telling name

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "telling name" is not correct and usable in written English.
Instead, you could use phrases such as "apt name," "suitable name," or "evocative name." For example, "The company chose the apt name 'Sparkle' for their cleaning supplies."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

PAGE 27 CHANGING FACE OF AIDS They call themselves the Divas, a telling name for this group of African-American and Hispanic women over 50 who are H.I.V. positive.

The New York Times

In his first speech as secretary of state for work and pensions, in 2008, James Purnell underlined the significance of this move: "My title … embodies an ideological break with the past... What a telling name: security as something handed down; welfare as bureaucratic transfer; people as recipients of funds … The new title tells a wholly different story.

The Guardian - Opinion

The kind of financing at issue, since discredited, goes by the telling name of "death spiral preferred".

Forbes

Despite gains in social justice, authoritarian, one-party rule was established under the telling name of the Revolutionary Institutional Party PRII, by its Spanish initials), whose rule lasted for 71 years.

Huffington Post

Barbados is widely acknowledged to be the birthplace of rum – although back then the tipple had a more telling name.

The Times

This shell of former glory is still protected by a burglar alarm bearing the telling name "Albion Security": You could strip all the romance from a place if you were determined enough, even the romance of decay.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"The algo-trading programs have telling names.

The Guardian - Opinion

The women who have experience, they tell me: '(name respondent) don't.' They are so scared.

BMJ Open

However, 47.1% of the patients were not told the name of their illness.

BMC Health Services Research

(R14, female, Somalia) The women who have experience, they tell me: '(name respondent) don't.' They are so scared.

BMJ Open

The mothers were not told the name of the condition and did not have direct experience with diagnosed asthma.

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While the phrase "telling name" is sometimes used, consider using more grammatically sound alternatives like "apt name" or "revealing name" for clearer communication. Review your sentence and consider if the context would be better served by a more descriptive adjective.

Common error

Avoid using "telling name" in formal writing. This phrase, although understandable, lacks the precision and grammatical correctness preferred in professional or academic contexts. Choose alternatives that convey the intended meaning more clearly and accurately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "telling name" functions as an adjective-noun combination, intended to describe a name that reveals or indicates something significant. However, according to Ludwig AI, this phrase isn't quite right for standard English. It attempts to modify the noun "name" with an adjective that suggests it conveys information.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Academia

7%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "telling name" is used to describe a name that is particularly descriptive or revealing. However, according to Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically incorrect. While understandable, it's better to opt for more grammatically sound alternatives such as "apt name", "revealing name", or "descriptive name", which provide clarity and precision. "Telling name" appears most frequently in news and media sources. Therefore, it is essential to consider the context and audience when choosing your words.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apt name

Focuses on the suitability and appropriateness of the name.

fitting name

Similar to 'apt name', highlighting the suitability of the name.

appropriate name

Another synonym for 'apt name', emphasizing correctness and suitability.

suitable name

Indicates the name is well-suited for its purpose.

revealing name

Emphasizes the name's ability to reveal something about the person or thing it identifies.

descriptive name

Highlights the name's characteristic of describing or explaining something.

indicative name

Stresses that the name is a sign or indication of something.

meaningful name

Highlights the name's depth of meaning or symbolism.

significant name

Indicates that the name holds importance or meaning.

suggestive name

Implies that the name hints at or suggests something about the entity it names.

FAQs

What does "telling name" mean?

A "telling name" is intended to suggest that a name is revealing or indicative of something about the person, place, or thing it identifies. However, it's not considered grammatically sound.

What are some alternatives to "telling name"?

You can use alternatives such as "apt name", "revealing name", or "descriptive name" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "telling name" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "telling name" is not considered grammatically correct in formal English. It's better to use alternatives that are more grammatically sound.

When is it appropriate to use "telling name"?

While generally discouraged, "telling name" might be acceptable in informal conversation or creative writing where strict grammatical rules are relaxed. However, in formal or professional contexts, it's best to use a more precise and grammatically correct alternative.