The idiomatic expression "it goes without saying" means that something is so obvious, self-evident, or universally understood that it doesn't need to be stated explicitly. It's a way of acknowledging a shared understanding or a point that is considered common knowledge.
While the literal meaning might suggest a silent agreement, the idiom is almost always used in speech or writing to highlight something obvious, often for emphasis.
The origin isn't precisely documented, but the phrase has been in common usage for centuries, reflecting a natural human tendency to acknowledge shared assumptions.
Register: Neutral
"It goes without saying" is a fairly flexible phrase. It can be used at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence, and it can be parenthetical. It is often followed by "that" when introducing a clause, but this is not always necessary. It can also be modified with adverbs like "almost" or used sarcastically.
What sounds unnatural:
These examples are sourced from it goes without saying on Ludwig.guru.
"It goes without saying." — The New York Times - Magazine
"It goes without saying she's an atheist." — The Guardian
"It goes without saying it's incredibly catchy." — The Guardian - Music
"It goes without saying that this is a gross simplification." — Columbia University
"And it goes without saying: Purell on the hour." — The New York Times
Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/it+goes+without+saying
| Phrase | Context |
|---|---|
| obviously | Direct and straightforward; emphasizes the clear nature of something. |
| needless to say | Similar in meaning, but can sometimes sound slightly more formal or old-fashioned. |
| of course | Emphasizes agreement or expectedness; can also be used sarcastically. |
| it stands to reason | Highlights logical deduction; implies a rational conclusion. |
| it's a given | Emphasizes that something is a basic assumption or unquestionable fact. |
| self-evidently | Formal; emphasizes that something is clear from its very nature. |
| it's understood | Implies a mutual agreement or implicit understanding between people. |
| Expression | Idiomatic Meaning | Register | Avoid In |
|---|---|---|---|
| it goes without saying | Something is so obvious that it doesn't need to be stated. | Neutral | Situations where the information is not widely known or agreed upon. |
No, "it goes without saying" is almost always used figuratively. While the words themselves could theoretically describe a situation where something is silently understood, the phrase is almost exclusively used as an idiom to emphasize the obviousness of something being communicated.
"It goes without saying" and "needless to say" are very similar in meaning. However, "needless to say" can sometimes sound slightly more formal or even a bit old-fashioned compared to "it goes without saying," which is a more common and neutral expression.
A common mistake is assuming the phrase means something should be said. Remember that "it goes without saying" actually means something is so obvious it doesn't need to be said. Use it only when you're confident the information is already understood by your audience and you want to emphasize its self-evident nature.
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