a telling demonstration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a telling demonstration" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an example or event that clearly illustrates a point or conveys significant information. Example: "The results of the experiment provided a telling demonstration of the theory in action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But certain decisions have a telling demonstration effect beyond their actual content.

The Economist

The absence of both the prime minister and the chancellor from the front bench as Mr Prescott made his statement last week was a telling demonstration that there are few votes to be gained from restraining traffic.

The Economist

It was a telling demonstration for a free safety who struggled to breathe on his own 10 months ago and is now competing with Omar Stoutmire and Scott Frost for a starting job.

The New York Times - Sports

But beyond that, and unusually for him, he let his hair down when the moderate Republican, Illinois Senator Orville H. Browning, one of his oldest and closest friends and supporters, wrote him on September 17 defending Frémont's declaration — a telling demonstration of just what a chord Frémont had struck.

The New York Times

Cousins isn't a "throwback" player in any sense; as odd as it sounds, Cousins is closer to being a 7-foot Manu Ginobili than an iteration of the Tim Duncan archetype, a telling demonstration of which came when Cousins burned Hornets center Chris Kaman with a Euro step en route to the rim on Monday night.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

This show and tell demonstration got a bit tedious as the evening wore on and we heard it over and over again at other tables.

The New York Times

This show-and-tell demonstration got a bit tedious as the evening wore on when we heard it over and over again at other tables.

The New York Times

Sure enough, a couple of weeks ago, a man attending a demonstration told Mr. Shaver: "I had heard it.

The New York Times

"Nobody clinging to a rubber dinghy in the middle of the Med is responsible for the lack of housing in this country," he told the demonstration outside St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, where 74.4% voted to remain in the EU.

The Guardian

The Tour de Sol, which had its 14th running last week, is a road rally, run in stages, with show-and-tell demonstrations of the technology along the way.

The New York Times - Travel

"We are the people, we are the revolution," a militant tells me at a demonstration in support of the Houthis.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a telling demonstration" when you want to emphasize that a particular event or example clearly and effectively illustrates a point.

Common error

Avoid using "a telling demonstration" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "a good example" or "clearly shows".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a telling demonstration" functions as a noun phrase, where "telling" acts as an adjective modifying "demonstration". The phrase typically serves to identify a specific event or instance that effectively illustrates a particular point or principle. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a telling demonstration" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes an event or example that clearly illustrates a point. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness for use in writing. While relatively rare, the phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts. When using it, consider its slightly formal tone and ensure it fits the overall register of your writing. Alternatives such as "an illustrative example" or "a clear indication" can be used in more casual contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an illustrative example

Replaces "telling demonstration" with a more common phrase emphasizing the example's clarifying nature.

a revealing display

"Display" focuses on the visual aspect of the demonstration, while "revealing" suggests uncovering something important.

a significant illustration

"Significant" stresses the importance of the illustration, making it a key point.

a clear indication

Shifts the focus to the demonstrative aspect of an indication of something.

a conspicuous exhibition

"Conspicuous" emphasizes the noticeable nature of the exhibition, drawing attention to it.

a potent manifestation

"Manifestation" suggests a more abstract or powerful display of something.

an insightful presentation

Highlights the depth of understanding gained from the presentation.

a symbolic enactment

"Enactment" implies a more deliberate and symbolic representation of an idea.

a demonstrative portrayal

"Portrayal" focuses on the representation or depiction of something through the demonstration.

an eloquent testimony

"Testimony" suggests the demonstration serves as proof or evidence of something.

FAQs

How can I use "a telling demonstration" in a sentence?

Use "a telling demonstration" to describe an instance that clearly illustrates a point. For example, "The company's financial results were "a telling demonstration" of the success of their new strategy".

What can I say instead of "a telling demonstration"?

You can use alternatives like "an illustrative example", "a clear indication", or "a revealing display" depending on the context.

What makes "a telling demonstration" different from "a good example"?

"A telling demonstration" implies that the example is not only illustrative but also revealing or significant in some way. It suggests that the demonstration provides important insight or evidence.

Is "telling" used in "a telling demonstration" an adjective or a verb?

In "a telling demonstration", "telling" is used as an adjective. It means revealing or significant, modifying the noun "demonstration".