insinuate that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "insinuate that" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to suggest or imply something without directly stating it. Here is an example: She carefully insinuated that he was lying about his whereabouts last night.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It's unfair of Hewlett to insinuate that there were "racial overtones" to my review, and I deny the insinuation vehemently.

The New York Times

I didn't insinuate that anyone was unintelligent.

The New Yorker

But to insinuate that Hamas are really the good guys?

The New York Times

Insinuate that Mexico is sending rapists to America?

The Washington Post

"Don't want to insinuate that people only oppose you because they resent your success".

The New York Times

Three decades later, Trgovich said it was insulting to insinuate that Phelps had outcoached Wooden.

The New York Times - Sports

I would get some mail that would insinuate that people heard rumors.

The New York Times

Some insinuate that he doesn't love America enough to defend it wholeheartedly.

The Economist

"But," Ms. Gellman added, "it's irresponsible for the F.D.A. to insinuate that supplements aren't regulated.

The New York Times

For some to insinuate that this somehow threatens the agreement is nonsense.

The New York Times

They are probably wrong to insinuate that the Labour government must have been behind the action.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "insinuate that", ensure the context provides enough clues for the audience to understand the intended meaning. Overly subtle insinuations can lead to misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid relying heavily on "insinuate that" in formal or academic writing where clarity and directness are valued. Instead, opt for more explicit statements supported by evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "insinuate that" functions as a verb phrase that introduces a clause expressing an indirect suggestion or hint. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to convey something without explicitly stating it. Examples show its use in suggesting opinions or actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Insinuate that" is a versatile phrase used to indirectly suggest something, often when directness is not desirable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in written English. Its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to scientific writing, although clarity and directness are preferred in formal settings. Related phrases like "imply that" and "suggest that" offer similar meanings but may differ in formality or forcefulness. When employing "insinuate that", ensure the context provides sufficient clues for the intended meaning to be understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

imply that

Indicates a suggestion made indirectly, similar to "insinuate that" but can be more neutral.

suggest that

Offers a less forceful way of hinting at something, often used for tentative suggestions.

hint that

Implies a subtle and indirect suggestion, often relying on context for interpretation.

intimate that

Shares a close meaning to "insinuate that", often used in formal contexts to suggest something delicately.

allude to

Refers to something indirectly, without explicit mention.

imply as much

Indirectly suggests a particular conclusion or understanding.

lead someone to believe

Causes someone to think something is true, often without directly stating it.

give the impression that

Creates a particular idea or feeling in someone's mind, often unintentionally.

convey the idea that

Communicates an idea or feeling in an indirect way.

leave the inference that

Allows a conclusion to be drawn without explicitly stating it.

FAQs

How do you use "insinuate that" in a sentence?

Use "insinuate that" to suggest something indirectly. For example, "He might "insinuate that" the project was failing, but he never said it outright".

What's the difference between "imply that" and "insinuate that"?

"Imply that" means to suggest something indirectly, while "insinuate that" means to suggest something unpleasant or dubious indirectly. The speaker implies, and the listener infers.

What can I say instead of "insinuate that"?

You can use alternatives like "imply that", "suggest that", or "hint that" depending on the context.

Is it better to be direct rather than "insinuate that"?

In formal or professional contexts, directness is often preferred. "Insinuate that" is suitable when subtlety is needed, but clarity is paramount in formal communications.