hinting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hinting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting or implying something indirectly without stating it outright. Example: "She was hinting at her desire for a promotion during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet here they are in these extraordinary times not hinting but rather heavily briefing that they will not cause trouble for their political opponents in the management of the economy.

The Guardian

One person who may have found it easy to empathise with Khawaja's plight is the former Observer and Independent editor (and MediaGuardian guest editor) Roger Alton, who stepped down from his Times role as executive editor last week, seemingly hinting that he might follow his pal Simon Kelner into PR.

The Guardian

Related: Defiant Sepp Blatter vows to fix Fifa as pressure mounts to resign The Russian president also suggested the charges were in part a retaliation against Fifa for having made his country the host of the 2018 World Cup, hinting at the acrimonious relations between the west and the Kremlin over the Russia's military action in Ukraine.

The Guardian - Sport

But as the opening scene of the season it's a classic, setting up one of the most important storylines – the bodies in the vacants – while hinting at the theme of education with Snoop listening intently to the relative merits of the De Walt 410 and the Hilti DX 460.

The Guardian

Hinting that the government would soon announce plans for the siting of a new runway in the south-east of England and pledging extra investment in roads, railways, broadband, housing and skills, the chancellor said: "It is now within our grasp to make Britain the most prosperous country in the world and the best place to do business.

The Guardian - Business

The Scottish National party leader told a rally in Dumfries on Monday that it would be wrong for it to be made up solely of English MPs, hinting that she expects David Cameron's Tories to win the most seats in Thursday's election.

The Guardian

Senior Liberal Democrats are hinting that they couldn't possibly put Miliband in Number 10 unless Labour is the largest party.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I don't think there's any doubt at all the momentum is with the yes campaign but there is no sense of our campaign taking anything for granted," Sturgeon said, hinting at fears the YouGov poll has raised yes camp expectations too high.

The Guardian

Some members of Letta's centre-left Democratic party (PD) are hinting they may want to draw a line at being in government with a convicted criminal.

The Guardian

Now he's hanging out with Boris Johnson and Grant Shapps, helping the Tories in their hour of need, and hinting that he is in the running to be Conservative candidate for London mayor.

The Guardian - Sport

To be fair, Vince Cable has been hinting at this all week, but on this crucial issue, Clegg had little new to say.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hinting" when you want to suggest something subtly without being direct. This can be useful when tact or diplomacy is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "hinting" excessively, as it can make your writing seem evasive or unclear. Be direct when clarity is essential.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "hinting" is as a verb in its present participle form, often functioning as part of a continuous verb tense or as a gerund. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where "hinting" describes an ongoing action of suggesting something indirectly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hinting" is a versatile verb form used to subtly suggest information without directness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct and commonly found in news, business, and general communication. When using "hinting", consider whether a more direct approach would be clearer, and be mindful of the potential for misinterpretation. Alternative phrases like "implying" or "suggesting" can offer different nuances depending on the context, enhancing the precision of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dropping a hint

Making a subtle suggestion or indication.

implying

Similar in meaning, but often carries a stronger sense of indirect communication.

suggesting

A more general term for putting forward an idea, possibly without explicit intent.

alluding to

Indirectly referring to something, often something well-known.

intimating

Subtly communicating a message, often something delicate or sensitive.

insinuating

Suggesting something negative or unpleasant in an indirect way.

indicating

Showing or pointing out something, possibly indirectly.

giving a clue

Providing a small piece of information that suggests something else.

signaling

Using a signal to convey information, often non-verbally.

tipping off

Giving someone a secret warning or piece of information.

FAQs

How to use "hinting" in a sentence?

You can use "hinting" to suggest something indirectly. For instance, "She was hinting at her desire for a promotion" or "The article was hinting at a possible scandal".

What can I say instead of "hinting"?

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

What's the difference between "hinting" and "implying"?

"Hinting" is generally a more subtle and less direct way of suggesting something, while "implying" can be more forceful or clear, though still indirect. Hinting relies on subtlety, while implying conveys a stronger underlying message.

When is it appropriate to use "hinting" in writing?

Use "hinting" when you want to subtly suggest something without stating it explicitly, such as when discussing sensitive topics or offering a gentle suggestion. Avoid "hinting" when clear, direct communication is necessary.