hinweist

Hinweist is a form associated with the German verb hinweisen, which means to point out, indicate, or draw attention to something. In standard German, hinweisen is a separable verb, and its present tense forms are built with the prefix hin- separated from the verb stem. The correct third-person singular present tense form is er weist auf das Problem hin. The sequence hinweist is generally considered nonstandard in contemporary writing and can be seen as an orthographic error or, occasionally, as a stylistic choice in headlines where space is limited.

Etymology and grammar: hinweisen consists of hin- (a directional prefix) and weisen (to point or indicate). In normal sentences, the prefix is separated: er weist auf etwas hin. The verb takes a direct object or a prepositional phrase with auf: auf etwas hinweisen. The past participle is hingewiesen, and the perfect tense is hat hingewiesen. The simple past is wies hin. Infinitive and participle forms retain the separable prefix.

Usage and meaning: hinweisen is used to draw attention to information, a fact, or a point that should be considered. It often appears in formal or analytical contexts, such as reports, academic writing, and journalism. Example sentences: Der Bericht weist auf mögliche Fehler hin. Die Studie weist darauf hin, dass weitere Untersuchungen nötig sind. Synonyms include aufmerksam machen or hinweisen can be complemented by darauf, as in drauf hinweisen.

Notes on confusion with Hinweis: Hinweis is the noun meaning hint or piece of information, while hinweisen is the verb. The noun form Hinweis contrasts with the verb usage; for example, ein wichtiger Hinweis means an important hint, not “to point out.” See also: hinweisen, Hinweis.