it is pretty telling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it is pretty telling' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when making a subtle comment about a situation or a specific action that implies something about the person or people involved. For example: "John's angry reaction was pretty telling; it's clear he's not happy about the decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"It is pretty telling about the current Danish policies that [some] are not quite sure whether this is a hoax or not," said Zachary Whyte, an asylum and integration researcher at the University of Copenhagen.

Independent

"It is pretty telling about the current Danish policies that [some] are not quite sure whether this is a hoax or not," said Zachary Whyte, an asylum and integration researcher at the University of Copenhagen.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's pretty telling that for all its extensive capabilities, the most popular and successful use for the chameleonic smartphone continues to be communications.

TechCrunch

I think it's pretty telling.

The New York Times

As a metaphor for death, it's pretty telling.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's pretty telling about the sport when people are laughing about that kind of stuff".

Independent

"I think it's pretty telling how widely travelled people are and yet they never maybe examine where they are as much as they could.

The Guardian - Music

It's pretty telling that guys are talking on and off the record about their problems – you don't hear people like LaDainian Tomlinson talk too often about teammates, the way he did about Santonio Holmes.

The New York Times

QUESTION FROM GUEST: I thought it was pretty telling that Semenya's coach at the University of Pretoria, Michael Seme, mixed sexual identifiers (intersex) when referring to how Semenya was doing.

The New Yorker

"But I think the question you have to ask yourself is how he's done that, and it's pretty telling to me that the first pledge he ever made was to repeal the foxhunting ban..

The Guardian

It's pretty telling that Mark Zuckerberg didn't choose Beijing, London or Dubai to have the first Facebook overseas town-hall meeting.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is pretty telling" to subtly highlight an implication without being overly direct. This phrase works well when you want to hint at something rather than state it explicitly.

Common error

Avoid using "it is pretty telling" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms or rephrasing your sentences to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is pretty telling" functions as a commentary phrase, offering a subtle observation about a situation or action. It suggests that there's an underlying meaning or implication that the speaker wants to highlight. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is pretty telling" serves as a commentary, subtly implying a deeper meaning behind a situation or action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While its register is neutral, it's frequently found in news and media contexts. If you're aiming for variety in your writing, consider using alternatives like "that speaks volumes" or "it's rather indicative". Remember to avoid overuse to keep your writing engaging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's rather telling

A slightly more emphatic synonym, emphasizing the significance of the revelation.

it is quite revealing

Directly expresses the revealing nature of the subject, similar to highlighting a disclosure.

that speaks volumes

Emphasizes the clarity and impact of the implied meaning, similar to pointing out something revealing.

that's quite revealing

Directly points out the revealing nature of the situation or action.

it's rather indicative

Highlights the indicative nature of the situation, suggesting it points to a larger truth or trend.

it strongly suggests

Focuses on the suggestive power of the situation, implying a likely conclusion.

that's a clear sign

Emphasizes that an obvious indication of a certain situation.

it reveals a lot

Highlights the revealing aspect of the situation, indicating that it uncovers significant information.

it's quite demonstrative

Focuses on how clearly something shows a particular quality or feeling.

that implies a great deal

Stresses how much the situation hints at or suggests something significant.

FAQs

What does "it is pretty telling" mean?

The phrase "it is pretty telling" means that something reveals information or insights, often subtly or indirectly. It suggests that the situation or action implies something important about the person or people involved.

How can I use "it is pretty telling" in a sentence?

You can use "it is pretty telling" to comment on a situation that reveals something significant. For example: "His reluctance to answer the question was "that's quite revealing" about his involvement."

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

You can use alternatives like "that speaks volumes", "it's rather indicative", or "that's a clear sign" depending on the context.

Is "it is pretty telling" formal or informal?

"It is pretty telling" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or business writing.