this is telling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is telling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something conveys important information or reveals a significant insight. Example: "The data shows a significant increase in sales over the last quarter; this is telling of our successful marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This is telling us one important bit of the story.

The New York Times

"This is telling us that sales have stabilized.

The New York Times

So actually this is telling me when I could get an answer and when I couldn't.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This is telling a story of impact, but not simply through numbers.

Harvard University

Given that investment analysts hate to write off stocks, this is telling stuff.

The Economist

"This is telling them that they have to respect all students' gender identities," Ms. Gordon said.

The New York Times

"So this is telling us you don't need tidal heating to power [to produce ice mountains].

The Guardian

I don't believe this is telling the story we want to tell".

The Guardian - Film

"There are all sorts of things that they avoided doing, and to me this is telling.

The Guardian - Tech

The position of the traditional media in all this is telling.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This is telling us that we're dealing with an ancestor who is very bright".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is telling" to introduce an interpretation or conclusion drawn from a set of facts or observations. Ensure the connection between the preceding information and the interpretation is clear and logical.

Common error

Avoid using "this is telling" multiple times in close proximity within the same piece of writing. Vary your phrasing to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding repetitive. Consider alternatives like "this indicates" or "this suggests".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is telling" primarily functions as a comment clause or introductory phrase, used to signal that the speaker or writer is about to offer an interpretation or conclusion based on the preceding information. Ludwig confirms this usage is valid and frequent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

31%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this is telling" is a commonly used phrase to indicate that something reveals important information or insights. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, particularly in news and academic contexts. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse and consider alternative phrasings like "this indicates" or "this suggests" to maintain variety in writing. As exemplified by Ludwig, "this is telling" serves to guide the audience towards a particular interpretation of the facts presented.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this indicates

Replaces "is telling" with a more direct synonym, focusing on the act of pointing something out.

this suggests

Similar to "indicates", but implies a less definitive conclusion.

this reveals

Emphasizes the uncovering of something previously unknown or hidden.

this implies

Focuses on the indirect communication of information, where the meaning is not explicitly stated.

this demonstrates

Highlights the proof or evidence provided by the subject.

this signifies

Indicates that something serves as a symbol or sign of something else.

this highlights

Draws attention to a specific aspect or feature.

this underscores

Emphasizes the importance or significance of something.

this points to

Suggests a direction or potential outcome.

this betrays

Implies an unintentional revealing of something that was meant to be hidden.

FAQs

What does "this is telling" mean?

"This is telling" means that something reveals or suggests important information or insights. It's used to indicate that a particular fact or observation provides a significant clue or understanding about a situation.

How can I use "this is telling" in a sentence?

You can use "this is telling" to introduce an interpretation or conclusion based on evidence. For example, "The increase in customer complaints is telling of a decline in product quality."

What can I say instead of "this is telling"?

You can use alternatives like "this indicates", "this suggests", or "this reveals" depending on the context.

Is "this is telling" formal or informal?

"This is telling" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's generally more suitable for neutral or slightly formal settings. In highly formal writing, you might prefer alternatives like "this demonstrates" or "this underscores".