telling were

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "telling were" is not correct and usable in written English.
It appears to be a grammatical error, as "telling" and "were" do not form a coherent phrase together. Example: "The stories he was telling were captivating."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Most telling were the absences.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Some of the greats, in his telling, were ornery characters.

The New York Times

More telling were small crowds generally for post-1945 art (with exceptions, for example, Balthus and Willem de Kooning).

The Economist

Remind me?'" What was more telling were the shows and decisions that Yentob was eager to discuss.

The Guardian

The sow's ears, in her telling, were subprime mortgages that Wall Street repackaged into triple-A, supposedly risk-free securities that were touted as silk purses.

The New York Times - Magazine

More telling were kind words from the Radical Party leader, Vojislav Seselj, who had roaring battles with Mr. Raznatovic in television debates.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Truth telling was.

The New York Times

More telling was what happened next.

The New York Times - Sports

Most telling is the illegal market.

The Economist

More telling is how the business looks.

The New York Times

Much more telling are the sector calls.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to convey information with impact, use grammatically sound phrases such as "the most telling aspect was" or "what was most telling was". This enhances clarity and credibility in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "telling were" as a direct substitute for phrases like "what was telling" or "the most telling aspect was". This construction is grammatically incorrect and can confuse readers. Instead, restructure your sentence to adhere to standard English grammar.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "telling were" functions as an attempt to highlight significant or revealing aspects within a narrative or situation. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this phrasing is grammatically questionable, and its use can lead to confusion.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "telling were" appears in some published sources, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI flags this as a potential error. The intended purpose is to highlight significant or revealing aspects, particularly in news and media contexts. For clarity and credibility, it is advisable to use grammatically sound alternatives like "what was telling" or "the most telling aspect was". These alternatives ensure that the message is conveyed effectively without grammatical ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

revealing aspects were

Emphasizes the aspects that disclose or unveil something significant, maintaining a similar level of formality.

significant indicators included

Highlights indicators of importance rather than narrative.

notable features were

Focuses on features that stand out and are worth paying attention to.

important details consisted of

Shifts the focus to specific details that carry weight.

key elements comprised

Emphasizes the essential components or parts of something.

conspicuous absences involved

Highlights absences that are easily noticeable.

striking examples encompassed

Focuses on examples that are impressive and easily noticed.

illuminating moments included

Highlights moments that bring clarity or understanding.

the most indicative elements

Highlights elements acting as the best indication of something.

particularly telling facts

This shifts emphasis onto factual information, using "telling" as an adjective.

FAQs

How can I correctly use 'telling' to describe something significant?

Use phrases like "what was "telling"", "the most telling aspect was", or "a telling example is". Ensure the sentence structure is grammatically sound.

What's a more appropriate way to phrase something if I'm tempted to use 'telling were'?

Consider using alternatives such as "the significant indicators included" or "the notable features were". These options provide clarity and adhere to standard English grammar.

Is it ever correct to use the phrase "telling were"?

While some instances might appear in published texts, "telling were" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's best to avoid this phrasing to maintain clarity and credibility in your writing.

What is the difference between 'telling' and 'what was telling'?

"Telling" can be an adjective, but "what was "telling"" is a complete clause that highlights a specific aspect. For example, instead of "telling were the absences", use "what was telling was the absences".