it was telling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was telling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something revealed or conveyed important information or insights. Example: "The way she hesitated while speaking was telling of her true feelings about the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Guidant said Friday it was telling doctors to stop using five models of its implantable cardiac defibrillators because a faulty switch could cause it to malfunction.

Forbes

But it was telling.

The New York Times

Each was as disturbing as it was telling.

Independent

By that time, I'd discovered music and it was telling me there was another way".

Independent

It was telling that he didn't wait for the House to actually vote.

The New Yorker

Hollywood knew it was telling stories so exciting and challenging that audiences would suspend disbelief.

The Economist

It was telling that Mr Valls devoted most of his radio interview to attacking her.

The Economist

It wasn't telling you how to think — it was telling you what to think about.

The New York Times - Tech

"I was watching the satnav and it was telling us to go one way, then another.

The Guardian - Sport

It was telling that all five Yorkshire wickets came unassisted by any fielder.

The Guardian - Sport

It was telling me that to be 6-years-old was to be lucky.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was telling" to subtly convey that something revealed a deeper truth or underlying sentiment, without stating it explicitly. It allows you to hint at implications.

Common error

Avoid using "it was telling" when the information is already directly stated or obvious. This can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was telling" functions as a commentary device. It introduces an observation about a situation, action, or statement, suggesting that it reveals something significant or indicative of a deeper meaning. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was telling" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its primary function is to subtly convey that something revealed an underlying truth or deeper meaning. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, this phrase serves as a commentary device to encourage the audience to interpret beyond the surface level. When using "it was telling", ensure it adds insightful commentary rather than stating the obvious. Alternatives such as "it was indicative" or "it was revealing" can be used to fine-tune the message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was indicative

Replaces "telling" with "indicative", focusing on the sign-like quality of the observation.

it was revealing

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

it suggested

Uses "suggested" instead of "telling", implying a hint rather than a direct statement.

it implied

Replaces "telling" with "implied", focusing on the indirect communication of information.

it demonstrated

Shifts the focus to a display of evidence, suggesting a more overt revelation.

it highlighted

Changes the emphasis to emphasizing or drawing attention to something.

it underscored

Similar to "highlighted", but suggesting a reinforcement of something already present.

it betrayed

Implies an unintentional revelation of information or feelings.

the subtext was

Shifts the focus to the implied meaning beneath the surface.

the message was

More direct, referring to the explicit communication.

FAQs

How can I use "it was telling" in a sentence?

Use "it was telling" to suggest that something revealed a hidden meaning or implication. For example, "it was telling that he avoided eye contact" suggests he was hiding something.

What are some alternatives to "it was telling"?

You can use alternatives like "it was revealing", "it was indicative", or "it suggested that" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it was telling" a formal or informal expression?

"It was telling" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the overall tone and style of your writing.

What does "it was telling" mean?

"It was telling" means that something provided insight or revealed information, often subtly or indirectly. It implies that there's more to the situation than what is immediately apparent.