intimates" with "indicates", implying a clear but not explicit sign or signal. Similar meaning but slightly more formal.

he alludes to

Uses "alludes to", emphasizing a reference to something without explicitly mentioning it. Adds a literary or sophisticated tone.

he conveys the impression that

This longer phrase emphasizes the effect on the audience, focusing on the impression created rather than the direct statement.

he gives the idea that

A more informal way of saying "he intimates that", suitable for casual contexts.

he whispers that

Replaces "intimates" with "whispers", suggesting secrecy or confidentiality in the communication.

he signals that

Substitutes "intimates" with "signals", emphasizing a non-verbal or indirect form of communication.

he leads you to believe that

Focuses on the persuasive aspect, suggesting manipulation or influence in the communication.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone "intimates" something?

When someone intimates something, they suggest it indirectly or subtly, without stating it explicitly. It's a way of hinting at a meaning or intention.

How can I use "he intimates that" in a sentence?

You can use "he intimates that" to introduce an interpretation of someone's statement or behavior, suggesting they are hinting at something. For example: "In his speech, "he intimates that" there may be changes coming to the policy."

What's the difference between "he intimates that" and "he states that"?

"He states that" indicates a direct and explicit statement, while ""he intimates that"" suggests an indirect or subtle hint. The former is clear, the latter requires interpretation.

What are some alternatives to "he intimates that"?

You can use alternatives like "he suggests that", "he implies that", or "he hints that" depending on the context.