telling effect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "telling effect" is not commonly used in written English and may not be widely recognized.
It can be used when discussing the impact or influence of a narrative or statement, particularly in literary or rhetorical contexts. Example: "The author's use of vivid imagery had a telling effect on the reader's emotions, drawing them deeper into the story."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Staples used an exquisite mezza voce to telling effect.

The Guardian - Music

Any one of Labour's leadership candidates, if they had chosen, could have opened all this up to telling effect.

The Guardian - Opinion

The absence of Ferguson was a fillip for Hearts and one that they exploited to telling effect.

The Guardian - Sport

Milner believes Hodgson is starting to put his ideas across to telling effect after succeeding Fabio Capello last May.

Independent

Ultimately, Ms. Herrera's book is saved by a Frida of its own: Mougouch, whose letters she quotes from extensively and to telling effect.

The New York Times - Books

Ms. Bourgeois may have contributed nothing new to the technical exploration of prints, but she has used the medium to telling effect.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Long hours, heavy teaching and admin loads, along with expectations of research activity all have telling effects.

The Guardian

It can't be easy to capture such fleeting yet telling effects of man-made light and then present them in such expertly composed and beautifully printed images.

The New York Times - Arts

But certain decisions have a telling demonstration effect beyond their actual content.

The Economist

And still no telling what effect, if any, an XM-Sirius merger would have on this deal.

TechCrunch

He has been told, in effect, to pipe down.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "telling effect" to emphasize the impact or influence of an action or event, particularly in contexts where the effect is clear and significant. For example, "The policy change had a "telling effect" on employee morale."

Common error

Avoid using "telling effect" when a more direct term like "significant impact" or "powerful influence" would provide greater clarity. "Telling effect" is most effective when emphasizing a subtle but important consequence, not a general outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "telling effect" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "telling" acts as an adjective modifying "effect". It describes the quality or nature of the effect as being significant or revealing. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically sound and contextually appropriate.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

23%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "telling effect" is a grammatically correct and relatively common expression used to emphasize the importance or significance of an outcome. Ludwig AI analysis indicates it's frequently found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, suggesting a professional, yet neutral register. To enhance clarity, consider alternatives like "significant impact" or "powerful influence" depending on the nuance you want to convey. Remember to employ "telling effect" when highlighting a clear and demonstrative impact, rather than a general result. By considering these points, you can effectively use "telling effect" to strengthen your writing and emphasize critical outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant impact

Replaces "telling" with "significant", focusing on the importance of the effect.

powerful influence

Substitutes "telling effect" with a more direct description of strong influence.

marked impact

Uses "marked" instead of "telling" to emphasize a noticeable effect.

considerable impact

Replaces "telling" with "considerable", highlighting the extent of the effect.

substantial effect

Similar to "significant impact", but uses "substantial" to describe the magnitude of the effect.

noticeable influence

Focuses on the ease with which the influence can be observed.

evident impact

Highlights the clear and obvious nature of the effect.

demonstrable effect

Emphasizes that the effect can be shown or proven.

pronounced influence

Indicates a very noticeable or distinct influence.

palpable impact

Suggests that the impact is so strong it can almost be felt.

FAQs

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

You can use "telling effect" to describe a situation where something has a noticeable or significant impact. For example, "The new marketing campaign had a "telling effect" on sales."

What phrases are similar to "telling effect"?

Alternatives to "telling effect" include "significant impact", "powerful influence", or "marked impact" depending on the specific context.

Is "telling effect" a formal or informal expression?

"Telling effect" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is generally more appropriate for writing or speaking that requires a certain level of sophistication or precision. It is not slang.

How does "telling effect" differ from "significant effect"?

While both phrases indicate a noteworthy consequence, "telling effect" often implies a revealing or demonstrative impact, highlighting how the effect clarifies or emphasizes something important, while "significant effect" simply notes importance.