so telling

USAGE SUMMARY

"so telling" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is significant or revealing in a certain context, often when providing support for an argument. For example: "The discrepancy between the two sets of figures was so telling - clearly, there had been a major misreporting of results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

CUMMINGS: What is so telling is that we issued virtually the same report a year ago.

Independent

Which is why the next few days in Europe will be so telling.

The Guardian - Opinion

Also, I come from Croydon, so telling me to go home really is incredibly cruel.

The Guardian - Opinion

So telling a young person, "Just get a job" is not tough love.

The Guardian - Opinion

So telling the Mary Seacole story is something that makes us proud".

The Guardian - Arts

The teams' game Monday night at Madison Square Garden was so telling.

The New York Times - Sports

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Tom Coughlin's face is so telling that it may as well be made of neon.

The New York Times - Sports

So telling your boss "I was in the middle of the Amazon" just won't cut it as an excuse.

The Guardian - Tech

So telling people that their peers are cooperating is one of the best ways to get people to cooperate themselves.

The Guardian

It sticks to the facts and circumscribes its action within the space of a week or so, telling the middle portion of a much longer story.

The New York Times

So telling women who want to work that they or their children will be better off if they stay home is a mistake.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "so telling" to emphasize the significance or revealing nature of a particular fact or event. This can strengthen your argument by highlighting its importance.

Common error

Avoid using "so telling" excessively in casual conversation. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly dramatic or forced in informal settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "revealing" or "significant" depending on context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so telling" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to emphasize its significance or revealing nature. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "so telling" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize the significance and revealing nature of something. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It functions as an adjectival phrase, highlighting the importance of a particular detail. While suitable for both formal and informal contexts, it is most frequently found in news and media, as well as scientific writing. When using this phrase, be mindful of the potential for overuse in casual settings, and consider alternatives like "very revealing" or "highly significant" to maintain a natural tone. By understanding its nuances, you can effectively leverage "so telling" to strengthen your writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

noticeably telling

Similar to "so telling" but with emphasis on the noticeable aspect.

incredibly revealing

Similar to "very revealing" but with added intensity.

very revealing

Emphasizes the revealing aspect more directly than the original phrase.

terribly significant

Similar to "highly significant" but with a stronger emphasis.

highly significant

Highlights the importance or significance of something.

especially meaningful

Emphasizes the depth of meaning conveyed.

quite indicative

Focuses on the indication or suggestion provided by something.

particularly expressive

Focuses on how something conveys a feeling or idea.

extremely demonstrative

Emphasizes how clearly something shows or proves a point.

remarkably suggestive

Highlights the suggestive nature of something, implying more than is explicitly stated.

FAQs

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

You can use "so telling" to emphasize the significance or revealing nature of something. For instance, "The fact that he didn't apologize is so telling about his character."

What phrases are similar to "so telling"?

Alternatives include "very revealing", "highly significant", or "quite indicative". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "so telling" a formal or informal expression?

"So telling" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more common in journalistic or analytical writing. In very casual conversations, simpler alternatives may be preferable.

What makes something "so telling"?

Something is "so telling" when it reveals a deeper truth or understanding about a situation or person. It suggests that the detail in question is particularly significant or revealing.