lots of telling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lots of telling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is an excessive amount of explanation or narration, often in storytelling or writing contexts. Example: "The novel had lots of telling, which made it difficult for readers to engage with the characters' emotions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Made lots of telling tackles.

The Guardian - Sport

She says her ability to rise and shine at the crack of dawn is down to pure will power – and lots of telling herself she is not tired.

The Guardian

Sites are arranged by topic, or by location (it's GPS-sensitive) and descriptions are filled with lots of telling detail.

Los Angeles Times

Of course, you need police even during war so his job is vital and invariably includes lots of telling crimes (black market, Nazis and so on) that relate to the war.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Since I started this job more than a year and a half ago, I've done a lot of eating and a lot of telling.

The New York Times

Lot's of telling them "No" and bad smells, and "the stove is hot".

WikiHow

"We had lots of people telling us we needed to do something different in China to compete.

The Guardian - Tech

(Yes, at that point I didn't know the difference between show and tell, and earlier drafts did a lot of telling).

Huffington Post

Lots of critics tell the same story.

The New Yorker

"Lots of people tell us that".

The New York Times

"Lots of people tell me I'm good," the girl says of her art.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lots of telling" in creative writing, consider showing rather than telling to create a more engaging experience for the reader.

Common error

Avoid attributing every minor action or thought to characters through "lots of telling" in dialogue tags. Vary your approach to make conversations feel more natural and less explanatory.

Linguistic Context

Descriptive phrase: "Lots of telling" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatical and describes instances where narration or exposition is abundant. The phrase highlights the act of conveying information, often implying a stylistic choice or potential weakness in writing if overused.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lots of telling" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe situations with abundant narration or explanation. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is acceptable and shows that it is found in various sources, predominantly in News & Media and Wiki contexts. When writing, consider if "showing rather than telling" could enhance engagement, especially in creative works, avoiding overuse in dialogue to maintain a natural flow. Alternatives like "excessive narration" or "too much exposition" can offer nuanced expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

too much explanation

Directly states there is too much explaining.

a great deal of narration

Replaces "lots of" with "a great deal of", focusing on the act of narrating.

excessive exposition

Uses a more formal term, "exposition", to imply too much explaining.

overabundance of detail

Highlights the excessive amount of details provided.

copious reporting

Emphasizes extensive reporting or relaying of information.

extensive account

Focuses on providing a detailed story or record.

abundant revelation

Highlights the plentiful revealing of information.

profuse declaration

Suggests an overabundance of statements or announcements.

ample communication

Focuses on the large amount of communication taking place.

considerable disclosure

Implies a significant amount of information being revealed.

FAQs

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

You can use "lots of telling" to describe situations where there's excessive narration or explanation. For example, "The book suffered from "too much telling", which made it less engaging".

What are some alternatives to "lots of telling"?

Alternatives include "excessive narration", "overabundance of detail", or "too much exposition". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "lots of telling" in writing?

It is appropriate when you want to emphasize that there is an excessive amount of narration or explanation. However, be mindful of your audience and whether "showing rather than telling" might be more effective.

What is the difference between "lots of telling" and "lots of showing"?

"Lots of telling" refers to explaining events or details directly, while "lots of showing" involves depicting events or details through actions, sensory experiences, and dialogue, allowing the audience to infer information.