a telling instance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a telling instance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific example or situation that reveals important information or insights about a broader topic. Example: "The sudden increase in pollution levels was a telling instance of the city's neglect of environmental regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In a telling instance, the secret police officers monitoring the launch of the Philosophy Steamer raised their hats in salute as it left the harbor, shouting: "We are all Russians.

The New York Times - Books

A telling instance came during the Scottish independence campaign, when George Galloway – fighting for no – made his final appeal to an arena packed with thousands of first-time, teenage voters.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the proposed restoration of full relations with Egypt, the first Arab state to make formal peace with Israel, is a telling instance of Iran's new pragmatism.From their lair in the parliament building, the reformists view all this with wry amusement.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Joseph Perkell — who took a summer job in Stevens' group in 1964, returned as a PhD student in 1969, and remained with the group as a research scientist until his own retirement last year — recalls a particularly telling instance of Stevens' devotion his to students.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

We have observed a rare but telling instance of a spontaneous abnormal embryo in which the process of concentric posterior patterning has proceeded in the absence of any germ band formation.

BMC Biology

One telling instance is a vitrine containing faience hippopotamuses, pretty little sky-blue creatures that resemble trinkets or children's toys.

The New York Times - Arts

But in one telling instance, Monster inserted himself as a mediator between some of the the platform's most notorious white supremacists and their critics — and came down on the side of the neo-Nazis.

Huffington Post

The student apprentices will seek the most appropriate and telling instances to buttress the arguments in the forthcoming book.

University of California, Berkeley

And Mr. Skybell's presumptuous Richard is the picture of kingly hubris, consumed with the beauty of his own words and easily flattered by others; the actor, for instance, offers a telling smile to himself, reeking of vanity, after his cousin and eventual executioner, the coldly ambitious Bolingbroke, proclaims his undying fealty.

The New York Times

The New York Times writes on its live blog of the press conference, "A new panel in iPhoto lets you know what's happened with a photograph, for instance telling you who you e-mailed it to, whether or not you posted it on Facebook (and comments that your friends have made) and where it was taken.

Huffington Post

"A department could tell, for instance, if one officer is making tons of stops and not producing anything".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a telling instance" to introduce a specific example that clearly illustrates a larger point or trend. This phrase works best when the example is concise and directly supports your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "a telling instance" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and detract from the impact of each individual example. Vary your language by using synonyms or rephrasing your sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a telling instance" functions as a noun phrase that introduces an example or case that is particularly revealing or illustrative. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The phrase serves to highlight the significance of the example in understanding a broader concept or issue.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a telling instance" is a correct and usable phrase that serves to introduce a particularly revealing example. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in academic and scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the example you provide is concise and directly supports your argument. While appropriate in various settings, avoid overuse. Alternatives such as "a revealing example" or "an illustrative case" can provide variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a revealing example

Replaces "telling" with "revealing", focusing on the informative aspect.

a telling illustration

Combines 'telling' with 'illustration', reinforcing the clarity of example.

an illustrative example

Uses "illustrative" to highlight the explanatory function of the example.

a revealing incident

Substitutes "instance" with "incident", placing more emphasis on occurrence itself.

a significant case

Shifts the focus to the importance or impact of the specific situation.

a prime example

Uses "prime" to indicate that instance is a high-quality, representative example.

a noteworthy occurrence

Emphasizes the unusual or remarkable nature of the event.

a demonstrative case

Highlights that the instance serves to clearly demonstrate or prove something

a representative situation

Suggests that the instance is typical or characteristic of a larger trend.

a symptomatic example

Implies that the instance reveals underlying issues or problems.

FAQs

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

Use "a telling instance" to introduce a specific example that effectively illustrates a broader point. For example, "The company's failure to address customer complaints is "a telling instance" of its overall disregard for customer satisfaction."

What are some alternatives to "a telling instance"?

Alternatives include "a revealing example", "an illustrative example", or "a significant case" depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is "a telling instance" formal or informal?

"A telling instance" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal writing. However, it is most effective in contexts where clear and concise communication is valued.

What makes an instance "telling"?

An instance is considered "telling" when it reveals important information or provides insight into a larger issue. The example should be particularly effective in demonstrating a point or supporting an argument.