hints

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "hints" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to suggestions or clues about something. For example, "She dropped hints about her birthday plans." Alternative expressions include "clues" and "suggestions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

9) Be aware too that even if you remove explicit mentions of your name, a determined searcher may be able to dig up your past through leftover postings and hints of whatever sort.

The Guardian - Tech

There are hat tips to other horror-score masters here, with Remurdered using John Carpenteresque synths, while Deesh has hints of Goblin's scary pulsating psych.

The Guardian - Music

Related: Tony Abbott hints at welfare shakeup as furore over parental leave continues "It just won't work the way it has been announced.

The Guardian

Voters are left distilling from the frenzy hints about where leaders would take the country.

The Guardian - Opinion

Related: Spotify data hints at a 'musical midlife crisis' for 42-year-old music fans Spotify is now hoping to be the music service that helps you get fit, just as Apple and Google are hoping to run the smartwatches that help you get fit.

The Guardian - Tech

"We are grateful for his influence, his tips and his little hints as to what we might do better in any situation.

The Guardian - Sport

In Redmayne's award-winning performance, there are subtle hints that something was awry from the off.

The Guardian

But the king reminds him that he is from a famously unstable family and hints that Monrad's own recklessness is to blame for the tragedy we have watched unfolding.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Britain, France and the US proposed a rival resolution with the one-sided elements that provoked earlier Russian and Chinese vetoes – punishment of Assad if he did not comply, threats of new sanctions, no word of pressure on the opposition and veiled hints of eventual military force by referring to chapter seven of the UN charter.

The Guardian - Opinion

The film hints at the scale of the challenge that faced Hawking's wife as the disease crept inexorably into him.

The Guardian - Opinion

The hints of an answer might be found in the story of the love affair that changed everything.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hints" as a noun to describe subtle or incomplete information that requires the reader to infer the full meaning.

Common error

While often used interchangeably, do not use "hints" when you are providing a direct, step-by-step instruction; "hints" implies a level of subtlety that might be insufficient for a user needing explicit guidance. Use "tips" or "instructions" for clarity in those cases.

Linguistic Context

"hints" functions as either a plural count noun or the third-person singular present form of the verb "hint". In the examples provided by Ludwig, it is frequently used to indicate a subtle suggestion or an indirect reference. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a standard, versatile word in the English language.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Social Media

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"hints" is a highly effective and versatile term that serves both as a plural noun and a verb. Ludwig AI indicates that it is an essential word for expressing subtle or indirect information, particularly in the context of high-level journalism and professional writing. Whether you are "dropping "hints"" to suggest a meaning or observing how a piece of data ""hints" at" a conclusion, the word provides a nuanced way to handle uncertainty or complexity. Its frequent appearance in prestigious sources like The Guardian and The Economist underscores its reliability and broad utility for any writer looking to add depth and subtlety to their prose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clues

Focuses more on evidence used to solve a specific mystery or problem

suggestions

Implies a more intentional and direct proposal of an idea

tips

Generally refers to practical pieces of advice or insider information

indications

More formal and suggests observable signs that point to a conclusion

inklings

Refers to a very slight or vague suspicion or notion

traces

Emphasizes a very small amount or a vestige of something

signals

Suggests a more active transmission of information or intent

intimations

A sophisticated term for making something known indirectly

allusions

Refers specifically to indirect references, often in a literary context

insinuations

Often carries a negative connotation of suggesting something unpleasant

FAQs

How to use "hints" in a sentence?

You can use it as a noun, for example: "She gave several "hints" about what she wanted for her birthday." Or as a verb: "The evidence "hints" at a much larger problem."

What can I say instead of "hints"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "clues", "suggestions", or ""tips"".

Which is correct, "give hints" or "make hints"?

The most natural collocation is to "give hints" or "drop hints". To "make hints" is generally considered non-standard.

What is the difference between "hints" and "clues"?

While similar, "clues" usually refer to specific pieces of evidence in a puzzle or investigation, whereas "hints" are more often subtle suggestions or indirect pieces of advice.