with a hint of

USAGE SUMMARY

"with a hint of" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a small amount or trace of something, often in a figurative sense. Example: The chef's marinade had just the right balance of spices, with a hint of garlic and a touch of cumin.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Fashionable, but with a hint of seriousness.

Independent

I responded with a hint of trepidation.

The New York Times

Power-pop with a hint of country.

Independent

Hammer, with a hint of Vanilla Ice.

The New York Times

"They're white with a hint of color".

The New York Times

Potato salad, with a hint of celery.

The New York Times - Sports

She laughs with a hint of frustration.

The Guardian - Film

Focused, with a hint of formality.

The New York Times - Tech

"I'm really tired," she said, with a hint of embarrassment.

The New York Times

It's bad," she said, with a hint of relish.

The New Yorker

It is creamy with a hint of sourness".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with a hint of" to add nuance and subtlety to your descriptions. This phrase works well when you want to suggest a quality without overstating it, making your writing more engaging and sophisticated.

Common error

Avoid using "with a hint of" for obvious or unremarkable qualities. For example, instead of saying "the sky was blue with a hint of light", simply state "the sky was light blue". Save the phrase for more complex or unexpected combinations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with a hint of" functions primarily as a modifier, specifically as a prepositional phrase. It describes the degree to which a particular attribute is present, indicating that it exists in a subtle or understated manner. Ludwig's examples confirm its use in adding nuance to descriptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "with a hint of" is a very common prepositional phrase used to subtly qualify descriptions, indicating a slight presence of a particular attribute. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. The phrase is generally neutral in register and serves to add nuance and sophistication to writing. To avoid overuse, reserve it for describing complex or unexpected qualities, enriching your descriptive language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with a touch of

Emphasizes a delicate or minimal presence of a quality.

with a trace of

Implies an even smaller amount or barely detectable presence.

with a dash of

Suggests a quick and small addition, often used for flavors or qualities.

with a whisper of

Highlights a very subtle and almost imperceptible quality.

with a suggestion of

Indicates that something implies a certain quality without explicitly stating it.

slightly

This is a single word alternative that describes the degree of something.

with a soupçon of

Uses a French term to denote a very small amount, often used in culinary contexts or humorously.

with a tinge of

This implies a slight coloring or influence of something.

featuring a note of

Often used in describing flavors or scents, indicating a distinct component.

infusion of

Implies blending or steeping something into a solution.

FAQs

How can I use "with a hint of" in a sentence?

The phrase "with a hint of" is used to describe something that has a small amount or trace of a particular quality or ingredient. For example, "The sauce was creamy, with a hint of garlic" or "She smiled, "with a hint of mischief"".

What are some alternatives to "with a hint of"?

Alternatives to "with a hint of" include "with a touch of", "with a trace of", "slightly", or "featuring a note of", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "with a hint of" or "with a touch of"?

Both "with a hint of" and "with a touch of" are used to indicate a small amount of something, but "hint" often suggests something subtle or not immediately obvious, while "touch" implies a delicate or light application. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "with a hint of" and "slightly"?

"With a hint of" implies a more complex or nuanced presence of something, often used for flavors, scents, or emotions. "Slightly" is a more direct and general term for a small degree of something. For example, "The room was "slightly" warm" versus "The tea was fragrant, with a hint of jasmine".