telling questions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "telling questions" is not standard in English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where one is referring to questions that reveal information or insights, but it is not commonly recognized. Example: "The interviewer asked several telling questions that revealed the candidate's true motivations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Religious leaders attending the workshops asked telling questions, said Mr. Rolfes, who runs the program.

The New York Times

"The Unity of Nature" offers an exhilarating glimpse of a strong mind at work on some of the most telling questions our century knows how to ask.

The New York Times - Books

After class, Fakhet would ask telling questions, such as whether the imam believed that the leaders of the Arab countries were true believers, or if Islam authorized the use of force to spread the religion.

The New Yorker

The problem here is that YouGov obscured the answers to these telling questions by devising a generic composite score which lumps together responses to very different kinds of questions.

The Guardian

But there are also less obvious — and telling — questions you probably don't realize you should ask, particularly in today's market.

TechCrunch

Swapping your lackluster, common interview questions with these telling questions will help you end your interviews on a high-note.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

In the case of Teresa Heinz Kerry, the pundits have been asking a telling question.

The New York Times

The telling question thus becomes: why such resistance, particularly from Germany, to every idea that would end the euro crisis?

The Guardian - Opinion

"How can you expect to unify the country when you can't unify your party?" was a telling question at one of his meetings.

The Economist

And where Justice John Paul Stevens often asked one telling question near the end of an argument, Justice Kagan is in the thick of the discussion throughout.

The New York Times

A friend visiting from England who recently accompanied me to a minor league baseball game in Staten Island asked a very telling question that night.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "telling questions" when you want to emphasize that the questions asked reveal something significant about a person, situation, or subject. The questions should be insightful and go beyond surface-level inquiries.

Common error

Avoid using "telling questions" when the questions are simply numerous or complex. The phrase implies that the questions themselves are revealing, not just that they require effort to answer.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "telling questions" functions as an adjective modifying a noun. The adjective "telling" describes the quality of the questions, indicating that they are revealing or significant. As seen in the Ludwig examples, these questions expose information that is not immediately apparent.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "telling questions" describes questions that reveal significant information or insights. While Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct, its frequency is uncommon. The phrase is predominantly used in news and media contexts to describe insightful inquiries that expose crucial details. Consider using alternatives like "revealing questions" or "insightful questions" for similar effect. When using "telling questions", ensure that the questions truly uncover something meaningful about the subject matter.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

revealing questions

Replaces 'telling' with 'revealing', focusing on the act of uncovering information.

insightful questions

Replaces 'telling' with 'insightful', emphasizing the depth and understanding the questions demonstrate.

probing questions

Replaces 'telling' with 'probing', highlighting the thorough and investigative nature of the questions.

significant questions

Focuses on the importance and impact of the questions.

pertinent questions

Emphasizes the relevance and appropriateness of the questions to the situation.

incisive questions

Highlights the sharp and clear nature of the questions.

pivotal questions

Emphasizes the importance of the questions in changing a situation.

key questions

Focuses on the fundamental nature of the questions.

illuminating questions

Emphasizes the clarifying nature of the questions.

critical questions

Highlights the questions' importance in making a decision or understanding a situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "telling questions" to describe inquiries that reveal crucial information. For example, "The detective asked several telling questions that helped solve the case."

What can I say instead of "telling questions"?

You can use alternatives like "revealing questions", "insightful questions", or "probing questions" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "telling questions" or "telling question"?

"Telling questions" is used to refer to multiple insightful inquiries, while "telling question" refers to a single, revealing question. Choose the form that matches the number of questions you're describing.

What makes a question a "telling question"?

A "telling question" is one that uncovers hidden assumptions, reveals deeper truths, or provides significant insights into a person's character or a situation's nature. It's a question with a revealing impact.