to be telling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be telling" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express that something is said in earnest. For example, "His expression was so serious that it seemed to be telling me he was telling the truth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He had to be telling the truth.

The New York Times

They are going to be telling us".

The New York Times

You need to be telling them".

The New York Times

At first, Kiarostami appears to be telling his story straight.

The New Yorker

Investors seem to be telling them they're wrong.

The New Yorker

He no longer pretends to be telling true stories.

The New York Times - Books

Immobility, he seems to be telling us, has its satisfactions.

The New York Times - Arts

The analysis seems to be telling us something surprising.

The Guardian

Finally, Abramoff appears to be telling the truth.

The Washington Post

Yet history seems to be telling us otherwise.

The Guardian

I didn't want to be telling any snippets.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be telling" to indicate an ongoing action of communicating something, whether directly or indirectly. For example, "The data seems to be telling a different story than initially expected".

Common error

Avoid using "to be telling" when a simple past tense form like "told" is more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "He was to be telling the story", say "He told the story".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be telling" functions as a progressive infinitive, indicating an action in progress. It often suggests a continuous or ongoing act of communication. As seen in Ludwig, this structure is commonly used to describe what someone or something appears to be doing or conveying.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

15%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be telling" is a grammatically correct and frequently used progressive infinitive phrase. As noted by Ludwig, it functions to describe an ongoing act of communication or narration. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, including news, academia, and general discussions. While highly versatile, remember to choose the tense carefully to avoid errors. When looking for alternative expressions, consider "to be informing" or "to be conveying". It's a versatile phrase but be mindful of more succinct options when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be informing

Focuses more on the act of imparting knowledge directly.

to be conveying

Emphasizes the transmission of a message or idea.

to be indicating

Highlights the act of pointing something out or suggesting something.

to be suggesting

Implies a more subtle form of communication, hinting at something.

to be communicating

Broadly refers to the act of exchanging information.

to be expressing

Focuses on the outward manifestation of thoughts or feelings.

to be reporting

Implies a more formal and factual account of events.

to be disclosing

Highlights the act of revealing information, often something private.

to be revealing

Emphasizes the unveiling of something previously hidden or unknown.

to be notifying

Focuses on formally informing someone of something

FAQs

How can I use "to be telling" in a sentence?

You can use "to be telling" to describe an ongoing action of communicating something. For example, "The evidence seems "to be telling" a different story".

What are some alternatives to "to be telling"?

Alternatives include phrases like "to be informing", "to be conveying", or "to be suggesting", depending on the specific nuance you want to express.

Is it correct to use "to be telling" in formal writing?

Yes, "to be telling" is acceptable in formal writing, especially when describing an ongoing or continuous action of communication. However, consider whether a more concise alternative like "to be informing" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "to be telling" and "to tell"?

"To tell" is the base form of the verb, while "to be telling" indicates a continuous or ongoing action. For instance, "He needs to tell the truth" versus "He seems "to be telling" the truth now".