hinting at

USAGE SUMMARY

"hinting at" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are suggesting something without directly stating it. For example, "He gave her a sly wink, hinting at what he wanted to do next."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But there was nothing hinting at trouble.

The New York Times

Thomas Müller is again hinting at top class.

Independent

Trump is instead hinting at a crusade.

The New Yorker

An eccentric, he suddenly resigned, hinting at "terrible forces".

The Economist

Before long Rihanna's Instagram feed was hinting at intimate contact.

The New York Times

"Pelléas" begins with bare chords hinting at medieval sacred music.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Lardière plunged right in, only hinting at the elegiac.

The New York Times - Food

Winding staircases and sculpted pillars hinting at faded grandeur?

The New York Times - Arts

Indeed, he already appears to be hinting at this.

The New Yorker

We still don't know what they are hinting at.

The Washington Post

Anne Applebaum: Trump is hinting at concessions to Putin.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and audience when using "hinting at". Ensure that the suggestion is clear enough to be understood, but not so obvious that it loses its impact.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "hinting at" without providing enough context or clarity. Overuse can lead to confusion or frustration for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hinting at" functions as a verb phrase that introduces an element of indirection or subtlety. It's used to suggest something without explicitly stating it. Ludwig AI confirms this, as the phrase is commonly used to suggest something subtly rather than stating it directly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

22%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hinting at" is a versatile phrase used to suggest something indirectly. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and very common in various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science. When writing, use "hinting at" to add nuance, but avoid overuse to maintain clarity. Alternatives such as "implying" or "suggesting" can be used depending on the desired level of subtlety. Remember that while the phrase is widely accepted, providing enough context is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

implying

Focuses on suggesting something without explicitly stating it.

suggesting

A more general term for putting an idea forward, which can be direct or indirect.

alluding to

Indicates a reference to something, often indirectly or subtly.

intimating

Similar to implying, but can also suggest a warning or threat.

insinuating

Suggests something unpleasant or negative in an indirect way.

giving a clue

Focuses on providing a small piece of information that suggests something.

dropping a hint

Similar to giving a clue, but emphasizes the casualness of the suggestion.

signaling

Emphasizes the act of sending a signal or indication.

leaving a trace

Suggests something is indirectly revealed through subtle evidence.

pointing towards

Suggests that something indicates a particular direction or outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "hinting at" in a sentence?

"Hinting at" is used to suggest something indirectly. For example, "The article was hinting at a possible scandal within the company."

What's a good alternative to "hinting at"?

Alternatives to "hinting at" include "implying", "suggesting", or "alluding to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "hinting at" formal or informal?

"Hinting at" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of your writing.

How does "hinting at" differ from stating directly?

"Hinting at" involves suggesting something indirectly, whereas stating directly means expressing something explicitly and without ambiguity. The choice depends on whether you want to be subtle or straightforward.