a telling instance of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a telling instance of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to highlight a specific example that illustrates a broader point or theme. Example: "The sudden increase in pollution levels is a telling instance of the consequences of industrial negligence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

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

59 human-written examples

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

Ray Velcoro escaped from a similarly sticky situation, although in that instance there was a telling lack of blood.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I was told, for instance, of a 60-year-old father who stays at home all day on Playstation because he is too embarrassed to admit he cannot find work, while sharing his home with his jobless daughter and her jobless partner.

BBC

He tells, for instance, of Rev. William Dallinger, a Methodist minister who also was skilled in microbiology, who conducted a six-year evolutionary experiment using protozoa and excitedly wrote to Darwin about how his findings "palpably demonstrate your great doctrine" (Lenski 2009).

Evolution: Education and Outreach

We are told, for instance, of Brigham Young's ban on dramas that romanticized monogamous love at his community theatre; as one of Young's followers says, "I ain't sitting through no play where a man makes such a cussed fuss over one woman".

The New Yorker

He tells a story, for instance, of the OncoMouse:In the 1980s researchers at Harvard working with DuPont created new techniques to insert cancer-causing genes, oncogenes, into mice.

The Economist

The arrests, she told me, were a clear instance of authorities using the trials against the deep state to silence dissent; at the time, journalists responded with expressions of anger and solidarity, but to do so they often had to put aside their feelings about the accused.

The New Yorker

He told several instances of his alma mater's rising to emergencies, and this we found especially interesting.

The New Yorker

This was, as far as he could tell, "the first instance of an altitude chamber being used in an office setting".

The New Yorker

All of which is by way of introduction to his remarks about contemporary art in these two interviews, which you may regard either as staggeringly shortsighted, or an instance of someone telling the truth about art that is overinflated and overhyped by the media, museums and the market.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a telling instance of" to introduce a specific example that effectively highlights a broader trend or pattern. This phrase works best when the example is particularly illustrative or insightful.

Common error

Avoid using "a telling instance of" in casual or informal writing. The phrase is relatively formal and can sound stilted in everyday conversation or less formal writing styles. Simpler alternatives may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a telling instance of" functions as an introductory phrase to highlight a specific example that illustrates a broader point or theme. It serves to emphasize the significance and revelatory nature of the instance being presented, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a telling instance of" is a grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a significant example that illustrates a broader point. It's most commonly found in news, media, and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. Ludwig indicates that it effectively emphasizes the revelatory nature of the example. While useful for adding clarity and depth to your writing, be mindful of the formality and consider simpler alternatives in casual settings. The analysis also revealed semantically related phrases such as "a revealing example of" or "a significant case of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a revealing example of

Focuses on the revealing nature of the example.

a significant case of

Emphasizes the importance and impact of the instance.

a striking illustration of

Highlights how clearly something is demonstrated.

an indicative example of

Suggests that the example serves as an indication of a larger trend.

a demonstrative case of

Indicates that the case is clearly showing something.

a noteworthy illustration of

Highlights that the example is worth noting.

a conspicuous instance of

Emphasizes the obvious and easily noticeable nature of the instance.

a prime example of

Indicates that the example is one of the best and most representative.

a classic case of

Suggests that the example is typical and well-known.

a textbook example of

Implies that the example is so clear and illustrative that it could be used in educational materials.

FAQs

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

Use "a telling instance of" to introduce an example that clearly illustrates a larger point. For example, "The company's failure to innovate is "a telling instance of" their overall decline".

What are some alternatives to "a telling instance of"?

Alternatives include "a revealing example of", "a significant case of", or "a striking illustration of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a telling instance of" formal or informal?

"A telling instance of" is generally considered a formal phrase. It is more suitable for academic, professional, or news-related writing rather than casual conversation.

What makes an instance "telling"?

An instance is "telling" when it provides significant insight or clearly reveals something important about a larger context, trend, or situation. It effectively illustrates a point and offers valuable understanding.