telling of

USAGE SUMMARY

"telling of" is a phrase that is used in written English.
It is often used when someone is recounting a story or event. For example, "The old man told tales, telling of great adventures from his younger days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Personality of Count Keyseling, telling of his eccentricities.

The New Yorker

It's an allegorical telling of his life".

Independent

It's a fictional telling of real events.

The New York Times

History or the telling of it?

The New York Times - Arts

Now it's just responsible telling of history.

The New York Times - Arts

This has set the stage for the telling of Anansi.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Story-telling of children's stories in 6 languages.

Stanford University

Tells of Wm.

The New Yorker

Tells of Mlle.

The New Yorker

Tells of the obstacles.

The New Yorker

Tells of his impressions.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "telling of" when you want to emphasize the act of narrating or recounting a story or event, especially one with significance or detail.

Common error

Avoid using "telling of" in very formal or academic writing where more precise terms like "analysis of" or "explanation of" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "telling of" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as a noun modifier or part of a larger noun phrase. It describes the act of narrating or recounting something, whether it's a story, event, or history. Ludwig provides numerous examples that illustrate this function.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

29%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "telling of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe the act of narrating or recounting a story, event, or history. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse contexts, including news, academic writing, and general narratives. While its register is generally neutral, it's important to consider the specific context to avoid overuse in excessively formal settings. Alternatives like "account of" or "narration of" can offer more precise nuances. By understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate usage, you can effectively incorporate "telling of" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

account of

Focuses on a detailed report or narrative of an event or story.

narration of

Emphasizes the act of storytelling or providing a spoken or written commentary.

description of

Highlights the process of giving details about someone or something.

portrayal of

Suggests a representation, often artistic, of a subject or event.

recounting of

Focuses on the act of narrating events from the past.

version of

Implies a particular perspective or interpretation of events.

explanation of

Highlights the process of making something clear or understandable.

interpretation of

Focuses on a subjective understanding or analysis.

representation of

Suggests a symbolic or visual depiction of something.

chronicle of

Emphasizes a historical record of events in chronological order.

FAQs

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

Use "telling of" to describe the act of recounting a story or event, as in, "Her telling of the events was captivating."

What phrases are similar to "telling of"?

Alternatives include "account of", "narration of", or "description of", which each offer slightly different nuances depending on the context.

Is "telling of" suitable for formal writing?

While "telling of" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "analysis of" or "explanation of" may be more appropriate in strictly academic or professional contexts.

What is the difference between "telling of" and "account of"?

"Telling of" emphasizes the act of narration, while "account of" suggests a more detailed and factual report.