hinting it was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hinting it was" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to suggest that something was implied or suggested, but it lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "She was hinting it was time to leave, but I wasn't ready to go yet."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Well, as I've hinted, it's extremely vague.

Yale University

Has hinted it is in the market for acquisitions.

Forbes

(Hint: it was last year).

The New York Times

Hint: It wasn't Julia Child.

The New York Times - Magazine

Hint: it was at the combine.

The New York Times

(Hint: it was not the rat).

The New York Times

(Hint: it was Darrell).

TechCrunch

(Hint, it was you!).

Huffington Post

Hint: It was a lovefest.

HuffPost

Here's a hint: It was lobbyists.

HuffPost

(Here's a hint: It was "Rick Scott").

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "hinting it was" in formal writing. Opt for more grammatically sound alternatives such as "implying it was" or "suggesting it was" to maintain clarity and professionalism.

Common error

Using "hinting it was" can sound awkward and ungrammatical. Ensure the verb form is correct by using "implying" or "suggesting" instead, which properly connect the action with the implied information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hinting it was" functions as a verbal phrase attempting to convey indirect communication or implication. However, this construction is grammatically non-standard and less clear compared to alternatives. Ludwig AI indicates that it lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hinting it was" is a grammatically incorrect and non-standard way to express indirect communication. Ludwig AI confirms its lack of clarity and proper structure, suggesting alternatives like "implying it was" or "suggesting it was". Due to its informality and grammatical issues, it is best to avoid this phrase in formal writing. When aiming to subtly suggest something, opt for more grammatically sound and widely accepted alternatives to ensure your message is clear and professional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Implying it was

Replaces "hinting" with "implying", which is a more direct and grammatically standard verb form.

Suggesting it was

Uses "suggesting" instead of "hinting", providing a clearer and more acceptable alternative.

Alluding to the fact that it was

Adds "alluding to the fact that" to emphasize the indirect nature of the suggestion.

Indicating it was

Employs "indicating" as a more formal synonym for "hinting", providing a slightly stronger implication.

Intimating that it was

Replaces "hinting" with "intimating", suggesting a subtle and indirect communication.

Giving the impression it was

Shifts the focus to the impression created, rather than the act of hinting itself.

Leaving the impression it was

Focuses on the lingering feeling or idea that remains after a subtle suggestion.

Signaling that it was

Uses "signaling" to suggest a deliberate, though subtle, communication of information.

Dropping a hint that it was

Emphasizes the indirectness of the communication by explicitly mentioning a "hint".

Subtly suggesting it was

Adds "subtly" to underscore the understated nature of the suggestion.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically correct way to say "hinting it was"?

Instead of "hinting it was", use phrases like "implying it was" or "suggesting it was" to ensure proper grammar.

Is "hinting it was" considered formal English?

No, "hinting it was" is not considered formal English. It's better to use more standard alternatives such as "suggesting it was" or "indicating it was" in formal contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "hinting it was"?

Given that this phrase is grammatically unconventional, it's best to avoid using "hinting it was" altogether and opt for clearer, more standard English phrases.

What's the difference between "hinting it was" and "suggesting it was"?

"Suggesting it was" is a grammatically correct phrase that means implying something indirectly. "Hinting it was" is non-standard and should be avoided in favor of alternatives like "implying it was" or "suggesting it was".