that was telling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was telling" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is often used to indicate that something is revealing or significant. Example: "The sudden change in the CEO's behavior was telling of his impending resignation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"But I had something inside of me that was telling me: 'You know, you're not done.' I still don't know what that means today.

The Guardian - Sport

"As much as I was concerned that I hadn't seen something that was telling me I was paying thousands more than I had expected, I just wanted to get through with this," he said.

The New York Times

– Eli Manning on Steve Smith's signing with the Philadelphia Eagles before the season – "There was a little voice in the back of my mind that was telling me in this league, chances come few and far between, and if you don't take advantage of them they can slip away just as fast as they came.

The New York Times

Chancing upon a father and two sons lying in their own blood in a house in Cyprus, he writes: "I felt as if I had a canvas in front of me and I was, stroke by stroke, applying the composition to a story that was telling itself.

The Guardian

She remembers her difficulty reaching decision-makers at Immunex, where she had "no idea, from a political standpoint, how I could break those kinds of barriers since I didn't have a support system that was telling me about what was going on".

Science Magazine

But the old woman that was telling me of the events of 60 years earlier was right next to me.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

But there are parts that are telling and unappealing.

The New Yorker

Many are the tales that are told.

The Guardian

The love story also becomes one that is told separately.

Wikipedia

However, some of the patients that were told over the phone liked it.

Acta Neurochirurgica

Smile a lot and laugh at jokes that are told.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was telling" to subtly imply a deeper meaning or unstated truth. It's more effective than directly stating your interpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "that was telling" without clearly explaining what was revealed or implied. The statement needs sufficient context for the reader to understand the significance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was telling" functions as a commentary, providing an interpretation of a preceding event or observation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it suggests the presence of a hidden meaning or significance. Examples showcase its use in various narrative and analytical contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that was telling" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that something reveals significant information. Ludwig AI confirms its valid usage. Appearing frequently in news and media, it serves as an evaluative commentary, prompting deeper consideration of the implications of an event or observation. While versatile, it's crucial to provide sufficient context to ensure clarity. Alternatives like "that was revealing" or "that was indicative" can be used for nuanced emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was revealing

Emphasizes the unveiling of previously unknown information or insights.

that was significant

Emphasizes the importance or consequence of the observation.

that was indicative

Focuses on how the observation points towards a broader trend or underlying condition.

that spoke volumes

Highlights the extent of information revealed implicitly, suggesting a lot was understood without being said

that was a sign

Focuses on the observation as a harbinger of future events or conditions.

that was suggestive

Highlights how the observation implies something without explicitly stating it.

that was an insight

Highlights the depth of the understanding gained through the observation.

that was a clue

Emphasizes observation's role as a piece of evidence in understanding something.

that was demonstrative

Highlights the observation's function in proving or showcasing something.

that was an omen

Highlights how that situation might be regarded as an event foretelling good or evil

FAQs

How can I use "that was telling" in a sentence?

Use "that was telling" to indicate that a particular action, event, or statement revealed something important or significant. For instance, "His hesitation before answering "that was telling" of his true feelings".

What are some alternatives to "that was telling"?

You can use alternatives like "that was revealing", "that was indicative", or "that spoke volumes" depending on the context.

Is it always clear what "that was telling" refers to?

No, it's crucial to provide enough context so the reader understands what the "that" refers to. Without context, the phrase can be vague and lose its impact.

What's the difference between "that was telling" and "that is telling"?

"That was telling" refers to something in the past, while "that is telling" refers to something in the present. For example, "His reaction yesterday "that was telling"", versus "His reaction now "that is telling"".