a telling instance of this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a telling instance of this" 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 recent study provided a telling instance of this, demonstrating how social media impacts mental health."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 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

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

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

The Guardian - TV & Radio

(The "Bradley effect," named for former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, refers to a specific instance of this bias — white voters telling pollsters they'd vote for a black candidate, but not actually doing so).

The New Yorker

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

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

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

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a telling instance of this" to introduce a specific example that vividly illustrates a broader trend, pattern, or argument you're making. This phrase is effective in analytical writing where concrete evidence strengthens your claims.

Common error

While appropriate for formal analysis, overuse of "a telling instance of this" can sound stilted in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler phrases like "this shows" or "for example" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a telling instance of this" functions as an introductory phrase. It serves to signal that the speaker or writer is about to provide a specific example that strongly supports or illustrates a preceding point. The examples provided by Ludwig confirm this usage.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

16%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a telling instance of this" serves as an introductory phrase to highlight a particularly revealing or significant example. Ludwig AI suggests that it's grammatically correct, though it is used with varying frequency across different contexts and is more common in analytical writing than in casual conversation. While effective for emphasizing the importance of an example, overuse in informal settings can sound stilted, and related alternatives may provide more natural phrasing. This phrase should emphasize the revealing nature of a specified instance to give insight into a more broad idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a revealing example of this

Substitutes "telling" with "revealing", emphasizing the disclosure aspect of the instance.

an illustrative example of this

Replaces "telling" with "illustrative", focusing on the clarifying nature of the example.

a significant example of this

Uses "significant" to highlight the importance of the example.

a noteworthy example of this

Emphasizes that the example is worth paying attention to.

a demonstrative example of this

Focuses on the example's ability to clearly show or prove something.

a representative example of this

Suggests that the example is typical or characteristic.

a prime example of this

Indicates that the example is an excellent or best-of-its-kind illustration.

a classic example of this

Suggests that the example is a well-known or typical case.

a striking example of this

Highlights how the example is particularly noticeable or memorable.

a clear-cut example of this

Emphasizes the clarity and lack of ambiguity in the example.

FAQs

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

Use "a telling instance of this" to introduce a specific example that effectively illustrates a broader point or trend. For example, "The company's declining sales figures are "a telling instance of this", highlighting the need for a new marketing strategy."

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

Alternatives include "a revealing example of this", "an illustrative example of this", or "a significant example of this", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a telling instance of this" or simply "for example"?

"A telling instance of this" is more formal and emphasizes the significance of the example, while "for example" is simpler and more general. Choose the phrase that best fits the tone and context of your writing. Using "for example" keeps the tone informal.

What makes an instance "telling"?

An instance is considered "telling" when it reveals something important or provides significant insight into a situation or trend. It's an example that carries more weight than a simple illustration.