telling data

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "telling data" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where data is being described as informative or revealing, but it is not commonly recognized. Example: "The telling data from the survey revealed significant trends in consumer behavior."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The Russian explosions in particular, she said, "are a remarkably telling data set," adding that with bombs, unlike earthquakes, the precise epicenter is known.

The New York Times - Science

Unlike the European Union, which also has its headquarters in Brussels, NATO does not conduct regular opinion surveys, but an internal document on the alliance's image cites some telling data from German Marshall Fund surveys.

The New York Times

"The telling data point is one from last year when the PC market bottomed out and then recovered quickly in comparison to things like TVs, cars and washing machines," Mr. Smith said.

The New York Times - Tech

— MICHAEL D. SHEAR PELLA, Iowa — An informal, unscientific but perhaps telling data point: Of five couples interviewed here in Pella, four of them said they would vote for Rick Santorum tonight, citing his strong conservative track record on social issues like gay marriage and abortion.

The New York Times

An example of a good data technology comes from Tableau a provider of compelling data visualization technology, something important when telling data stories to senior executives.

Forbes

And of course, one telling data point would be how actively the apps are being used in the marketplace once they are downloaded.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

I checked in with ClearStory CEO and Founder Sharmila Mulligan to see what she, her team, and ClearStory customers have learned about telling data-driven stories.

Forbes

All told, data from market researcher Thomson Reuters indicates 16 Romanian tech and telecom companies were acquired in the last three years.

TechCrunch

However, while dashboards can be used to tell data stories, the vast majority of them don't.

Forbes

All told, data from 15,944 subjects were available for analyses.

BMC Public Health

Building the capacity of others to do work with data, tell data-driven stories, and create impact is what we all do, so it was great to connect.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "telling data", consider whether a more common synonym like "revealing data" or "informative data" might improve clarity for your audience. "Telling data" can be effective in emphasizing the narrative aspect of data, but clarity should always be prioritized.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "telling data" in formal reports or academic papers. While not grammatically incorrect, it can sound less precise than alternatives like "significant data" or "indicative data", which are often preferred in formal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "telling data" functions as a modifier plus noun construction, where "telling" acts as an adjective qualifying the noun "data". It describes data that is particularly revealing or informative. The phrase is used to emphasize that the data provides significant insights.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

12%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "telling data" is a phrase used to describe data that is particularly revealing or informative. Ludwig AI classifies it as acceptable, though perhaps not ideal for all contexts. The examples illustrate its usage across various domains, particularly in news and media. While grammatically sound, it's important to consider whether more common synonyms like "revealing data" or "informative data" might offer improved clarity, especially in formal writing. When aiming for a neutral tone, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Revealing data

Replaces "telling" with a more common and direct synonym, emphasizing the revealing nature of the data.

Informative data

Focuses on the data's capacity to provide information, using a broader and widely accepted term.

Significant data

Highlights the importance and impact of the data, rather than its ability to tell a story.

Indicative data

Emphasizes the data's role as an indicator or sign of something else, shifting the focus slightly.

Illustrative data

Highlights the data's illustrative or explanatory nature, suggesting it clarifies a point.

Persuasive data

Changes the focus to the data's ability to convince or persuade, introducing a rhetorical element.

Data that speaks volumes

Emphasizes the data's ability to convey a significant message, using a more figurative expression.

Data providing key insights

Highlights the data's role in offering important insights, making the sentence more verbose.

Data offering critical information

Focuses on the crucial aspect of the information provided by the data, increasing formality.

Data with high explanatory power

Shifts the emphasis to the data's capacity to explain or clarify complex phenomena.

FAQs

What does "telling data" mean?

"Telling data" refers to data that is revealing or informative, providing significant insights or evidence about a particular subject. It implies that the data "tells a story" or reveals something important.

What can I say instead of "telling data"?

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

Is it correct to use the phrase "telling data" in formal writing?

While grammatically acceptable, "telling data" might be perceived as less formal or precise than alternatives like "significant data" or "indicative data". Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

How does "telling data" differ from "data that speaks for itself"?

"Telling data" emphasizes the informative and revealing aspect of the data, whereas "data that speaks for itself" suggests the data is so clear and compelling that no further explanation is needed. They both highlight the importance of the data but in different ways.