Cool MateHint vs That was not the signal
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Hint
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
That was not the signal
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most common: Hint
| Hint | That was not the signal | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/hɪnt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/hɪnt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðæt wəz nɒt ðə ˈsɪgnəl//🇺🇸 //ðæt wəz nɑt ðə ˈsɪɡnəl// |
| Meaning | A small clue or piece of information. | A sign that tells you to do something. |
| Example | She gave me a subtle hint about the surprise party. | When the light turned red, I realized that was not the signal to go. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | big, broad, clear, drop, give (somebody), catch, hint about, hint from, hint to, big, broad, clear, drop, give (somebody), catch, hint about, hint from, hint to, strong, barest, faint, detect, notice, sense, hint of, at the first hint of something, handy, helpful, practical, give (somebody), offer (somebody), hint about, hint on | send a signal, receive a signal, clear signal, mixed signal, non-verbal signal |
| Antonyms | guess, certainty, statement | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'hint' as a noun and a verb., Using 'hint' in formal contexts where a clearer statement is better., Forgetting to use 'at' or 'about' after 'hint'. | Confusing with 'That was not the sign', which is less specific., Using in overly formal contexts where simpler phrases would be better., Neglecting to specify what the signal was if implying context. |
| Usage notes | Use 'hint' when suggesting something indirectly. It's more formal in writing and more casual in conversation. Avoid using it in situations that require direct communication. | This phrase is used when you want to indicate that something did not give a clear instruction or indication. It can be used in various contexts, such as communication or reactions. |
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Frequently asked questions: Hint vs That was not the signal
What's the difference between Hint and That was not the signal?
Hint: A small clue or piece of information. That was not the signal: A sign that tells you to do something.
Which is more common: Hint and That was not the signal?
Hint is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Hint: She gave me a subtle hint about the surprise party. That was not the signal: When the light turned red, I realized that was not the signal to go.
Can I use Hint and That was not the signal interchangeably?
Not always. Hint and That was not the signal are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.