hinted by

USAGE SUMMARY

"hinted by" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to indicate that something was revealed or suggested in an indirect or subtle way. For example, "The true identity of the criminal was hinted by an overheard conversation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

That such freedom in dance might hold dangers is hinted by the fate of Nijinsky, institutionalised for 30 years.

The Guardian - Books

And even those who declined to discuss any long-buried novels hinted, by their tone, that the Hand of Dread had visited them, too.

The New York Times - Books

But officials hinted, by the end of the day, that Mr. Baker might be able to show flexibility to countries that write down Iraqi debt.

The New York Times

But the White House hinted, by its actions and its words, that Mr. Bush would not insist on the details of his proposal.

The New York Times

Learning will become more personalised and could achieve better outcomes than ever before – as hinted by some early studies into 'flipped classrooms' and US MOOC initiatives.

The Guardian

No pricing yet, but if it indeed comes in around $23,000 as hinted by the company, that may be scrumptious enough to woo buyers away from the ubiquitous Mini Cooper S. How's it look?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

They could only hint, by front-page juxtapositions of stories and photographs, that Profumo might be connected to Keeler's disappearance.

Wikipedia

Something more gropingly "actual" is hinted at by "making".

The Guardian - Books

Another, more mundane reason was hinted at by Toni Kroos.

The Guardian - Sport

One reason, hinted at by Mr Kennedy's proclamation, is Democratic support.

The Economist

That, at any rate, is what was hinted at by his Caustic Love album of last year.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hinted by" to subtly introduce information or suggest a connection without explicitly stating it. This can add nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "hinted by" when the information is directly stated or obvious. Reserve it for situations where the connection is subtle or requires interpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hinted by" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, adjective, or noun by indicating the source or means through which a subtle indication or suggestion is conveyed. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical structure.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

37%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hinted by" is a useful tool for writers seeking to subtly introduce information or suggest connections without explicit statements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. When using "hinted by", consider alternatives like "implied by" or "suggested by" to achieve the precise level of implication you desire. A key best practice is to ensure that the information being "hinted" at is not already explicitly stated, reserving the phrase for truly subtle indications. Remembering this will prevent overstatement and enhance the nuance of your writing. Ludwig provides various examples to inspire and guide your usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

implied by

This alternative suggests a stronger, though still indirect, indication.

suggested by

This is a general alternative referring to something being proposed or indicated.

indicated by

This implies a more direct sign or signal, though still not explicit.

intimated by

This suggests a subtle and often private communication.

alluded to by

This implies a more indirect and literary reference.

inferred from

This highlights the act of drawing a conclusion from available information.

gleaned from

This suggests gathering information bit by bit, implying careful observation.

derived from

This indicates that something originates or stems from a source, subtly suggesting a connection.

shown by

This suggests a more visible or apparent demonstration.

revealed through

This implies a disclosure that may have been previously hidden or unknown.

FAQs

How can I use "hinted by" in a sentence?

Use "hinted by" to suggest that something was implied or indicated indirectly. For example, "The solution to the puzzle was "hinted by" the cryptic message".

What is a good alternative to "hinted by"?

Alternatives to "hinted by" include "implied by", "suggested by", or "indicated by", depending on the context.

Is "hinted by" formal or informal?

"Hinted by" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, though it is more commonly found in neutral to formal contexts like news articles and academic papers.

What's the difference between "hinted by" and "suggested by"?

"Hinted by" implies a more subtle and indirect indication than "suggested by". "Suggested by" can be more direct, while "hinted by" often requires more interpretation.