kind of hunch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kind of hunch" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a vague or intuitive feeling about something, often without concrete evidence. Example: "I have a kind of hunch that the meeting will be rescheduled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Mr. Campbell cringed at the wording, which seemed to suggest evolution was a kind of hunch instead of the only accepted scientific explanation for the great variety of life on Earth.

The New York Times

I think my body language, I hope, kind of reads like, 'Leave me alone.' You know, I kind of hunch over, and I'll have a New Yorker or something that I'll read during halftime or during commercials.

The New York Times

In Game 3, Durocher, acting on the kind of hunch that perhaps inspired Yankees Manager Joe Girardi on Wednesday night, chose to use Rhodes again as a pinch-hitter, and he drove in two runs with a single in a game the Giants also won.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But the interposition of weighting, between the raw data and the published poll, includes what is essentially a kind of expert hunch.

The Guardian - Opinion

Her first remark, uttered as a kind of informed hunch: "I bet the Chinese food in this town is terrible". It's even easier when Vinny, a New York lawyer who passed his bar examination six weeks earlier (after six tries), starts to prepare his case, which is to defend his nephew and his nephew's pal, who have been charged with a capital offense.

The New York Times

(This is exactly the kind of app Hunch was hoping to support with its Taste Graph API before it was bought by eBay).

TechCrunch

(This is exactly the kind of app Hunch was hoping to support with its Taste Graph API before it was bought by eBay).

TechCrunch

Move your chest inward so you are sort of hunching.

WikiHow

And a lot of it, we just think we know, …rather than having a 20 page tool to assess the patient's functional, cognitive, aspect of their life, we kind of go on a hunch or… our sort of clinical expertise about how a patient is functioning and coping.

BMJ Open

(Oncologist D09) And a lot of it, we just think we know, …rather than having a 20 page tool to assess the patient's functional, cognitive, aspect of their life, we kind of go on a hunch or… our sort of clinical expertise about how a patient is functioning and coping.

BMJ Open

He put it down to some kind of overconfidence — having seen their initial hunch confirmed, these analysts became too confident.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kind of hunch" when you want to express an idea based on intuition rather than concrete evidence. It suggests a tentative feeling or speculative assessment.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "kind of hunch" as a definitive conclusion. Always frame it as a possibility or a tentative idea that needs further investigation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kind of hunch" functions as a qualifier of a noun, specifically modifying "hunch" to indicate that the feeling or intuition is somewhat vague or not fully formed. It suggests an uncertain or tentative idea, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

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, "kind of hunch" is a phrase used to express a vague or tentative feeling about something. Ludwig AI's analysis shows it's grammatically correct but relatively rare. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it is essential to use it appropriately by framing it as a possibility rather than a definitive statement. Consider alternatives like "sort of intuition" or "gut feeling", depending on the specific context. The phrase appears in various contexts, including news, science, and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sort of intuition

Replaces "hunch" with "intuition", focusing on instinctive understanding, and "kind" with "sort", resulting in a less formal tone.

gut feeling

Replaces "kind of hunch" with a more visceral and immediate sense of intuition.

intuitive sense

Emphasizes the intuitive nature of the feeling, using "sense" instead of "hunch".

educated guess

Suggests a guess based on some knowledge or information, rather than pure intuition.

rough estimate

Focuses on a preliminary calculation or approximation.

preliminary assessment

Implies a more formal and considered judgment, rather than a spontaneous feeling.

working hypothesis

Frames the hunch as a provisional idea used as a basis for further investigation.

tentative theory

Positions the hunch as an unconfirmed explanation for something.

speculative notion

Highlights the speculative nature of the idea, implying it is not firmly grounded.

initial impression

Focuses on the first feeling or idea one gets about something.

FAQs

What does "kind of hunch" mean?

The phrase "kind of hunch" refers to a vague feeling or intuition about something, often without clear evidence. It suggests a speculative idea or a tentative feeling.

When is it appropriate to use "kind of hunch" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "kind of hunch" when you want to express a tentative idea or an intuitive feeling that isn't yet supported by solid evidence. It works well in informal contexts or when brainstorming possibilities.

What are some alternatives to "kind of hunch"?

You can use alternatives like "sort of intuition", "gut feeling", or "intuitive sense" depending on the context.

Is "kind of hunch" formal or informal?

"Kind of hunch" is generally considered informal. In more formal settings, consider using phrases like "preliminary assessment" or "working hypothesis".