which hints that

USAGE SUMMARY

"which hints that" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to introduce a clause that provides a subtle suggestion or implication about something mentioned in the main clause. An example sentence could be: The strange behavior of the cat, which hints that it may have seen a mouse, caught the attention of the curious children.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

However, in the announcement of the SoundCloud agreement, he is quoted as saying Merlin's members "can participate fully in the long term value of SoundCloud's future", which hints that equity was part of the deal.

The Guardian - Tech

Nevsky rallied Russian forces against foreign invaders in the 13th century and has been promoted as a national hero by the Kremlin, which hints that Vladimir Putin, the prime minister, and the president, Dmitry Medvedev, are unifying figures from the same mould.

The Guardian

The Alexa number field in this APK contains an actual phone number with an area code, which hints that Amazon may assign a virtual number to Echo owners.

TechCrunch

It also follows news of a forthcoming carrier billing deal that's about to go live – something which hints that Amazon is now scaling up and becoming more aggressive with its product line up.

TechCrunch

It also follows news of a forthcoming carrier billing deal that's about to go live  – something which hints that Amazon is now scaling up and becoming more aggressive with its product line up.

TechCrunch

When the proportion of recalled edges is greater than this value, the statistical support rises slowly, which hints that phylogenetic signals in more than 40% of the ideal gene relationship data are sufficient to generate a highly resolved phylogenetic tree (RP>80%).

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

The letter, which hinted that party allegiance and legal appointments in the Brooklyn court system went hand in hand, sparked a federal investigation that is continuing.

The New York Times

The correlation here between tree root-to-haplotype distances and haplotype dates of isolation was statistically significant but not large, which hinted that rate variation might occur within the clonal group.

Plosone

Then it follows her adventures, which hint that her luck may change.

The New York Times

"The smaller studies which hinted that yoga might be helpful all had problems one way or another.

The New York Times

This was "totally unacceptable", according to the Bush administration, which hinted that the Cuban people would not allow it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which hints that" to introduce a subtle suggestion or implication based on the preceding clause. Ensure the hint is logically connected and not too far-fetched to maintain clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "which hints that" when the connection is obvious or direct. Overusing it can weaken your writing and make implications seem less insightful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which hints that" functions as a relative clause introducing an inference or implication drawn from the preceding statement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which hints that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, functioning as a relative clause to introduce a subtle implication or suggestion. As verified by Ludwig AI, it's commonly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts, making it appropriate for formal writing while maintaining a neutral tone. When using the phrase, ensure the implication is logical and not overstated. Alternatives like "which suggests that" or "which implies that" can provide similar nuance with varying degrees of strength. Remember to avoid using it when the connection is obvious, and the phrase will effectively highlight an underlying point.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which suggests that

Replaces "hints" with "suggests", implying a slightly stronger indication.

which implies that

Uses "implies" instead of "hints", indicating a more subtle or indirect suggestion.

which indicates that

Substitutes "hints" with "indicates", suggesting a clearer sign or signal.

which signifies that

Employs "signifies" instead of "hints", implying a more formal or symbolic indication.

which points to

Replaces the entire phrase with "points to", offering a more concise way to express suggestion.

which alludes to

Uses "alludes to" instead of "hints", suggesting a more indirect or veiled reference.

which intimates that

Substitutes "hints" with "intimates", implying a delicate or subtle suggestion.

which leads one to believe

Replaces "hints" with a more explicit expression of inference, "leads one to believe".

which gives the impression that

Offers a longer, more descriptive alternative, emphasizing the subjective nature of the suggestion.

which would suggest

Uses "would suggest", adding a conditional aspect to the suggestion.

FAQs

How can I use "which hints that" in a sentence?

Use "which hints that" to add a subtle implication to a preceding clause. For example, "The data showed a slight increase, which hints that the new strategy might be working."

What are some alternatives to "which hints that"?

You can use alternatives like "which suggests that", "which implies that", or "which indicates that" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "which hints that" in formal writing?

Yes, "which hints that" is suitable for formal writing. However, consider the strength of the implication and choose a more direct phrase like "which demonstrates that" if the evidence is strong.

What is the difference between "which hints that" and "which proves that"?

"Which hints that" suggests a subtle implication or possibility, while "which proves that" asserts a definite fact or conclusion. Use "which hints that" when the evidence is suggestive but not conclusive.