hunches

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'hunches' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a feeling or intuition about something without any concrete evidence. Example: "Despite not having any evidence, she had a strong hunch that her friend was lying to her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Welbeck deserves, at the very least, the chance to fail properly as a centre-forward, while from Arsenal's perspective the more notable goalscorers in recent Premier League seasons have often tended to be sensibly priced hunches rather than top-dollar sure things.

The Guardian - Sport

When your child hunches over, they keep their head high and flex their neck, holding that position for some time.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He hunches intently over the mike, honestly addressing his audience.

The Guardian - Film

An enthusiastic team player and a charismatic leader, Mr Mulally was also regarded by his colleagues as an engineers' engineer, since he based his decisions on hard data rather than vague hunches.

The Economist

So why did I think "Oooh, he's toast!" Because I am human, and I make most judgments and decisions on the basis of crackpot hunches, the underlying logic of which is almost completely inscrutable to me.

The Economist

Mr Sutton, they hope, will teach managers to steer clear of biased hunches and performance-sapping habits.Mr Sutton's coaching insights range from the mundane 12-hour days offer dimundane 12-hourns—to the arresting: he daysofferdiminishingtreturns to his mostherofitarrestingsions outside the office, making him the rare employee who couldiscoveredy claim thate adding value onetraderlf course.

The Economist

Thousands can place their bets, based on their own hunches and insights.

The Economist

In "Farewell to Reality" the former physicist who left academia but still occasionally writes about science bridles at the ubiquity of what he calls "fairytale physics": the flights of mathematical fancy, based on nothing more than personal taste, that he feels have come to litter the theoretical landscape over the past two decades.Following mathematical hunches can, of course, pay off.

The Economist

They often pursue costly investigations based on hunches, which are usually wrong, he says.

The Economist

"We can make computing more affordable by sharing it," says Dr Stafford-Fraser, as he hunches over a ganglion of wires sprouting from machines in Ndiyo's office.

The Economist

One small proviso: the advantages of keeping your distance will come only if your hunches are as good as Mr Buffett's, your software as dominant as Mr Gates's or your films as popular as Mr Lucas's.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hunches" when referring to feelings or intuitions that lack concrete evidence. Be mindful of the context to ensure it appropriately conveys the sense of a speculative or uncertain belief.

Common error

Avoid presenting "hunches" as definitive truths. Always frame them as speculative or tentative beliefs, especially in formal or professional contexts where accuracy and evidence are paramount.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "hunches" is as a plural noun, referring to feelings or intuitions not based on concrete evidence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is correct and frequently used. It typically describes an intuitive feeling about something, lacking definitive support.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hunches" functions as a plural noun that signifies intuitions or feelings not grounded in concrete evidence. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as scientific writing, its neutral register allows for flexibility, though more formal alternatives may suit strictly academic settings. Remember to wield "hunches" carefully, distinguishing them from facts, and consider context to ensure your communication is both precise and credible. Explore the diverse example sentences provided by Ludwig to refine your understanding and application of this nuanced term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intuitions

Focuses more on instinctive knowledge rather than a reasoned guess.

gut feelings

Emphasizes the instinctive and emotional nature of the feeling.

instincts

Highlights the innate, rather than reasoned, nature of the feeling.

suspicions

Implies a negative feeling or distrust, unlike a neutral hunch.

guesses

A more general term for forming an opinion without sufficient information.

educated guesses

Suggests the guess is based on some knowledge or experience, making it more informed.

assumptions

Suggests something taken for granted, possibly without conscious thought.

informed opinions

Highlights that the opinion is based on some level of understanding or information, even if incomplete.

premonitions

Implies a feeling about a future event, often negative.

presentiments

A feeling that something is about to happen, similar to premonitions but less specific.

FAQs

How can I use "hunches" in a sentence?

You can use "hunches" to describe feelings or intuitions you have about something, for example, "I have a hunch that it's going to rain today" or "The detective was acting on his hunches to solve the case."

What's the difference between "hunches" and "intuitions"?

"Hunches" often refer to a feeling or guess based on limited information, while "intuitions" are typically described as instinctive knowledge that can't be consciously reasoned.

Are "hunches" reliable for making decisions?

While "hunches" can sometimes be correct, they are not always reliable. It is usually better to base decisions on solid evidence and logical reasoning rather than relying solely on your "hunches".

What can I say instead of "hunches"?

Alternatives to "hunches" include "suspicions", "guesses", "assumptions", or "gut feelings", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.