he was hinting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was hinting" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to indicate that a speaker has offered a subtle suggestion or clue to something without mentioning it directly. For example, "The way he phrased his response made it seem like he was hinting at a deeper meaning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Many people figured he was hinting that this would be his final season.

The New York Times

And already he was hinting at yet larger, visionary ambitions than that.

The Guardian

When Francona discussed Crisp's uncertainty at the plate on Friday, he was hinting at a change that was probably overdue.

The New York Times - Sports

Unfortunately, I have since changed the photo to a rather charming pic of Elin Nordegren, but you can see what he was hinting at.

The Guardian - Sport

Some analysts have contended that he was arrested because he was hinting that he might give evidence of war crimes committed in the final battle against the Tamil Tigers, and the arrest was a way to keep him quiet.

The New York Times

Since his other eight characters are dressed in Maoist gray suits, his Firebird's flame-red costume leads me to assume that he was hinting — or at least encouraging audiences to infer — that his Firebird might be the galvanizing spirit of communism.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Any reasonable person can tell what he's hinting at there.

The Guardian - Opinion

Today he's hinting at the spherical OREO Balls, which I've mainly seen at cinema snack stands.

The New York Times

He is hinting he may not play in the Penguins' season finale in Washington on Saturday night.

The New York Times - Sports

For all his talk of only seeking a level playing field for native applicants, I think he is hinting that employers are unreasonably shunning Britons.

The Economist

Storytelling, he is hinting, is both habit-forming and empowering; and the nuances, byways and corruptions of power are The Long Song's most significant theme.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was hinting" to add nuance and subtlety to your writing, especially when describing characters or situations where directness might be inappropriate or ineffective.

Common error

Avoid using "he was hinting" when the subject's communication is already clear or direct. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily convoluted or lacking in confidence. If the subject clearly suggested something, use "he suggested" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was hinting" functions as a reporting verb phrase. It describes the manner in which someone communicated, specifically suggesting that the communication was indirect and subtle. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he was hinting" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase, particularly within news and media contexts, to denote indirect communication or subtle suggestions. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. Alternative phrases such as "he was implying" or "he was suggesting" can be used to add variety, though the appropriateness depends on context. When using "he was hinting", writers should ensure the context clarifies the indirect nature of the communication to avoid ambiguity. Understanding these nuances helps in crafting more precise and effective prose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was implying

Replaces "hinting" with "implying", focusing on indirect suggestion.

he was suggesting

Replaces "hinting" with "suggesting", indicating a more direct, but still subtle, communication.

he was alluding to

Substitutes "hinting" with "alluding to", emphasizing an indirect reference.

he was intimating

Replaces "hinting" with "intimating", suggesting a subtle communication of sensitive information.

he was signaling

Uses "signaling" instead of "hinting", implying a non-verbal or coded message.

he was giving a clue

Replaces "hinting" with a phrase indicating providing a subtle piece of information.

he was dropping hints

Uses the plural form of "hint" to emphasize multiple instances of indirect communication.

he was making veiled references

Replaces "hinting" with a phrase highlighting the obscured or indirect nature of the communication.

he was indicating indirectly

Emphasizes the indirect nature of the indication, replacing "hinting" with a more descriptive phrase.

he was giving an inkling

Substitutes "hinting" with a phrase suggesting a slight or vague suggestion.

FAQs

What does "he was hinting" mean?

"He was hinting" means that someone was suggesting something indirectly, without stating it explicitly. It implies a subtle clue or suggestion.

What can I say instead of "he was hinting"?

You can use alternatives like "he was implying", "he was suggesting", or "he was alluding to" depending on the context.

How do I use "he was hinting" in a sentence?

You can use "he was hinting" to describe someone's indirect communication, such as, "The way he phrased his response made it seem like "he was hinting" at a deeper meaning."

What is the difference between "he was hinting" and "he stated"?

"He was hinting" implies indirect communication, while "he stated" implies a direct, explicit declaration. Hinting is subtle and suggestive, while stating is clear and unambiguous.