it hints to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it hints to" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to talk about implied or suggested meanings. For example: "The author's use of irony in the text hints to an underlying message of injustice."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

When a player runs such a slow time, it hints to a lack of athleticism.

The New York Times

As an examination of student attitudes toward program design features, this analysis suggests that key objectives are being met and it hints to some challenges for digital learning environments.

F1000Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Adams's note on the front flyleaf is respectful, though it hints at trouble to come.

The New York Times - Books

Instead, it hints at an international conspiracy to sink Mr Aristide.

The Economist

Among others, we speculate that it may hint to a further layer of regulation ruled by another actor, for instance a transcription factor (TF), which is both a repressor of the mRNA and a target of the miRNA.

BMC Systems Biology

Without making it obvious, hint to her that you're single, and therefore available.

WikiHow

And though this young man did not want to discuss it publicly, he hinted to having experienced further traumas, both with his parents and in the foster system.

Huffington Post

And it hinted at more bad news to come.

Forbes

Don't hint to it.

WikiHow

But to Kearns it hinted of romance and offered a relief to the grind of academia.

The New York Times

If abnormally increased SOX4 was found, it hinted that the resistance to cisplatin may exist and another therapeutic schedule should be considered.

Cell Death and Disease

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "it hints to" is understandable, consider using more direct alternatives like "it suggests" or "it implies" for clearer and more concise writing.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on phrases like "it hints to", as it can make your writing seem less assertive. Opt for stronger verbs that directly convey your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it hints to" functions as a linking verb phrase, suggesting an indirect connection or implication. While Ludwig AI considers it acceptable, more direct alternatives like "it suggests" or "it implies" are often preferred.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it hints to" is used to express a subtle suggestion or implication. Ludwig AI considers it acceptable, but notes that more direct alternatives such as "it suggests" or "it implies" are often more effective and grammatically sound. While found in various contexts including news, science, and wiki sources, it is less common in formal or academic writing. When writing, it is generally advisable to choose clearer and more concise alternatives to improve the impact and precision of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it suggests

Replaces "hints to" with the more direct verb "suggests", simplifying the sentence structure.

it implies

Uses "implies" to convey a subtle suggestion, similar to "hints", but often carries a stronger connotation of indirectness.

it indicates

Substitutes "hints to" with "indicates", providing a more formal and direct way to show something points towards a particular conclusion.

it points to

Replaces "hints to" with "points to", suggesting a direction or focus of attention.

it alludes to

Uses "alludes to" to imply a more indirect and subtle reference.

it intimates

Substitutes "hints to" with "intimates", suggesting a delicate or private way of indicating something.

it signals

Replaces "hints to" with "signals", implying a clear but non-explicit indication.

it gives a clue to

Uses a more descriptive phrase, "gives a clue to", to convey the idea of providing a hint.

it leads one to believe

This phrase is a more verbose alternative, expressing the idea that something suggests a particular belief.

it gives the impression of

Conveys that something creates a certain feeling or understanding, functioning similarly to a hint.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "it hints to"?

You can use alternatives like "it suggests", "it implies", or "it indicates" depending on the context.

Is "it hints to" grammatically correct?

While understandable, the phrasing "it hints to" can be improved. More direct alternatives, like "it hints at", are often preferred for grammatical clarity and conciseness.

How do I use "it hints to" in a sentence?

You can use "it hints to" to suggest an indirect meaning, though it's generally better to use alternatives. Example: "The slow time it hints to a lack of athleticism".

What's the difference between "it hints to" and "it hints at"?

"It hints at" is generally considered more grammatically standard. It is more commonly used, although the meaning of both is very similar.