hint of interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hint of interest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a subtle indication or suggestion of curiosity or engagement in a particular subject or situation. Example: "During the meeting, she gave a hint of interest when the topic of new projects was introduced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

None of the above have attracted a hint of interest from an IPL franchise.

The Guardian - Sport

Seeing that the owners' revenue-sharing effort was failing to elicit even a hint of interest, he stepped in with his own set of proposals.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Giuliani is prohibited by the city's term limits law from seeking a third term, and his hint of interest in staying as mayor provoked a firestorm of responses from city and state political leaders.

The New York Times

His hint of interest in staying on as mayor -- acknowledging for the first time that he was mulling the possibility -- fueled a burst of responses from city and state political leaders and from the mayoral candidates and their representatives.

The New York Times

But there is no sign in "Gone" that Adler has been to the library, nor any sign either that any of these memoirists ever noticed what the competition had got up to, except when reading the reviews of their own books in the reviled Times -- no hint of interest in the ingenuities of Harold Hayes at Esquire, Willie Morris at Harper's or Jann Wenner at Rolling Stone.

The New York Times - Books

Fannie and Freddie will be a major focus if the officials comment on the current turmoil, and Bernanke's words will be dissected for any hint of interest rate action.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

They can often find potential customers expressing hints of interest in the solutions they sell.

Harvard Business Review

There have also been strong hints of interest in reducing the American military presence.

The New York Times

Hints of interest rate rises in both the UK and US helped take the shine off shares, but better than expected results from Goldman Sachs lifted the banking sector.

The Guardian - Business

Lendl is enjoying the many golf courses in Florida but has been teasing reporters with hints of interest even though the chances of a reunion are slim.

The Guardian - Sport

This was followed by a So viet policy statement March 7, denying any intent to seek nu Clear superiority over the United States, and by Soviet diplomatic hints of interest in a ban on tests or deployment of multiple warhead missiles.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hint of interest" when you want to describe a subtle or indirect expression of curiosity or engagement. It's best suited for situations where the interest isn't overt.

Common error

Avoid using "hint of interest" when the situation warrants a stronger expression of engagement. Using it in situations where genuine enthusiasm is expected can sound insincere or passive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hint of interest" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a subtle or indirect indication of curiosity or engagement.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hint of interest" is a noun phrase used to describe a subtle indication of curiosity or engagement. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts. Given its relatively low frequency, it's important to use it appropriately to convey a nuanced observation without overstating the level of enthusiasm. Alternatives like "trace of interest" or "slight curiosity" can be used depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

faint indication of interest

Highlights the weakness and indirectness of the expression.

trace of interest

Emphasizes the minimal presence or visibility of the interest.

subtle suggestion of interest

Emphasizes the understated and delicate nature of the interest being shown.

slight curiosity

Focuses on the feeling of curiosity rather than the expression of it.

glimmer of interest

Suggests a brief or momentary display of interest.

whisper of interest

Implies a very quiet or barely perceptible expression of interest.

minimal enthusiasm

Conveys a low level of positive emotion or engagement.

passing interest

Indicates a temporary or superficial engagement.

token interest

Suggests a minimal level of interest shown primarily for appearances.

vestige of interest

Implies that the interest is fading or barely remaining.

FAQs

How can I use "hint of interest" in a sentence?

You might say, "She showed a "hint of interest" when I mentioned the new project", indicating a slight curiosity without strong commitment.

What's a good alternative to "hint of interest"?

Consider using phrases like "trace of interest", "slight curiosity", or "faint indication of interest" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "hint of interest" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing subtle reactions or understated engagement in a professional or academic context.

What's the difference between "hint of interest" and "strong interest"?

"Hint of interest" implies a mild or subtle curiosity, while "strong interest" indicates a significant level of engagement and enthusiasm. Use "hint of interest" when the engagement is not overtly expressed or is just beginning.