telling sign

USAGE SUMMARY

"telling sign" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it as a reference to something that reveals an underlying truth or message. For example, "The stark contrast between the two candidates' campaigns was a telling sign of their differences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's a really telling sign.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Death threats are usually a telling sign.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Romney reinforcements arriving here are a telling sign of a new engagement.

The New York Times

A telling sign would be if they started to buy prosecco-making wineries.

The Economist

"That was a telling sign for us that the animals are here," Mr Skomal said.

Independent

It's a telling sign of just how popular the issue is with the party's base.

The Washington Post

In past recessions, a slowdown in the rate of job loss has been a telling sign.

The New York Times

The state of coral reefs is a telling sign of the health of the seas.

The New York Times - Science

"That's a telling sign of a lack of aggression," Knicks Coach Don Chaney said.

The New York Times - Sports

For the Brooklyn-based comedian, this is a telling sign of the times we live in.

The Guardian

One telling sign of President Boris Yeltsin's decline is the steady leaking away of talent from his administration.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "telling sign", ensure the context clearly supports the interpretation you're implying. The sign should genuinely point towards the conclusion you're drawing.

Common error

Avoid using "telling sign" when the evidence is weak or circumstantial. Overusing the phrase dilutes its impact and can make your analysis seem exaggerated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "telling sign" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its role in identifying something that serves as an indication or revelation of a larger situation or underlying truth. It is used to highlight the significance of a particular observation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "telling sign" effectively highlights something indicative of a larger trend or hidden truth, functioning as a noun phrase that emphasizes significance. Ludwig AI analysis identifies it as grammatically correct and common across reputable sources like the New York Times, Economist, and The Washington Post. While versatile, it's best used when the context strongly supports the implied interpretation and avoided when the evidence is weak. Alternatives such as ""revealing indicator"" or ""significant clue"" can provide nuanced variations, depending on the intended message. Ultimately, mastering "telling sign" enhances analytical writing by adding depth and insight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

revealing indicator

Replaces "telling" with "revealing" and "sign" with "indicator", maintaining the sense of something that uncovers information.

significant clue

Substitutes "telling" with "significant" and "sign" with "clue", suggesting a hint that points to a larger understanding.

suggestive evidence

Uses "suggestive" instead of "telling" and "evidence" in place of "sign", implying information that hints at something else.

indicative factor

Replaces "telling" with "indicative" and "sign" with "factor", highlighting something that serves as an indicator.

important signal

Uses "important" instead of "telling" and "signal" as an alternative to "sign", suggesting a key piece of information.

conclusive pointer

Emphasizes the definitive nature of the sign by using "conclusive" and "pointer", suggesting something that clearly directs attention.

key indicator

Highlights the importance of the sign by using "key", suggesting it is a crucial factor.

meaningful indicator

Replaces "telling" with "meaningful" to convey the importance and relevance of the sign.

clear indication

Uses "clear" to underscore the obvious nature of the sign and "indication" as a synonym.

noteworthy symbol

Swaps "telling" for "noteworthy" and "sign" for "symbol", focusing on the symbolic significance of the indication.

FAQs

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

You can use "telling sign" to indicate that something reveals a deeper truth or underlying issue. For example, "The company's declining stock prices were a "telling sign" of its financial struggles."

What are some alternatives to "telling sign"?

Some alternatives to "telling sign" include "revealing indicator", "significant clue", or "indicative factor". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "clear telling sign"?

While not strictly redundant, "clear telling sign" can be seen as slightly repetitive because "telling" already implies something revealing or evident. Consider using just ""telling sign"" or a more concise alternative.

What's the difference between "telling sign" and "symptom"?

While both suggest something beyond the surface, "telling sign" is broader and can apply to various situations, whereas "symptom" typically refers to an indication of a disease or problem, often in a medical or technical context. The phrase "telling sign" is more versatile.