obvious hint

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obvious hint" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used when referring to a subtle suggestion or clue that is easily recognizable or understood. Example: "The director gave an obvious hint about the surprise ending during the opening scene of the movie."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The camouflage patterns introduce an obvious hint of realpolitik.

The New York Times - Arts

"Is Dr. Watson here, too?" she said, feeling apologetic that he had been forced to drop the most obvious hint.

The New Yorker

Sitting in a quiet corner of a downtown hotel, he was dressed in gray jeans, a dark T-shirt and calf-high combat boots that were the only obvious hint of his work.

The New York Times

http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1 The hints from yesterday and really obvious hint from today were not nonsense.

TechCrunch

Furthermore, in the position at 2Θ ~ 10-12° (see arrow GO), there is an obvious hint of GO peak, which is due to the small particle size and its concentration featureless.

Chemistry Central Journal

Swastikas are an obvious hint — but the reality is that it's sometimes not apparent.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

It's a friendly quiz, and Mr. LePage supplies obvious hints to stumped contestants.

The New York Times

The studied quality of the dialogue and acting, and the multi-camera set-upsare obvious hints that it's all fiction, but the style isn't vastly different in the second part which is meant to be, a "documentary" tracking Odell as she shows "real" classmates the first half of the film and then confronts them about the past.

The Guardian - Film

Cooder asks Homer to run his fixed game, but Homer fails to bribe Chief Wiggum (mainly because he was not deciphering Chief Wiggum's obvious hints at wanting a bribe), and Cooder's game is shut down.

Wikipedia

When asked about the difference in terms of sound and direction between Psalms of the Moribund and Prelude to the Tragedy, Gruber stated, "We got our own style on Psalms to the Moribund where Prelude to the Tragedy had very obvious hints of the bands we idolized.

Wikipedia

Now you can get obvious hints by pressing the 2 Button.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "obvious hint" when you want to convey that a clue or suggestion is easily understood and not subtle. Ensure the context makes it clear who is expected to understand the hint.

Common error

Avoid using "obvious hint" when the information is already glaringly apparent. It can come across as condescending or redundant. Opt for more concise language like "the point" or "the fact".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obvious hint" functions as a noun phrase where "obvious" modifies the noun "hint". As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

24%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "obvious hint" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase that describes a clue or suggestion easily understood. Ludwig's analysis reveals its frequent presence in news media and general knowledge contexts. While versatile, careful consideration prevents overuse and ensures appropriateness. Alternative phrases, such as "clear indication" or "unmistakable clue", provide nuanced options. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for various writing purposes and understanding its best practices will enhance clarity and conciseness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clear indication

Replaces "hint" with a stronger term, suggesting a more direct signal.

unmistakable clue

Highlights the lack of ambiguity in the clue.

plain suggestion

Emphasizes the simplicity and ease of understanding of the suggestion.

apparent signal

Focuses on the visibility and recognizability of the signal.

noticeable sign

Stresses that the sign is easily observed.

marked suggestion

Indicates that the suggestion is distinct and prominent.

evident implication

Highlights that the implication is easily inferred.

transparent implication

Similar to 'evident implication' but highlights transparency.

blatant cue

Implies a very obvious and unsubtle prompt.

explicit reference

Suggests a direct and unambiguous mention.

FAQs

How can I use "obvious hint" in a sentence?

You can use "obvious hint" to describe a suggestion or clue that is easily understood. For example, "The detective left an "obvious hint" at the crime scene for the other officers to find".

What are some alternatives to "obvious hint"?

Some alternatives to "obvious hint" include "clear indication", "plain suggestion", or "unmistakable clue", which all suggest something easily understood.

Is it better to be direct than to give an "obvious hint"?

Whether directness is better depends on the context. Sometimes an "obvious hint" can be a polite way to suggest something without being confrontational. However, in professional settings, directness is often preferred.

What's the difference between an "obvious hint" and a subtle clue?

An "obvious hint" is easily recognized and understood, while a subtle clue requires more interpretation or may be easily missed. The clarity and ease of understanding is the differentiating factor.