quite telling

USAGE SUMMARY

"quite telling" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that reveals or indicates a significant truth or information about a situation or person. For example: - The subtle differences in her body language were quite telling of her discomfort in the situation. - His lack of response was quite telling of his true feelings towards the proposal. - The data collected from the survey was quite telling of the current trends in consumer behavior. You can use "quite telling" to add emphasis to the significance of something being revealed. It can also be used in a neutral or negative context.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Maybe that's quite telling".

The Guardian - Music

She said the conversation was "quite telling.

The New York Times

That seems to me quite telling.

The Guardian - Film

Fischer said the result should be quite telling.

Yale University

"At this level of athlete, even small differences can be quite telling".

Independent

"It's quite telling that is the Coca Cola London eye, not the Diet Coke London eye.

Independent

"The social and economic pressures on marriage now are also quite telling.

The Guardian

She says she wasn't quite telling the truth about her therapy session.

The Guardian

It is often engaging and informative, but the arguments don't seem quite telling or quite convincing.

The New York Times - Books

It always seemed to me quite clear when he wasn't quite telling you the truth.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

In our culture, the idea that the sky is devoid of meaning is itself quite telling and quite hazardous in a time of climate change.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "quite telling" with specific details or examples to strengthen your argument and make it more persuasive. For example: “The fact that he avoided eye contact was quite telling about his discomfort with the question.”

Common error

Avoid using "quite telling" excessively in casual conversation or informal writing; its slightly formal tone may sound unnatural or pretentious. Reserve it for situations where a more nuanced and understated observation is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite telling" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, describing something that is revealing or significant. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that something exposes or suggests more than what is immediately apparent. For example, Ludwig shows instances of the phrase being used to describe results, references, and actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "quite telling" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that reveals significant information or insight, without being overly explicit. Ludwig AI confirms that it is used to subtly highlight a revealing aspect, encouraging a deeper understanding. As evidenced by examples in Ludwig, the phrase is most frequently found in News & Media, as well as in academic and scientific contexts. The usage leans toward neutral, fitting well in professional writing and informed observation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very revealing

Emphasizes the extent to which something uncovers information.

highly indicative

Highlights the pointing-to or suggestive nature of the evidence.

rather significant

Focuses on the importance of what is being revealed.

most revealing

Superlative degree, emphasizing that something is supremely revealing.

extremely suggestive

Stresses the power to hint at or imply something.

remarkably informative

Highlights the quality of providing substantial information.

decidedly significant

Emphasizes the importance is not just significant, but definitely so.

unusually revealing

Highlights the surprising or unexpected nature of the revelation.

particularly telling

Emphasizes the uniqueness and significance of the revealing instance.

powerfully demonstrative

Focuses on the strength and clarity with which something is shown or proven.

FAQs

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

Use "quite telling" to indicate that something reveals more than it appears to at first glance. For instance, "His reluctance to answer was "quite telling" about his involvement."

What are some alternatives to "quite telling"?

You could use alternatives such as "very revealing", "highly indicative", or "rather significant" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each alternative emphasizes a slightly different aspect of the revelation.

Is "quite telling" formal or informal?

The phrase "quite telling" is generally considered to be somewhat formal. It fits well in professional writing and news reports but may sound slightly out of place in very casual conversation. /s/It+is+quite+telling

What does it mean when something is described as "quite telling"?

When something is "quite telling", it means it reveals significant information or provides insight into a situation, often in a subtle or indirect way. It suggests there's more to the situation than what is immediately obvious.