goes without saying

USAGE SUMMARY

"goes without saying" is a phrase used in written English when something is so obvious that it doesn't require further explanation or discussion.
For example: "The importance of a good education goes without saying."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That goes without saying.

The New York Times - Sports

This goes without saying.

The New Yorker

It goes without saying.

The New York Times - Magazine

Almost goes without saying.

Cornell University

The answer goes without saying.

The New York Times

It goes without saying almost.

The New York Times

That goes without saying, dear.

The New York Times

"It goes without saying," Mr. Romney added.

The New York Times

THAT genius is unusual goes without saying.

The Economist

"The importance of it goes without saying".

The New York Times

Also (it goes without saying) Proust.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "goes without saying" to streamline your writing by avoiding unnecessary explanations of obvious points. This helps maintain reader engagement by focusing on more complex or nuanced aspects of your topic.

Common error

Avoid using "goes without saying" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound condescending or imply that your readers are not intelligent enough to understand the obvious. Use it sparingly for maximum impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "goes without saying" functions as a parenthetical remark or discourse marker. It signals that the speaker or writer considers a particular point to be self-evident and not requiring further elaboration. Ludwig AI confirms this common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

15%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "goes without saying" is a common phrase used to indicate that something is self-evident and requires no further explanation. Ludwig AI validates this usage with numerous examples from diverse sources like news media and academic publications. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, it's essential to use this phrase judiciously to avoid condescension or redundancy. Consider using alternatives such as "it's understood" or "needless to say" for variety and precision. Effective use of "goes without saying" can streamline your writing and maintain reader engagement, but overuse can diminish its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's a given

This alternative suggests something is a certainty or an established fact, removing the need for discussion.

it's understood

This phrase focuses on the implicit agreement or comprehension surrounding a topic.

it's self-evident

This alternative emphasizes the inherent obviousness of a statement or situation.

it's a no-brainer

This phrase implies that a decision or conclusion is so obvious it requires minimal thought.

needless to say

This option directly introduces a statement that is supposedly obvious or already known.

it stands to reason

This phrase suggests the logical conclusion is apparent and requires no further justification.

of course

This single word confirms something is expected or obvious.

obviously

Similar to 'of course', this adverb highlights the evident nature of something.

it's common knowledge

This phrase indicates that information is widely known and accepted.

it's plain as day

This idiom emphasizes the clarity and unmistakable nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "goes without saying" in a sentence?

You can use "goes without saying" to indicate something is so obvious it doesn't require further explanation. For instance, "The need for clean water goes without saying".

What are some alternatives to "goes without saying"?

Alternatives include "it's understood", "it's self-evident", or "needless to say", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "goes without saying" in formal writing?

Yes, "goes without saying" is generally acceptable in formal writing to concisely convey obvious points, though it should be used sparingly to avoid sounding condescending.

What does it mean when someone says "that goes without saying"?

It means that the point being made is so obvious or well-understood that it doesn't need to be explicitly stated or further elaborated upon.