در ۱۵ ثانیه
- A polite way to suggest something without being 100% certain.
- Used to soften claims and avoid sounding too aggressive.
- Perfect for office gossip, business trends, or social observations.
معنی
This phrase is a clever way to suggest something might be true without sounding too bossy or certain. It is like pointing at a small clue instead of shouting the whole answer.
مثالهای کلیدی
3 از 6Observing office dynamics
There are hints that the manager might be resigning soon.
There are hints that the manager might be resigning soon.
Discussing a friend's relationship
There are hints that Sarah and Mark are more than just friends.
There are hints that Sarah and Mark are more than just friends.
Analyzing a business market
There are hints that the housing market is finally cooling down.
There are hints that the housing market is finally cooling down.
زمینه فرهنگی
This expression reflects the 'politeness principle' in English-speaking cultures, where directness is often softened to save face. It is a classic example of 'hedging,' a linguistic strategy used to avoid over-committing to a statement. In corporate culture, it is often used to deliver bad news gently or to float new ideas without taking full responsibility.
The 'That' is Optional
In casual speech, you can drop the word `that`. Saying 'There are hints the party is cancelled' sounds very natural.
Don't be too vague
If you use this phrase too often in one conversation, you might sound like you are hiding something or being indecisive.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- A polite way to suggest something without being 100% certain.
- Used to soften claims and avoid sounding too aggressive.
- Perfect for office gossip, business trends, or social observations.
What It Means
There are hints that is a tool for soft-talking. It tells people you see some evidence, but you aren't ready to bet your life on it yet. Think of it like seeing dark clouds. You don't say 'It is raining.' You say There are hints that it might rain. It keeps you safe if you are wrong. It makes you look observant rather than impulsive.
How To Use It
Put this phrase at the very start of your sentence. Follow it with a full thought using that. You can use it for gossip, business trends, or even weather. It works best when you have a little bit of data but not the full story. It is the linguistic equivalent of a shrug and a wink.
When To Use It
Use it in the office when a project is failing but you want to be polite. Use it with friends when you suspect two people are dating. It is perfect for 'reading between the lines.' If your boss is suddenly very nice, there are hints that a bonus is coming. It sounds sophisticated and thoughtful.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for obvious facts. If your house is on fire, don't say there are hints that things are getting warm. People will think you are a robot. Avoid it in high-stakes emergencies or when you need to be 100% clear. It can sound 'sneaky' if used too much. Don't use it to hide the truth when you actually know the answer.
Cultural Background
English speakers, especially in the UK and US, love 'hedging.' We often avoid being too direct because it can seem aggressive. This phrase comes from a culture of politeness and scientific caution. It suggests you are a person who weighs evidence carefully. It became very popular in journalism and academic writing to avoid lawsuits or being proven wrong later.
Common Variations
There are signs that(more physical evidence)Indications suggest that(very formal/scientific)Word on the street is(very informal/gossip)It looks like(casual and visual)Rumor has it(specifically for social secrets)
نکات کاربردی
This phrase sits in the 'Goldilocks' zone of formality—not too stiff, not too casual. It is a perfect 'safety' phrase for non-native speakers who want to express an opinion without being held responsible for its absolute accuracy.
The 'That' is Optional
In casual speech, you can drop the word `that`. Saying 'There are hints the party is cancelled' sounds very natural.
Don't be too vague
If you use this phrase too often in one conversation, you might sound like you are hiding something or being indecisive.
The 'British' Softener
British speakers love this phrase because it allows them to be 'understated.' It’s a way to be smart without being a 'know-it-all.'
مثالها
6There are hints that the manager might be resigning soon.
There are hints that the manager might be resigning soon.
Used to share a suspicion about a colleague without sounding like a gossip.
There are hints that Sarah and Mark are more than just friends.
There are hints that Sarah and Mark are more than just friends.
A soft way to bring up a romantic suspicion.
There are hints that the housing market is finally cooling down.
There are hints that the housing market is finally cooling down.
Used to make a professional prediction based on small data points.
There are hints that the party tonight is going to be a total disaster lol.
There are hints that the party tonight is going to be a total disaster lol.
Using the phrase ironically for a humorous effect in a casual text.
There are hints that he isn't as happy as he says he is.
There are hints that he isn't as happy as he says he is.
A gentle way to express emotional concern without being intrusive.
There are hints that we might actually have a white Christmas this year.
There are hints that we might actually have a white Christmas this year.
Casual observation about a future possibility.
خودت رو بسنج
Choose the best phrase to complete the sentence for a cautious office observation.
___ the company is planning to expand into Asia next year.
This phrase correctly conveys a sense of cautious observation rather than absolute certainty.
Which word correctly completes the phrase?
There are ___ that the movie will be delayed.
While 'whispers' is a phrase, 'hints' is the standard word used in this specific hedging expression.
🎉 امتیاز: /2
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Formality of 'There are hints that'
I reckon...
I reckon it'll rain.
There are hints that...
There are hints that it might rain.
Evidence suggests that...
Current evidence suggests precipitation is likely.
When to use 'There are hints that'
Office Gossip
...we're getting a new coffee machine!
Market Trends
...stock prices will rise.
Social Life
...they are dating secretly.
Weather
...a storm is coming.
بانک تمرین
2 تمرینها___ the company is planning to expand into Asia next year.
This phrase correctly conveys a sense of cautious observation rather than absolute certainty.
There are ___ that the movie will be delayed.
While 'whispers' is a phrase, 'hints' is the standard word used in this specific hedging expression.
🎉 امتیاز: /2
سوالات متداول
10 سوالIt is neutral. You can use it with your boss in a meeting or with your best friend at a bar.
Yes, it is a great way to soften bad news. For example: There are hints that the project won't be finished on time.
Hints usually refers to subtle information or suggestions, while signs often refers to more visible or physical evidence.
Usually, yes. Saying There is a hint that is possible, but There are hints that is much more common for general observations.
Not quite. I think is your opinion. There are hints that suggests the information is coming from the outside world, not just your head.
Yes, but Evidence suggests that or Initial findings indicate that are slightly more professional for formal papers.
Absolutely. It is very common in both American and British English.
Yes! There are hints that you're getting a promotion is a very exciting thing to hear.
Don't forget the s on hints. Saying There are hint that is grammatically incorrect.
You can say 'Oh? Like what?' to ask for more details about the hints the person noticed.
عبارات مرتبط
Signs point to
Evidence suggests a specific outcome is likely.
All indications are that
A more formal way to say everything seems to lead to one conclusion.
It appears that
A neutral way to describe how a situation looks on the surface.
A little bird told me
An idiomatic way to say you heard a secret or rumor.
