need not say

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "need not say" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is a phrase that generally means you do not have to say anything further. For example: "He is a great student, but I need not say more about it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

He need not say the rest because it is obvious.

The New York Times - Sports

This team sticks together, and those who know us know that I need not say this.

The New York Times - Sports

So they need not say where their £48bn cuts will fall or how to pay for last minute giveaways, trust us.

The Guardian - Opinion

Justice Elena Kagan, perhaps trying to avoid a broad ruling that would set a deadline on any stays in post-conviction challenges, suggested that the court need not say more than that indefinite stays are never proper.

The New York Times

He need not say that on such occasions the solemn services of the Church were performed in a slovenly, irregular and indecent manner … The owners of private grounds closed by the government were not inclined to go quietly; they were, after all, losing the entirety of their business.

The Guardian

But foes of dilemmas need not say this.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"Our message is blunt: migrants are dying who need not," said the IOM's director general, William Lacy Swing.

The Guardian

"I needn't say anything.

The Guardian - Books

I needn't say who gets the girl.

The New Yorker

So we needn't say any more about them.

The New Yorker

ANDRAS SCHIFF With this pianist playing Bach, you almost needn't say more.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "need not say" when you want to imply that something is obvious or well-understood, avoiding unnecessary repetition or detail. It can add a touch of sophistication to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "need not say" too frequently in casual conversation. It can sound stilted or pretentious if overused. Save it for situations where a more formal or concise tone is desired.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "need not say" functions as an elliptical expression, allowing the speaker or writer to imply something without stating it explicitly. It serves to highlight shared knowledge or obvious conclusions, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "need not say" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that allows writers and speakers to imply information without explicitly stating it. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid and suitable for various contexts, particularly within news, media and scientific domains. The phrase is characterized by neutral to formal register and serves the purpose of emphasizing shared knowledge, fostering engagement, and enhancing the sophistication of your writing. While powerful in the right context, exercise caution against overusing it in casual conversation to avoid sounding pretentious. Remember, alternatives like "it goes without saying", "it's understood", and "it's obvious" offer similar functionality with varying degrees of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it goes without saying

This alternative emphasizes that something is so obvious it doesn't require stating.

it's self-evident

This suggests the information is obvious and requires no further elaboration.

it's understood

This indicates that something is implicitly agreed upon or known.

no further explanation is needed

This explicitly states that additional details are unnecessary.

it's a given

Highlights that something is assumed or accepted as true.

it's clear

Suggests the point is easily understood and requires no further clarification.

it's obvious

Implies the information is readily apparent and requires no detailing.

I don't have to say

This alternative puts the emphasis on the speaker's choice not to elaborate.

it should be clear

Implies the speaker expects the listener to already be aware.

it's implied

This conveys that while not explicitly stated, the message is understood.

FAQs

What does "need not say" mean?

The phrase "need not say" means that something is so obvious or well-understood that it doesn't require further explanation. It suggests that the information is already known or can be easily inferred.

How can I use "need not say" in a sentence?

You can use "need not say" to avoid stating the obvious. For instance, "He's known for his honesty, so I "need not say" that his intentions are pure."

What are some alternatives to "need not say"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it goes without saying", "it's understood", or "it's obvious", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "need not say" formal or informal?

"Need not say" tends to be more formal than alternatives like "don't need to say" or "doesn't need to be said". However, its formality isn't so high as to be inappropriate in most professional or neutral contexts.