telling about

USAGE SUMMARY

"telling about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a description, example, or explanation. For example: "Telling about his exciting adventure, he described what he saw on his way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Story ends telling about old Mr. Spoffard on the way to the river to drown 6 kittens against his wwill.

The New Yorker

Elaborate on the lifestyle factors you were telling about, etc.

BMC Public Health

Carolyn grinned widely, telling about it.

The New York Times - Magazine

There's something rather telling about that.

The Guardian - Music

Gives history of modern Jamaican politics, telling about leaders Wm.

The New Yorker

That's really telling about how we think and find creativity".

Independent

"We'll have little signs telling about their history.

The New York Times

You have pictures in your mind that you're telling about.

The New Yorker

It's very telling about what current artists are going through.

The New York Times

Little Bill's telling about his trip to Omaha.

The New Yorker

That is telling about what the Tampa Bay offense faces.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "telling about" to introduce a specific story, experience, or set of details within a narrative or explanation. It sets the stage for sharing information in a conversational or descriptive manner.

Common error

Avoid using "telling about" in highly formal or academic writing where a more precise verb like "describing", "explaining", or "narrating" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "telling about" functions as a verb phrase introducing a narrative, description, or explanation. This usage aligns with Ludwig's analysis, which confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "telling about" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase, as affirmed by Ludwig. It functions to introduce a narrative or description, with a communicative purpose of conveying information or sharing experiences. While versatile, it leans towards a neutral to informal register, making it less suitable for highly formal or academic contexts. The phrase is prevalent in news media and scientific articles, as seen in Ludwig's examples. For more formal writing, alternatives like "describing" or "explaining" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

describing

Focuses more directly on the act of providing details.

explaining

Emphasizes clarifying or making something understandable.

narrating

Highlights the act of storytelling or recounting events.

recounting

Implies the act of retelling something that has already occurred.

relating

Suggests conveying information or connecting events.

detailing

Focuses on providing specific information.

reporting

Implies conveying factual information, often in a formal setting.

communicating

A broader term for conveying information, not necessarily detailed.

outlining

Suggests providing a summary or overview.

presenting

Highlights the act of formally introducing information.

FAQs

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

You can use "telling about" to introduce a narrative or description, such as, "She started "telling about" her trip to Italy".

What are some alternatives to "telling about"?

Alternatives include "describing", "explaining", or "narrating", depending on the specific context.

Is "telling about" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "telling about" is more informal. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "describing" or "explaining".

What's the difference between "telling about" and "talking about"?

"Telling about" often implies a more detailed narrative or description, whereas "talking about" is a more general term for discussing a topic.