its telling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "its telling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the significance or meaning of something being revealed or expressed. Example: "The way she described her experience, its telling of her resilience and strength was truly inspiring."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It asks the reader to relish its artifice - the story's interest is entirely in the manner of its telling - and the artifice repays the attention it demands.

The Guardian - Books

The story told and the manner of its telling conjoin in Caravaggio's work.

The New Yorker

As a parable, "The Body" has its telling moments, especially in the first half.

The New Yorker

Yet this does not diminish or compromise the delicate artistry of its telling.

The Guardian - Books

Yet this does not diminish or compromise the delicate artistry of its telling.

The Guardian - Books

The considerable satisfactions of this story lie mostly in the skill of its telling.

The New Yorker

But the test of course is in the tale and its telling.

The New York Times - Books

The story is a muted melodrama made strange and haunting by the manner of its telling.

The New York Times

Everyone who has seriously written of this history has grappled, futilely, with this knot: the impossibility of its telling.

The Guardian - Books

Since there was also a power partaking of the prophetic faculty, the power is called Themis, because of its telling what is appointed and fixed for each person.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The action of the story turns out to be less significant than the manner of its telling.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "its telling" when you want to emphasize the manner in which a story or information is conveyed, rather than just the facts themselves.

Common error

Avoid using "its telling" when you intend to emphasize the content of the story itself. "Its significance" is a better fit when the key is in the content, not in the way it's being narrated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "its telling" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a complement or object, emphasizing the manner in which something is communicated or narrated. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "its telling" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to emphasize the manner of communication rather than just the communicated information itself. Ludwig AI confirms that it appears across various contexts, especially in news, media, and academia. Understanding the subtleties of "its telling" can help you choose the perfect nuance to convey. Keep in mind that the key is focusing the attention of the reader on the way the content is being expressed. Be mindful when deciding to use this expression, because it's easy to make a mistake and use it to refer the content itself. Some good alternatives if the core of the expression is the content and not the form include: "its significance", "its relevance", or "its importance".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

its significance

Emphasizes the importance or consequence of something.

its indication

Focuses on something serving as a sign or signal.

its revelation

Focuses on the act of something being revealed or disclosed.

the manner of its expression

Emphasizes the style or method used to communicate something.

its communication

Focuses on the act of conveying information or feelings.

its disclosure

Highlights the act of making something known.

the way it conveys

Shifts the focus to the manner in which something is communicated.

its demonstration

Highlights the act of showing or proving something.

its exposition

Emphasizes a comprehensive description or explanation of an idea or theory.

the art of its narrative

Highlights storytelling aspect and skills of the speaker.

FAQs

How can I use "its telling" in a sentence?

Use "its telling" to emphasize the manner in which a story or information is conveyed. For example: "The film is captivating because of "its telling" of the events, not just the events themselves".

What can I say instead of "its telling"?

Alternatives include "its significance", "its revelation", or "the manner of "its expression"" depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "its telling"?

Yes, it is incorrect to use "its telling" if you are trying to highlight the importance or relevance of the topic itself and not the manner of conveying it. In such cases, "its significance" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "its telling" and "its significance"?

"Its telling" refers to the way a story is presented or narrated, while "its significance" refers to the importance or meaning of something.