suggesting it was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suggesting it was" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a statement or observation that implies or hints at something being a certain way without explicitly stating it. Example: "The empty wrappers scattered on the floor, suggesting it was a busy night of snacking for the teenagers." In this sentence, the phrase "suggesting it was" is used to imply that the presence of empty wrappers indicates a busy night of snacking for the teenagers without directly stating it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Additionally, Mr. Kenny said the television division wasn't "altogether efficient" in its production, suggesting it was overstaffed.

The New York Times

Its fur was pale brown and its ears were still rather stubby, suggesting it was a juvenile.

The New York Times - Arts

Its version today has reached only 85percentt, suggesting it was marching to Celera's timetable.

The New York Times

It had no markings suggesting it was an air pistol.

The New York Times

Police said witnesses heard no argument or dispute, suggesting it was a random attack.

The Guardian

Several politicians also denied the report, suggesting it was meant to smear Russia.

The Guardian

"I don't have to run for it," he said, suggesting it was already in the bag.

The New York Times

A promoter hyped the death, suggesting it was caused by Baker's patented "heart punch," Will says.

The New York Times - Magazine

Evan Davis today started a small Twitter storm by suggesting it was time for nationalisation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet he denies that they used to attack audiences, suggesting it was a matter of perception.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Opponents campaigned against feminism suggesting it was all that ailed women, made us unhappy, ruined our relationships.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "suggesting it was," ensure that the context provides enough clues for the reader to reasonably infer the implied meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "suggesting it was" when the evidence is overwhelmingly conclusive; a direct statement is more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suggesting it was" functions as an inferential marker. It introduces a proposition that is presented as a logical or reasonable conclusion based on available evidence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the structure is grammatically sound and widely employed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

24%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "suggesting it was" is a grammatically correct and frequently used construction that serves to introduce a subtle implication or inference. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the context provides sufficient evidence to support the implied meaning, while avoiding its use when a direct assertion is more appropriate. Related phrases like "implying it was" or "indicating it was" can offer alternative ways to convey a similar sense with slight variations in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

implying it was

Replaces "suggesting" with "implying", focusing on the subtle communication of an idea.

indicating it was

Substitutes "suggesting" with "indicating", highlighting the act of pointing something out indirectly.

hinting it was

Replaces "suggesting" with "hinting", emphasizing a more subtle and indirect suggestion.

intimating it was

Uses "intimating" in place of "suggesting", implying a delicate or subtle communication.

leading one to believe it was

Emphasizes the persuasive aspect of the suggestion, highlighting how it influences belief.

giving the impression it was

Focuses on the perception created by the suggestion, rather than the direct act of suggesting.

appearing to be

Shifts the focus to outward appearance as an indicator, rather than direct suggestion.

seeming to be

Highlights the apparent nature of something, similar to "appearing", but with a slightly different nuance.

alluding to the fact it was

Replaces "suggesting" with "alluding", pointing to an indirect reference.

inferring it was

Shifts the perspective to the receiver, emphasizing the act of drawing a conclusion from the available information.

FAQs

How can I use "suggesting it was" in a sentence?

Use "suggesting it was" to subtly imply something based on available evidence. For example, "The muddy footprints leading to the house, "suggesting it was" recently inhabited".

What are some alternatives to "suggesting it was"?

Alternatives include "implying it was", "indicating it was", or "hinting it was", each offering a slightly different nuance in conveying indirect information.

Is "suggesting it was" formal or informal?

"Suggesting it was" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, making it a versatile phrase for various writing styles.

When should I avoid using "suggesting it was"?

Avoid using "suggesting it was" if the evidence is strong enough to make a direct assertion. Overusing it can weaken your writing when certainty is warranted.