hint of sweetness

USAGE SUMMARY

"hint of sweetness" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe anything that has a slight or subtle sense of sweetness. For example, "The delicate chamomile tea had a hint of sweetness."

✓ Grammatically correct

Food writing

Wine/beverage descriptions

Literary descriptions

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Of the tapas we sampled, the aioli accompanying the shrimp tempura carried a hint of sweetness, and vegetable spring rolls were served with a sweet, jammy ginger sauce.

The New York Times

A tomato base is livened up with the addition of chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper, but the addition of brown sugar and sweet Hungarian paprika give this spicy sauce a hint of sweetness, too.

WikiHow

Made with carrots, sweet potatoes, apples and honey, this savory soup with a hint of sweetness and spice is the essence of fall.

Huffington Post

Made with carrots, sweet potatoes, apples and honey, this savory soup with a hint of sweetness and spice is perfect for Rosh Hashanah.

Huffington Post

Applewood bacon imparts a hint of sweetness.

The New York Times - Style

The exterior is sturdy and has a hint of sweetness.

The New York Times - Food

It has a hint of sweetness, just shy of floral, no aftertaste.

The New York Times - Food

Camerano is a semihard goat's milk cheese with a bit of bite and hint of sweetness.

The New York Times - Travel

If you skip the butter, you'll catch the hint of sweetness connoisseurs talk about.

The New York Times - Travel

(The actor is evoked to describe an off-dry wine with a hint of sweetness).

The New York Times

A dozen Sally Lunn muffins, brioche-like pastries with a hint of sweetness, are $3.75.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "hint of sweetness" to denote a slight positive quality in an otherwise potentially negative or neutral situation. For instance, "Despite the somber tone, there was a hint of sweetness in her memory of childhood."

Common error

Avoid using "hint of sweetness" too frequently in the same piece of writing, as it can become repetitive. Instead, vary your descriptions by using synonyms like "touch of sweetness" or "trace of sweetness" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hint of sweetness" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object of a preposition. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in describing a subtle sweet flavor or quality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Lifestyle

20%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Travel

7%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hint of sweetness" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a subtle presence of sweet flavor or quality. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in food and beverage descriptions, and even metaphorically to add nuance to other descriptions. It's important to remember that while synonyms like "touch of sweetness" or "trace of sweetness" exist, overusing the phrase can lead to repetitiveness. Given its wide use in reputable news sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, it's a safe and effective choice for both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

touch of sweetness

Emphasizes a very small amount of sweetness, similar to "hint", but potentially more delicate.

trace of sweetness

Suggests an even more subtle presence of sweetness, almost imperceptible.

dash of sweetness

Implies a quick and small addition of sweetness, often intentional.

note of sweetness

Used more in descriptive or sensory contexts, like describing flavors or scents.

whisper of sweetness

Emphasizes the subtlety and delicacy of the sweetness.

element of sweetness

Focuses on sweetness as one component within a larger flavor profile.

undertone of sweetness

Suggests a background or underlying sweetness that supports other flavors.

nuance of sweetness

Highlights the subtle and complex nature of the sweetness.

tinge of sweetness

Similar to hint, but more specifically related to a coloring or shading.

smidgen of sweetness

An informal way to convey a tiny amount of sweetness.

FAQs

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

You can use "hint of sweetness" to describe a subtle sweet flavor in food or drink, or metaphorically to suggest a slight positive quality in a situation. For example, "The sauce had a hint of sweetness" or "There was a hint of sweetness in her voice as she spoke of her childhood."

What can I say instead of "hint of sweetness"?

You can use alternatives like "touch of sweetness", "trace of sweetness", or "note of sweetness" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "hint of sweetness"?

Yes, "hint of sweetness" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English. It functions as a noun phrase describing a subtle quality.

When is it appropriate to use "hint of sweetness" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "hint of sweetness" when you want to describe something that has a very subtle, almost imperceptible sweet taste or quality. It is suitable for food writing, literary descriptions, and everyday conversation.