was very telling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was very telling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something reveals something significant or reveals a truth. For example: "The lecturer's sad expression was very telling of the difficult topic he was discussing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

But some of the testimony was very telling.

The New York Times

"I thought him leaving the stage was very telling.

The New York Times

And Joe Biden was very telling – it's something you wouldn't do to a culture you respect.

The New York Times

I thought it was very telling when I asked Sorkin to guess which episode was Zuckerberg's favorite.

The New Yorker

But as a snapshot of where political opinion stands on the immigration issue, it was very telling.

The Guardian

In fact, this addition was very telling: the word of the year in 2010 was "app" and "tweet" the year before that.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

"It's very telling".

The New York Times

"It is very telling".

The New York Times

Whatever it is, it's very telling.

The New York Times

The numbers were very telling.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, this document is very telling.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was very telling" to highlight a specific detail or event that reveals a deeper truth or understanding about a situation or person. Ensure the context makes it clear what is being revealed.

Common error

Avoid using "was very telling" without specifying what was telling. Ensure your sentence provides enough context to clarify the significance of the revelation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was very telling" functions as a linking verb phrase connecting a subject to a descriptive adjective. It emphasizes the revealing or indicative nature of something, suggesting it provides significant insight or understanding. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was very telling" is a commonly used phrase that highlights the revealing nature of a situation or observation. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently employed across diverse contexts, notably in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure you provide sufficient context to clarify what is being revealed to prevent vagueness. Alternatives include "was quite revealing" or "was highly indicative", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate "was very telling" into your writing to add depth and insight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was quite revealing

Emphasizes the revealing nature of something, using 'quite' to soften the intensity compared to 'very'.

was highly indicative

Highlights the indicative quality, suggesting that something strongly points to a particular conclusion.

was extremely revealing

Intensifies the revealing nature of something, suggesting a significant disclosure.

provided a clear indication

Shifts the focus to providing a clear sign, suggesting something is easily understood.

offered significant insight

Emphasizes the insight gained, suggesting a deeper understanding is achieved.

was rather suggestive

Suggests something hints at a particular conclusion, implying a subtle indication.

spoke volumes

Implies something communicated a great deal without the need for words.

revealed much about

Focuses on the act of revealing, highlighting the extent of information disclosed.

gave a strong sense of

Suggests something imparted a powerful feeling or impression.

highlighted the importance of

Emphasizes the importance, indicating that something brought attention to a crucial aspect.

FAQs

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

Use "was very telling" to point out that something revealed a significant insight. For example, "His reaction to the news "was very telling" about his true feelings."

What are some alternatives to using "was very telling"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "was quite revealing", "was highly indicative", or "offered significant insight".

Is it appropriate to use "was very telling" in formal writing?

Yes, "was very telling" is generally acceptable in formal writing, particularly when analyzing events or behaviors. However, ensure your usage is precise and adds value to your analysis.

What is the difference between "was very telling" and "was informative"?

"Was very telling" implies a revelation or insight beyond the surface level, whereas "was informative" simply means something provided useful information. The first suggests a deeper meaning while the second only suggests facts.