a telling comparison

USAGE SUMMARY

"a telling comparison" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are comparing two or more things and the comparison reveals something meaningful, or "tells" something about them that is important. For example, "The data showed a telling comparison between the rate of growth in population in the cities compared to the rate of growth in population in the rural areas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

General Discussion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Barry offered a telling comparison of City and Ajax yesterday.

Independent

But Mr. del Rey offers a telling comparison between Spain and Italy.

The New York Times

And thus he made a telling comparison in his critique of my book.

The Guardian - Opinion

The performances of Mr. Garanca and Ms. Borodina as Carmen offered a telling comparison.

The New York Times - Arts

It's a telling comparison: Buñuel's self-made financiers and industrialists might have replaced the aristocrats, but the old hierarchies, decadence and social stasis remains.

The Guardian - Arts

The Sonata's 198-horse 4-cylinder makes for a telling comparison: it beats the VW by 28 horses, yet is rated 3 m.p.g.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Comparing Uber to OpenTable, the online restaurant-reservation system, he asked, rhetorically, "Why would you regulate restaurants' use of a reservation system?" It's a more telling comparison than you might realize.

The New Yorker

While Europe differs from the United States in culture and demographics, a more telling comparison may be with Canada, a neighbor with significant ethnic diversity.

The New York Times

In thinking about 2014, a more telling comparison than 1986 is 1998, when President Bill Clinton enjoyed a great midterm election.

Huffington Post

China provides a particularly telling comparison point against Brazil.

Huffington Post

A more telling comparison is between the number of women of color and the total number of all persons in top leadership positions.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a telling comparison" when you want to highlight a relationship that reveals deeper insights or implications.

Common error

Avoid making comparisons that are merely superficial or based on coincidence. A "telling comparison" should reveal a deeper connection or understanding, not just a surface-level observation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a telling comparison" functions as a noun phrase, where "telling" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "comparison". It highlights the significance or revealing nature of the comparison being made. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and appropriate for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a telling comparison" is a correct and commonly used phrase that signifies a comparison revealing a noteworthy insight. As Ludwig AI highlights, its grammatical function is as a noun phrase, emphasizing the importance of the comparison itself. When using it, focus on comparisons that reveal deeper meanings beyond superficial similarities. The phrase commonly appears in news and media, arts, and general discussions, showing its versatility across different contexts. Remember to use more direct alternatives like "a revealing contrast" or "an insightful parallel" to add slight changes in tone. Overall, this expression works to add value to your text by signaling the underlying significance of what you are setting out to demonstrate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a revealing contrast

Emphasizes that the comparison sheds light on something previously unknown or unclear.

an insightful parallel

Suggests the comparison provides a deeper understanding of the subjects being compared.

a significant correlation

Highlights the importance or weight of the comparison.

a meaningful analogy

Focuses on the deeper meaning or purpose behind the comparison.

a demonstrative likeness

Emphasizes how similar the compared items are, and what those similarities mean.

a suggestive juxtaposition

Highlights that the comparison hints or implies a conclusion.

an informative distinction

Emphasizes that the comparison informs you on key distinctions between compared elements.

an eloquent correlation

Highlights the comparison is articulated clearly, demonstrating a clear link between elements.

a noteworthy connection

Focuses on pointing out a connection between elements that is deserving of attention.

a distinct resemblance

Emphasizes a clear and recognizable similarity between the compared items.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a telling comparison" in my writing?

To use "a telling comparison" effectively, ensure the comparison clearly illuminates a key point or provides a significant insight. Make sure the relationship between the compared elements is obvious and relevant to your overall argument.

What are some alternatives to "a telling comparison"?

You can use alternatives like "a revealing contrast", "an insightful parallel", or "a significant correlation" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes a comparison "telling"?

A comparison is "telling" when it reveals something important or significant about the subjects being compared. It goes beyond a simple observation to provide a deeper understanding or insight.

Is there a difference between "a telling comparison" and "a useful comparison"?

While both phrases suggest the comparison is valuable, "a telling comparison" implies the comparison reveals a significant insight or truth, whereas "a useful comparison" simply indicates the comparison is helpful for a specific purpose.