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Formation: N + を手がかりに / を手がかりにして / を手がかりとして

X is a partial clue that helps someone find, solve or understand something unknown, so the main clause usually has a verb of searching, investigating or working something out (探す, 追う, 解明する, たどる). It is neutral in tone, used in both speech and writing, and common in crime reports, research and detective stories. Compare 〜をもとに, which marks the material something is built from (実話をもとに映画を作る), and 〜に基づいて, which marks a basis or standard for action or judgement. With を手がかりに, the answer is not yet known and X only points the way.

Variants: 〜を手がかりにして、〜を手がかりとして

Examples

• 警察は防犯カメラの映像を手がかりに、犯人を追っている。
  Using security camera footage as a lead, the police are tracking the culprit.
• 古い手紙を手がかりにして、祖父の生家を探し当てた。
  Following the clues in some old letters, I found the house where my grandfather was born.
• 研究チームは化石を手がかりとして、当時の気候を解明した。
  Using fossils as clues, the research team worked out what the climate was like at the time.

In real texts 0 occurrence(s)

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