most telling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most telling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that reveals important or significant information about a situation or person. Example: "The most telling aspect of the report was the sudden drop in sales figures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

but perhaps the most telling.

The New Yorker

Small gestures were among the most telling.

The New York Times

The months ahead will be most telling.

The Economist

Most telling, though, was Bezos's sheer enthusiasm.

MIT Technology Review

That's the most telling vital sign.

The Washington Post

It is also the most telling.

The Guardian - Film

But it's the trend that's most telling.

The Guardian - Tech

Perhaps most telling is the bottom line.

The New York Times - Health

"The eyes should be the most telling in musical intent.

The New York Times - Arts

But the photos by the K.C.N.A. are most telling.

The New York Times

Yet perhaps his most benign nickname is the most telling.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "most telling" to emphasize the single, most revealing aspect of a situation, observation, or piece of evidence. This helps focus the reader's attention on the core message.

Common error

Avoid using "most telling" repeatedly within a short passage. Vary your language with synonyms like "most revealing" or "most significant" to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most telling" functions as a superlative adjective, modifying a noun to indicate the highest degree of revealing or indicative quality. Ludwig examples confirm its use in highlighting the most significant aspect of a situation or piece of evidence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "most telling" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to highlight the single, most revealing aspect of a situation. According to Ludwig, it's particularly common in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While the phrase is generally acceptable, it's important to avoid overuse and consider alternatives like "most revealing" or "most significant" for variety. Use "most telling" judiciously to draw attention to the core message and avoid redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most revealing

Focuses on the act of uncovering or disclosing information.

most indicative

Emphasizes the phrase's role as a sign or signal.

most significant

Highlights the importance and impact of what is being revealed.

most demonstrative

Emphasizes the act of clearly showing or proving something.

most expressive

Focuses on the conveyance of meaning or feeling.

most representative

Highlights the typical or characteristic nature of what is being shown.

most conspicuous

Emphasizes the obviousness and ease of noticing.

most eloquent

Highlights the power of persuasive or effective expression.

most crucial

Underscores the critical importance of what is being revealed.

most decisive

Highlights the conclusive or determining nature of the revelation.

FAQs

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

Use "most telling" to highlight the most revealing or significant aspect of a situation. For example, "The "most telling" statistic was the drop in customer satisfaction after the policy change".

What are some alternatives to "most telling"?

You can use alternatives like "most revealing", "most indicative", or "most significant" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the tellingest" instead of "most telling"?

While "tellingest" might be understood, it is not standard English. "Most telling" is the preferred and grammatically correct way to express the idea.

What's the difference between ""most telling"" and "very telling"?

"Most telling" indicates the single, most revealing aspect, while "very telling" suggests something is highly revealing, but not necessarily the most revealing. The former implies a higher degree of significance.