are telling only

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are telling only" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used when emphasizing that the information being conveyed is limited to a specific aspect or detail. Example: "They are telling only the parts of the story that support their argument."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The White House says Republicans are telling only half the story, because those who lose their current plans will be eligible to buy new ones, with better benefits.

The New York Times

I say, they are telling only part of the story.

Huffington Post

Feature articles can be problematic if they are telling only one side of a story.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Now we are told only that the new frigates "will start to replace" the existing fleet.

The Guardian

The ones that aren't funny — the ones that may never be funny — are told only to therapists or to the insides of medicine cabinets.

The New York Times - Books

If you ask how many of those articles also mention "Coleman," you are told only seven.

Forbes

To the extent that students are told only what the conclusions are, they will likely fail to appreciate what is distinctive about science, namely the means by which these conclusions were tested and confirmed by evidence.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Officers are required to take a training course before being allowed to use a Taser and they are told only to deploy them when threatened with violence.

BBC

Indeed, alcoholics are told only that these results will materialize "sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly," and only with painstaking work.

Huffington Post

"It's telling only half of a terrible story," Rabbi Hier said.

The New York Times - Arts

To make it more fun, let the person whose fortune you're telling only pick one for each category.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are telling only", ensure that your writing clearly indicates what is being omitted or what other perspectives exist to provide a balanced view. This enhances transparency and credibility.

Common error

Avoid implying that the information being presented is the only truth when using "are telling only". Instead, acknowledge that it is a truth or a perspective among others, preventing potential misinterpretations of bias.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are telling only" functions as a commentary on the completeness and objectivity of information being conveyed. It implies that what is being presented is not the full picture and that some details are being omitted or suppressed. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are telling only" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express that someone provides limited information, suggesting crucial details are missing. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It frequently appears in news and media, indicating skepticism or criticism about information completeness. Alternatives include "are only conveying" and "are selectively revealing". When using this phrase, ensure clarity about what is being omitted to avoid unintended bias. Though not overly common, "are telling only" effectively highlights partial disclosures in various communicative contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are only conveying

Focuses on the act of transmitting information, but limits it to certain aspects.

are selectively revealing

Highlights the deliberate choice of what to disclose.

are presenting a partial picture

Emphasizes the incompleteness of the information being shared.

are omitting key details

Focuses on the act of leaving out important information.

are not giving the full story

Indicates a lack of comprehensive information.

are sharing just a fraction

Highlights the small portion of information being shared.

are disclosing merely a portion

Emphasizes the limited amount of information being revealed.

are unveiling only fragments

Suggests that only small pieces of a larger picture are being shown.

are offering an incomplete account

Indicates that the narrative being provided is not whole.

are showing but a glimpse

Implies a very brief or superficial look at something.

FAQs

What does "are telling only" mean?

The phrase "are telling only" indicates that someone is providing a limited or incomplete version of a story, situation, or set of facts.

How can I use "are telling only" in a sentence?

You can use it to point out that someone is not providing all the details or is selectively sharing information. For example, "The report "is telling only" half the story."

What are some alternatives to "are telling only"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "are only conveying", "are selectively revealing", or "are presenting a partial picture".

Is it better to say "are telling only part of the story" or "are telling only half the story"?

Both are acceptable, but "are telling only half the story" implies that a significant portion is being omitted, while "are telling only part of the story" is more general. The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of omission you want to emphasize.