with a trace of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with a trace of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has a small amount or hint of a particular quality or characteristic. Example: "The dish was delicious, with a trace of garlic that enhanced the flavor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's changed," he added, with a trace of sadness.

The New York Times

Expect complex, mouth-filling tropical flavors with a trace of barrel oakiness.

The New York Times

"He has no technical understanding whatsoever," Musk said later, with a trace of disappointment.

The New Yorker

The air is bright, with a trace of mist in the distance.

The New Yorker

He added, with a trace of pride, "I'm confident I'll be the most outspent Republican incumbent".

The New York Times

Holds serve to love with a trace of his old zing.

The Guardian - Sport

"They don't get out very much," she said with a trace of pity.

The New York Times - Science

"It's important for the country," he said, with a trace of embarrassment.

The New York Times

"It's waiting until I can pull it off," she said with a trace of uncertainty.

The New York Times - Style

Samuelson is originally from Sunderland, and still speaks with a trace of the north-east.

The Guardian - Sport

Trams," said Edinburgh MSP Marco Biagi, with a trace of nervousness.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Enhance your writing by strategically using "with a trace of" to add depth and nuance to character descriptions or environmental settings. For example, "He spoke with a trace of sarcasm", or "The air smelled with a trace of pine."

Common error

Avoid using "with a trace of" in overly simplistic descriptions where a more direct adjective would suffice. For example, instead of saying "The coffee had with a trace of sweetness", simply state "The coffee was slightly sweet."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with a trace of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, adding a nuance of subtlety or slightness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct. Examples from Ludwig show its usage across a variety of contexts, such as emotions, flavors, and sensory experiences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "with a trace of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate the subtle presence of a characteristic or quality. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While effective for adding nuance, it's important to avoid overuse in situations where simpler language would suffice. Semantically similar alternatives include phrases like "with a hint of" and "with a touch of", offering writers a range of options to convey subtlety. By understanding its function and appropriate contexts, writers can effectively employ "with a trace of" to enrich their descriptions and add depth to their narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with a hint of

Indicates a slight and often pleasant addition or characteristic, similar to a trace, but may imply a more intentional addition.

with a touch of

Implies a delicate or subtle addition, often used in contexts of flavors or emotions, very close in meaning to "with a trace of".

with a suggestion of

Indicates a faint indication or possibility, which is conceptually similar but emphasizes the uncertainty of the presence.

with a shade of

This suggests a slight variation or modification, similar to a trace, but more commonly used with colors or opinions.

with a glimmer of

Suggests a faint, often positive, sign or indication, which is similar to a trace but emphasizes a hopeful aspect.

with a whisper of

Implies an extremely faint or subtle presence, often used for sensory experiences like scents or sounds, making it conceptually close.

slightly

A more concise way of indicating a minimal degree or extent, suitable when brevity is preferred.

barely

Indicates the presence of something at its minimum level of existence, emphasizing how minimal it is.

with a suspicion of

Suggests a minimal presence which is noticed with distrust or uncertainty.

with a tinge of

Similar to "with a trace of", but often used when referring to color or a feeling.

FAQs

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

Use "with a trace of" to indicate a subtle presence or hint of something. For example, "She spoke "with a trace of" sadness", showing she was somewhat sad.

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

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

Is it correct to say "with a trace of"?

Yes, "with a trace of" is a correct and commonly used phrase in English to indicate a small amount or subtle hint of something.

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

While both phrases indicate a small amount, "with a trace of" might suggest something is barely perceptible, while "with a hint of" might imply a more intentional or noticeable addition.