To Hint vs Hinting Infinitives & Gerunds

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To hint (Infinitive)

Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to hint" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action

Example

I want to hint at the surprise party.

Hinting (Gerund)

Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "hinting" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.

Example

Hinting can be an effective communication technique.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To hint (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To hint is a subtle way of conveying information.

  To hint is a subtle way of conveying information.

  • "*To hint*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a subtle way of conveying information).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to hint about the upcoming project.

  She wants me to hint about the upcoming project.

  • "Me *to hint* about the upcoming project" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to hint* about the upcoming project).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a clue to hint at the solution.

  We need a clue to hint at the solution.

  • "*To hint* at the solution" modifies the noun "clue."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a clue *to hint* at the solution).

Hinting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Hinting is a form of indirect suggestion.

  Hinting is a form of indirect suggestion.

  • "*Hinting*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a form of indirect suggestion).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy hinting about the surprise to see their reactions.

  I enjoy hinting about the surprise to see their reactions.

  • "*Hinting* about the surprise to see their reactions" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*hinting* about the surprise to see their reactions).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for hinting without giving it away.

  She has a talent for hinting without giving it away.

  • "For *hinting* without giving it away" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *hinting* without giving it away).

Verbs Taking Infinitives/Gerunds as Objects

The following are verbs that can take only the base form of the verb (infinitive), only the -ing form (gerund), or both.

Verbs Taking Infinitives as Objects

• plan
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

They plan to hint at their engagement during dinner.

He hopes to hint at his preferences for the surprise gift.

She wants to hint at her intentions for the project.

We decided to hint at our availability for the event.

They agreed to hint at the upcoming changes in the organization.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

They enjoy hinting at their inside jokes.

I recommend hinting at your interests during the interview.

She dislikes hinting at her true feelings.

He avoids hinting at his suspicions.

Can you imagine hinting at the surprise party without revealing it?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to hint subtly in my conversations. I like hinting subtly in my conversations.

She started to hint about her new project. She started hinting about her new project.

They began to hint at their future plans. They began hinting at their future plans.