with hints of

USAGE SUMMARY

"with hints of" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe something that has a small amount of a certain quality. For example, "The soup was savory with hints of spice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Food & Drink

Descriptive Writing

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Light, with hints of lemon and steel.

The New York Times - Food

Common was domestic, with hints of pseudo-bohemianism.

The New Yorker

Recently, I made one with hints of the Eastern Mediterranean.

The New York Times - Food

"Very dry and crisp, with hints of green apple.

The New York Times

The mood is calm, with hints of anxiety.

The New York Times - Books

Full-bodied, with hints of tobacco and plum, but velvety.

The Guardian - Travel

The work is run through with hints of misty Impressionism.

The New York Times - Arts

It's brisk and taut, with hints of tropical fruit.

The New York Times

My favourite was the Alicante red, with hints of oak.

Independent

On Dublin, a gentle love song with hints of country, they produce a stunningly beautiful ballad.

The Times

Here, grilled asparagus is paired with a delicious creamy quinoa with hints of lemon and cumin.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with hints of" to add nuance and subtlety to your descriptions, making them more engaging and evocative. For example, instead of saying "the room smelled of flowers", try "the room smelled of jasmine with hints of lavender".

Common error

Avoid using "with hints of" excessively in a single piece of writing. Overuse can make your descriptions sound repetitive and less impactful. Use synonyms and vary your sentence structure to maintain reader interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with hints of" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or verb. It adds descriptive detail by indicating subtle or understated qualities. As noted by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used to add nuance to descriptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Food & Drink

25%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "with hints of" is a common and grammatically sound way to add nuance and detail to descriptive writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently used to express the presence of subtle qualities in various contexts, particularly in news, food, and lifestyle writing. When using "with hints of", be mindful of overuse and consider alternative phrases such as "containing a trace of" or "displaying a touch of" to maintain reader engagement. This analysis provides practical tips for effective usage and highlights potential pitfalls to avoid, ensuring clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

containing a trace of

Emphasizes a very small amount or indication of something.

displaying a touch of

Highlights a delicate or subtle presence of a quality.

featuring a suggestion of

Indicates that something implies or evokes a particular quality without explicitly stating it.

presenting a whisper of

Implies an extremely faint or subtle characteristic.

exhibiting a shade of

Suggests a slight variation or nuance of a particular attribute.

with undertones of

Focuses on subtle, underlying qualities that subtly influence the main characteristic.

having a dash of

Indicates a small quantity or element added to enhance or modify the main quality.

incorporating a tinge of

Highlights a slight coloring or influence that subtly alters the primary characteristic.

imbued with a breath of

Suggests a subtle, almost imperceptible infusion of a particular quality.

showing a glimmer of

Emphasizes a fleeting or faint appearance of a quality.

FAQs

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

Use "with hints of" to describe subtle flavors, aromas, colors, or feelings. For example: "The wine was fruity with hints of black cherry", or "The painting was blue with hints of green".

What are some alternatives to "with hints of"?

You can use alternatives like "containing a trace of", "displaying a touch of", or "featuring a suggestion of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "with a hint of" instead of "with hints of"?

While both are grammatically correct, "with a hint of" implies a single, distinct element, whereas "with hints of" suggests multiple subtle elements or a more diffuse quality. Choose the phrasing that best reflects the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "with hints of" and "with notes of"?

"With hints of" generally refers to a subtle or barely noticeable quality, whereas "with notes of" is often used in more formal or technical descriptions, such as in wine or perfume reviews. The choice depends on the context and desired level of precision.