concocting tales

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "concocting tales" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of creating or inventing stories, often implying that they are fictional or exaggerated. Example: "The author was known for concocting tales that captivated readers with their imaginative plots."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Instead of concocting tales of alleged censorship, Mr. Wise should write about the virtue of a system that relies on a writer's own ethics and conscience, not government censorship, to discriminate between the newsworthy and the prurient.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I am convinced that the cartoon riots are organized by extremists who concoct tales of desecration of religious symbols to enrage people experiencing so much economic frustration in their own lives.

The New York Times

Ann Waldron, who wrote biographies of Southern writers and books for children and young adults, but then -- at 78 -- decided that she'd rather concoct tales about gruesome murders on the campus of Princeton University, died Friday at her home in Princeton, N.J.

The New York Times

A Recruitment Ad for al Qaeda When it wasn't being sold as a humanitarian mission, the Bush administration cast the war on Iraq as a response to the 9/11 terror attacks, scaring the American public into submission with vials of faux-anthrax and concocted tales about Iraq's ties to al Qaeda.

Huffington Post

Officials said he admitted concocting the tale to prompt an investigation into anonymous criticism of him in fliers and newspapers.

The New York Times

In a courtroom scam, Mr. Marks is acquitted on drug-trafficking charges after concocting a tale about having been a spy for Mexican intelligence and producing a bogus witness.

The New York Times

Prosecutors also say Sotheby's tried to mislead potential buyers and the Cambodian and United States governments by concocting a tale that the sculpture had been seen by a "scholar" in London in the 1960s, before its actual theft.

The New York Times - Arts

"He liked to tell stories," said Mr. Hrones, contending that because Mr. Gerhartsreiter is under 5-foot-5, he concocted "tall tales" to build himself up.

The New York Times

In those days, Mr. Chiriacka explained, agents would encourage their models to concoct scandalous tales to land their names in the papers.

The New York Times

During the trial, Mr. Brennan's lawyer, Mr. Critchley, denounced the overseas money manager, Peter Bond, as a swindler and a liar who concocted phony tales about hiding money for Mr. Brennan in exchange for immunity from the federal government.

The New York Times

The fact that the government is having to concoct "positive" tales about the sanctions system for propaganda purposes suggests that there is a paucity of claimants out there keen to dispense glowing feedback on their experiences, to put it mildly.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "concocting tales" when you want to emphasize the inventiveness or artfulness of creating stories, especially if there's a hint of fabrication or exaggeration.

Common error

Avoid using "concocting tales" in highly formal or academic writing where a more neutral term like "developing narratives" or "creating fictions" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "concocting tales" is a verb phrase acting as a gerund phrase serving as a noun. It describes the action of creating or inventing stories, often with a negative connotation of falseness, as evidenced by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "concocting tales" is a phrase used to describe the act of creating stories, often implying a degree of fabrication or exaggeration. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in News & Media. While it's generally acceptable, avoiding it in highly formal contexts might be wise, opting instead for more neutral alternatives like "developing narratives". The phrase is versatile, but its negative connotation should be considered when choosing to employ it. Ludwig's examples indicate that it's intended to convey doubt or accusation about the authenticity of the stories.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fabricating stories

Emphasizes the untruthfulness of the stories.

inventing narratives

Focuses on the creative act of forming stories.

spinning yarns

Implies a folksy, often exaggerated storytelling style.

making up stories

A more informal way of saying inventing stories, often used when the stories are not true.

creating fictions

Highlights the fictional nature of the stories.

devising narratives

Focuses on the planning and creation of stories.

contriving stories

Suggests scheming or planning the stories.

composing narratives

Implies a more formal and deliberate creation of stories.

formulating tales

Focuses on the structured development of the stories.

dreaming up stories

Suggests a whimsical or imaginative approach to creating stories.

FAQs

What does "concocting tales" mean?

The phrase "concocting tales" means inventing or creating stories, often with an implication that the stories are not entirely true or are cleverly devised.

How can I use "concocting tales" in a sentence?

You might say, "The politician was accused of "concocting tales" to win public support", implying the stories were fabricated for a specific purpose.

What are some alternatives to "concocting tales"?

Alternatives include "fabricating stories", "inventing narratives", or "making up stories", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "concocting tales" formal or informal?

"Concocting tales" is generally considered neutral, but it can lean towards informal depending on the context. It's suitable for news, media, and general conversation, but may be too informal for academic writing.