speak nothing of

USAGE SUMMARY

"speak nothing of" is an idiom that is used in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something hasn't been mentioned. For example, "We haven't discussed the issue of cost yet, speak nothing of how to fund it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

They speak nothing of this, ever, and he, the son, is nothing of her, instead he is a silent, brooding, knuckle of flesh and violence, a killer birthed on the scorched earth to fulfill its destiny.

Vice

Anyway, images like that make me wonder if we've finally reached a point where we're no longer capable of enjoying nature without the comforting crutch of technology (to speak nothing of the cities, where we've proven actively incapable of surviving without our technological appendages).

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But its success speaks nothing of its credibility.

SEP

And this of course speaks nothing of their image quality; I have no idea what that's like.

TechCrunch

It speaks nothing of the millions and millions of Muslims, who follow Islam, strive to prosper with peace, justice and equity each and every day throughout the world.

Huffington Post

"It's not safe for them on the street," he says in English spoken so fast it's easy to forget that a year ago he spoke nothing of the language.

Vice

Improving language teaching is expected to be an early focus: many young and middle-aged Libyans speak nothing but Arabic because of abysmal standards and a formal ban on "imperialist" tongues in one of Gaddafi's zanier periods in the 1980s.

The Guardian

There was, so to speak, nothing going on in the hinterland of the clearing with the Mad Hatter's tea party, or beyond the Red Queen's garden gate.

The Guardian - Books

The transformation from hopelessness to pragmatic optimism is — scientifically speaking — nothing short of miraculous.

The New York Times

"Shame on you Israel," Vanunu said: "The stupid Shin Bet and Mossad spies are putting me back in prison after 24 years of speaking nothing but the truth.

The Guardian

Johnson said Thursday could be "our country's independence day", saying that the battle was between one side that was "speaking nothing but fear and those of us with hope".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "speak nothing of" to gracefully introduce an additional element that is even more significant or less likely than the preceding one. This adds emphasis and depth to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "speak nothing of" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise and direct language is expected. Instead, opt for phrases like "not to mention" or "let alone" for clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "speak nothing of" functions as an adverbial phrase, introducing an additional element or point that is even less likely or more significant than the preceding one. This adds emphasis and often highlights a contrast. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical status.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "speak nothing of" functions as an adverbial phrase used to emphasize an additional point that is either more extreme or less likely than the preceding one. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and the phrase is versatile enough for neutral contexts like News & Media, but might be too informal in very academic contexts. Common alternatives include "not to mention" and "let alone". It's essential to use this phrase to enhance your writing by adding emphasis. By understanding the phrase's function, purpose, and register, writers can effectively use "speak nothing of" to improve their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

say nothing about

Directly indicates the absence of discussion regarding a specific topic.

not to mention

Emphasizes adding another element that wasn't initially considered.

let alone

Highlights the improbability or unlikelihood of something in addition to what was already stated.

omit any mention of

Formally expresses the act of intentionally leaving something out of a discussion.

make no reference to

Indicates a complete lack of allusion or connection to a particular subject.

leave unsaid

Focuses on the unspoken nature of something that could have been mentioned.

breathe not a word about

Emphasizes secrecy or a deliberate avoidance of mentioning something.

pass over in silence

Highlights the act of consciously ignoring or avoiding a topic.

brush aside

Suggests dismissing or downplaying the importance of something.

overlook completely

Indicates a failure to notice or consider something.

FAQs

How can I use "speak nothing of" in a sentence?

Use "speak nothing of" to introduce an additional point that is even more relevant or surprising than the previous one. For example, "They didn't have enough money for rent, "speak nothing of" utilities".

What does "speak nothing of" mean?

It means "not to mention" or "let alone". It is used to emphasize that something else is even less likely or more significant than what has already been stated.

Which is more formal, "speak nothing of" or "not to mention"?

"Not to mention" is generally considered slightly more formal than "speak nothing of". Both are acceptable in most contexts, but for very formal writing, consider alternatives like "furthermore" or "moreover".

What are some alternatives to "speak nothing of"?

You can use alternatives like "not to mention", "let alone", or "to say nothing of" depending on the context and desired level of formality.