is telling of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is telling of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiomatic expression which means to communicate or reveal something. You can use it to give a figurative description of how something implies something else. For example: The empty halls of the once bustling city is telling of the destruction left by the war.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

This episode is telling of Merkel's leadership style.

The Guardian - Opinion

The devastation is telling of the turbulence of Bolivia's politics these days.

The New York Times

The search for new work for Mr. Urdangarin is telling of how the family operates in its rarefied world.

The New York Times

Naturally, the role of religion in politics is now being debated, and in fact the recent debate is telling of this change.

The New York Times

That Thomas remained in the Army, enduring brutal, unglamorous assignments, is telling of his dedication to the nation and his job.

The New York Times

Will "Status" Kennard is telling of his awkward Larry David-esque internal dialogue when he met Rihanna for the first time, to produce her Rated R album.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

A folk story is told of Ramprasad's death.

Wikipedia

This, I thought, was telling of Fashion Week.

Vice

I think that's telling of what this place is.

Vice

Relatives were told of the discovery.

The Guardian

Seventy-four pereportedporthatthey thad had not been told of any side effects of TCM.

Complementary Therapies in Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "is telling of", ensure that the subject clearly and logically connects to the implication you are drawing. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

While grammatically sound, frequent use of "is telling of" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure with alternatives such as "is indicative of" or "reveals" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is telling of" functions as a linking verb followed by a predicate adjective, indicating that the subject reveals or suggests something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a valid and common idiomatic expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

20%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is telling of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that subtly implies a deeper meaning or connection. Ludwig AI confirms its validity as an idiomatic expression. It’s most commonly found in news and media, science, and academic contexts, making it suitable for analytical and descriptive writing. While a versatile phrase, it's advisable to avoid overuse and consider alternatives like "is indicative of" or "reveals" to maintain writing diversity and engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is indicative of

Indicates a sign or symptom, suggesting a more direct indication.

is suggestive of

Implies a hint or indirect indication, a weaker form of revelation.

is emblematic of

Represents something as a symbol, focusing on representation.

is symptomatic of

Highlights that something is a symptom or sign of a larger issue.

is illustrative of

Serves as a clear example, focusing on demonstration.

reveals

Directly uncovers or discloses information, simpler structure.

demonstrates

Clearly shows or proves something, focusing on proof.

highlights

Brings attention to something important, focusing on emphasis.

points to

Suggests a direction or conclusion, often less direct.

betrays

Unintentionally reveals something, adding a sense of unintended disclosure.

FAQs

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

Use "is telling of" to suggest that something reveals or indicates a deeper meaning. For example, "The decline in sales is telling of changing consumer preferences."

What can I say instead of "is telling of"?

You can use alternatives like "is indicative of", "is suggestive of", or "demonstrates" depending on the context.

Is "is telling of" formal or informal?

"Is telling of" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's often more appropriate for analytical or descriptive writing where you're inferring meaning from observations.

What's the difference between "is telling of" and "is indicative of"?

While both phrases suggest that something reveals information, "is telling of" implies a narrative or suggestive quality, while "is indicative of" points to a more direct or symptomatic relationship.