telling figures

USAGE SUMMARY

"telling figures" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to refer to specific numbers or statistics that convey important or significant information. Example: The report was filled with telling figures, such as a 20% increase in sales and a 50% decrease in expenses compared to the previous quarter.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

For a government itching to prove that Britain still has manufacturing might, those are telling figures.

Independent

Although Ávila's administration has not publicly released figured on the extent of femicide in his state, the National Citizens Femicide Observatoryy told VICE News that they received rather telling figures from the attorney general's office. .

Vice

And, in one of the report's more telling figures, the number of mobile-connected devices will exceed the number of people on earth by the end of 2012.

TechCrunch

New York magazine reported some telling figures last month on how delayed-notice search warrants -- also known as "sneak-and-peek" warrants -- have been used in recent years.

Huffington Post

One of the most telling figures so far was a government report on Tuesday that 70,000 people had turned themselves in to the police.

The New York Times

But perhaps the most telling figures are the percentage increase of stories about the gay community from 1990 to 1991.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

A telling figure is life expectancy.

The New Yorker

During their conversation, Christopher told Figures that it would require a $50,000 bribe to stop him testifying.

The Guardian

Too much time was lost in the noise of MPs demanding to be told figures they could have looked up themselves beforehand in Google's accounts.

The Guardian - Business

Once aware of the security breach, Australian authorities decided not to tell figures like Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama that their information had been shared.

Vice

The more telling figure is that over the next year, international trade in rice is expected to decline more than 3percentt, when it should be expanding.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "telling figures", ensure you clearly explain why the figures are significant and what conclusions can be drawn from them. Provide context to help the reader understand the implications of the data.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the importance of "telling figures" without sufficient evidence. Ensure your interpretation is supported by the data and avoid drawing unsupported or sensationalist conclusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "telling figures" functions as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. According to Ludwig AI, it refers to specific numbers or statistics that convey important or significant information. It is primarily used to highlight data that reveals something noteworthy.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "telling figures" is used to describe numbers or data points that reveal significant or insightful information. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears across reputable sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Economist. The phrase is versatile enough for news reports, business analyses, and scientific writing. When using "telling figures", ensure you provide sufficient context to explain why the figures are significant and what conclusions can be drawn from them. Alternatives such as "revealing statistics" or "significant data" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

revealing numbers

Simple rephrasing focuses on the numbers and what they reveal.

revealing statistics

Emphasizes the statistical nature of the figures and their ability to reveal insights.

significant data

Highlights the importance and meaningfulness of the data presented.

indicative numbers

Focuses on the role of the numbers as indicators of a larger trend or situation.

illuminating statistics

Stresses the enlightening and clarifying effect of the statistics.

insightful data

Highlights the capacity of the data to provide valuable insights.

demonstrative figures

Focuses on how figures demonstrate or prove a point.

explanatory numbers

Emphasizes the numbers' ability to explain a phenomenon or situation.

suggestive data

Focuses on how the data can suggest a trend or a pattern.

meaningful statistics

Highlights the importance and relevance of the statistical information.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "telling figures" in a report?

When incorporating "telling figures", always provide context. Explain the source of the data, the methodology used to collect it, and any potential limitations. This ensures the figures are interpreted accurately and strengthens your argument.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "telling figures"?

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

What makes certain figures "telling"?

Figures become "telling" when they reveal a significant trend, pattern, or insight that is not immediately obvious. They often highlight disparities, confirm hypotheses, or challenge existing assumptions.

How do I avoid misinterpreting "telling figures"?

To avoid misinterpreting "telling figures", always cross-reference them with other data sources and consider potential confounding variables. Ensure your interpretation is grounded in a thorough understanding of the underlying data.