it intimates that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it intimates that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest that something implies or hints at a particular idea or conclusion. Example: "The study's findings are significant because it intimates that there may be a link between diet and mental health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"It intimates that I'm an artist," says Johnson disingenuously.

The New York Times - Magazine

It intimates that the sheer mundanity of life practically requires these things.

The New Yorker

To present the situation as mutual distrust not only obscures the specific causes of that distrust – it intimates that everyone is equally responsible for the problem.

The Guardian - Opinion

By 'better' I mean lower-priced, reliable and less of a threat to our ecosphere". Despite the futility of the President's proposal, argues Cohen, it is nonetheless symbolic: it intimates that the United States recognizes climate change as a global threat.

Columbia University

It professes to act 'within the statutory framework for appeals created by Congress'; but it intimates that it is 'impelled by considerations beyond the corners of 28 U.S.C. 1915, 28 U.S.C.A. § 1915,' and the touchstone of its opinion is a principle arising from cases based on the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Cornell University

It was somehow important not to eat the cake for fear of swallowing and therefore missing the ring". Anna, as a result, is unhealthily thin, this fairy-tale dream causing her to consume food "cautiously, sometimes renouncing it altogether". This passage, which occurs early on in "Fraud," is more than a little disheartening, for it intimates that Brookner has launched headlong into cliche.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

We say this because, although the act carefully provides punishment for a violation of its provisions, nowhere does it intimate that there was a purpose to subject the carrier who allowed its employees to work beyond the statutory time to liability for all accidents happening during such period, without reference to whether the accident was attributable to the act of working overtime.

Cornell University

As an early exemplar of the changing postwar morality, it intimated that a woman had the right to seek love outside of an unsatisfying marriage.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Having it intimated that this is the place where I belong... because I am a woman.

HuffPost

In it, Smith intimated that Super Bowl III — in which his highly favored Colts lost to the upstart Jets under Joe Namath — was fixed, although he supplied no evidence.

The New York Times - Sports

It intimates secrets that seem both personal and cosmic, but it does not spell everything out.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Rely on "it intimates that" when aiming to convey subtle nuances, especially in formal contexts. Be sure the context allows for an interpretation that isn't immediately obvious. It's most effective when the implication requires some degree of interpretation from the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "it intimates that" in contexts where a more direct phrase like "it suggests that" or "it implies that" would be clearer and more effective. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or pretentious. Keep it for scenarios that legitimately involve a subtle or indirect hint.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it intimates that" functions as a clause introducer, presenting an inference or suggestion derived from a preceding statement or observation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically sound and commonly appears in formal writing. Examples show it used to convey subtle hints or implications.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

33%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it intimates that" is a grammatically sound and valid expression used to introduce a subtle suggestion or implication. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for formal writing, particularly in academic, news, and scientific contexts. While alternatives like "it suggests that" and "it implies that" exist, "it intimates that" adds a layer of nuance and sophistication. Be mindful to avoid overuse in simple contexts where more direct phrasing would suffice. The phrase serves to invite readers to draw conclusions based on the presented information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it suggests that

This alternative is more direct and common, replacing "intimates" with a more widely understood verb.

it implies that

This alternative is very similar in meaning, but carries a slightly stronger sense of logical consequence.

it indicates that

This alternative focuses on pointing something out, often based on evidence.

it hints that

This alternative emphasizes subtlety and indirectness in the suggestion.

it alludes to the fact that

This alternative introduces a stronger sense of indirect reference, often to something well-known.

it gives the impression that

This alternative focuses on the subjective feeling or perception created.

it leads one to believe that

This alternative highlights the consequential belief or conclusion drawn.

it seems to suggest that

This alternative adds a layer of uncertainty or tentativeness to the suggestion.

it points toward the idea that

This alternative is more directional, implying a movement towards a particular concept.

it conveys the notion that

This alternative suggests a deliberate communication, even if indirect, of a particular idea.

FAQs

What does "it intimates that" mean?

The phrase "it intimates that" means something suggests or hints at something else, often in a subtle or indirect way. It implies a nuanced suggestion rather than a direct statement.

What can I say instead of "it intimates that"?

You can use alternatives like "it suggests that", "it implies that", or "it hints that" depending on the context and the level of directness you want to convey.

Is "it intimates that" formal or informal?

"It intimates that" is generally considered more formal than alternatives like "it suggests that" or "it hints that". It is suitable for academic, professional, or journalistic writing.

How do I use "it intimates that" in a sentence?

Use "it intimates that" when you want to indicate that something subtly suggests a particular idea or conclusion. For example, "The study's findings are significant because "it intimates that" there may be a link between diet and mental health."