speaks for itself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "speaks for itself" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is self-explanatory. For example, "The scale of the destruction speaks for itself; the town was almost completely ruined."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It speaks for itself.

The New York Times

His CV speaks for itself".

Independent

His courage speaks for itself.

The New Yorker

Sayedee's treatment speaks for itself.

The New York Times

"His performance speaks for itself.

The New York Times - Sports

"Our record speaks for itself".

The New York Times - Sports

The data speaks for itself.

Independent

"The evidence speaks for itself.

The Economist

"The food speaks for itself.

The New York Times - Food

The statement speaks for itself".

The New York Times - Sports

Its popularity speaks for itself.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "speaks for itself" when you want to avoid stating the obvious or when the evidence is so compelling that further explanation is unnecessary. For example, rather than detailing the impact of a successful project, simply state: "The results of the project speaks for itself."

Common error

Avoid using "speaks for itself" as a substitute for providing concrete evidence or details when they are actually needed. If the situation requires a thorough explanation, relying solely on this phrase can make your writing seem dismissive or lacking in substance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "speaks for itself" functions as an idiomatic expression. It serves to indicate that something is so evident or obvious that it requires no further explanation or justification. Ludwig's examples show its wide applicability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "speaks for itself" is a very common idiomatic expression used to indicate that something is self-explanatory and requires no further elaboration. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and applicable across various contexts, from news and media to academic writing. However, it's essential to avoid overusing it as a substitute for providing concrete evidence when details are necessary. When used appropriately, it conveys confidence in the clarity and impact of the subject at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is self-explanatory

This phrase directly states that something requires no further explanation.

needs no explanation

This emphasizes the lack of necessity for additional details or clarification.

is plainly evident

This highlights the clear and obvious nature of something.

requires no elaboration

This suggests that providing more details would be superfluous.

is clear as day

This idiom indicates that something is very easy to understand.

is obvious

This is a straightforward way of saying something is easily perceived or understood.

stands on its own

This implies that something is sufficient and complete without external support or explanation.

is a given

This suggests that something is a self-evident truth or assumption.

the facts are clear

This focuses on the clarity and unambiguous nature of the available information.

it's all there in black and white

This idiom emphasizes that the evidence is clearly documented and irrefutable.

FAQs

How can I use "speaks for itself" in a sentence?

Use "speaks for itself" when you want to imply that the evidence or situation is so clear that further explanation is unnecessary. For example: "The company's growth this quarter "speaks for itself"."

What are some alternatives to "speaks for itself"?

You can use alternatives like "is self-explanatory", "needs no explanation", or "is plainly evident" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "speaks for itself"?

It's appropriate when the information or evidence is so clear and compelling that additional explanation would be redundant. Be sure the context truly supports this, otherwise, provide necessary details.

What's the difference between "speaks for itself" and "goes without saying"?

"Speaks for itself" implies that the evidence is clear and obvious, while "goes without saying" suggests something is so well-known or understood that it doesn't need to be mentioned. They both imply a lack of need for explanation but focus on different aspects.