hint of concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hint of concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a subtle indication or suggestion of worry or unease about a situation or topic. Example: "Her voice carried a hint of concern when she asked if I was feeling alright."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Vice

The New York Times

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Lancaster did not betray even a hint of concern.

Independent

In Britain, holiday companies gave no hint of concern.

Independent

They gaze down without a hint of concern.

The Guardian

"I listen for any hint of concern or confusion.

The New York Times - Books

However, he added, "I didn't find anywhere in those affidavits any expression of concern by the plaintiffs' positions for the unborn child — or even a hint of concern on their part.

The New York Times

But as the Red Sox inch further and further ahead, a hint of concern is creeping in about whether the Yankees will be able to hold on to one of the two wild card slots.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Though the candidates are upbeat and say their families are doing fine on the trail, they or their spouses sometimes hint of concerns about raising their children in the harsh environment of a presidential race.

The New York Times

But a few hints of concern may be forming for NBC.

The New York Times - Arts

Researchers implicitly trust librarians with at least hints of concerns the researchers would prefer not be generally known.

Cornell University

Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas, the newly appointed chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, gave no hint of political concern about Mr. Johanns's retirement.

The New York Times

Even food and beverage preferences betrayed a hint of economic concern: topping the edible list was the ever-comforting "ice cream," while boozehounds searched for "martini" to ease their pain.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hint of concern" to express a subtle or understated worry, especially when you want to avoid being overly dramatic or alarmist. It's useful for describing a slight unease or apprehension about a situation or person.

Common error

Avoid using "hint of concern" when the situation warrants a stronger expression of worry or fear. Using it inappropriately can minimize the seriousness of the situation and diminish the impact of your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hint of concern" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object or complement in a sentence. As evidenced by Ludwig, it conveys a subtle indication of worry or unease.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Vice

20%

The New York Times

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hint of concern" is a grammatically sound and useful way to express a subtle worry or apprehension. According to Ludwig, it functions as a noun phrase and is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While not extremely frequent, it allows you to convey a mild degree of unease without being overly dramatic. It is important to remember not to use "hint of concern" when a stronger expression of worry is needed. Instead you may use alternatives such as "trace of worry", "slight apprehension", or "touch of unease".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trace of worry

Replaces "hint" with "trace", implying a slightly fainter indication.

touch of unease

Employs "touch" instead of "hint" and "unease" for "concern", maintaining a subtle indication.

slight apprehension

Substitutes both "hint" and "concern" with synonyms, focusing on the feeling of unease.

tinge of disquiet

Substitutes "hint" with "tinge" and "concern" with "disquiet", conveying a more formal tone.

shade of anxiety

Uses "shade" instead of "hint", and "anxiety" for "concern", suggesting a slightly stronger emotion.

suggestion of anxiety

Replaces "hint" with "suggestion", making the concern a bit more explicit.

glimmer of apprehension

Replaces "hint" with "glimmer", emphasizing the brief and subtle nature of the feeling.

faint worry

Simplifies the phrase, directly stating a slight feeling of worry.

modicum of worry

Employs "modicum" instead of "hint", suggesting a small amount of worry.

whisper of fear

Uses "whisper" to emphasize the subtlety and replaces "concern" with "fear", intensifying the emotion.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "hint of concern" in a sentence?

Employ "hint of concern" to subtly indicate worry without being overly dramatic. For instance, "There was a "hint of concern" in her voice when she mentioned the upcoming deadline."

What are some alternatives to "hint of concern"?

You can use alternatives like "trace of worry", "slight apprehension", or "touch of unease" to express a similar sentiment.

Is it appropriate to use "hint of concern" in formal writing?

Yes, "hint of concern" is suitable for formal writing. It's a nuanced way to express a mild degree of worry or apprehension without resorting to overly emotional language. You can also use "tinge of disquiet" in very formal scenarios.

What is the difference between "hint of concern" and "strong sense of concern"?

"Hint of concern" implies a subtle, understated worry, while "strong sense of concern" indicates a more significant and overt level of worry or apprehension. Use ""hint of concern"" for mild situations and "strong sense of concern" when the situation is more serious.