that speaks for itself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that speaks for itself" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is clear or self-explanatory without needing further explanation. Example: "The results of the experiment were impressive, and the data that speaks for itself shows our hard work paid off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So I think that speaks for itself".

The New York Times - Sports

Here is a chart that speaks for itself:.

The Guardian

If the guy's laying out on the field, that speaks for itself.

The New York Times - Sports

"To me, it was something that speaks for itself," he said outside the courthouse.

The New York Times

Black Americans — all Americans — need a leader with a record that speaks for itself.

The Washington Post

Jon Cornejo, London Here, a review – one of many for the band – that speaks for itself.

The Guardian - Music

And here, Mr. Vargas said, Mr. Bush's absence "sends a message that speaks for itself".

The New York Times

"The administration has stopped using the phrase," she said, "and I think that speaks for itself".

The New York Times

I think that speaks for itself," said opposition party leader Hasan Zaid.

The Guardian

To have the all-time wins record, that speaks for itself".

The Guardian - Sport

Questioned about the feature, Madia declined to comment on Thursday apart from saying it was "something that speaks for itself".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that speaks for itself" when you want to subtly imply that further elaboration is unnecessary, trusting your audience to draw the obvious conclusion.

Common error

Avoid relying on "that speaks for itself" as a substitute for providing necessary context or explanation. Overuse can come across as dismissive or condescending.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that speaks for itself" functions as a rhetorical device to suggest something is self-evident or requires no further explanation. It is often used to subtly imply a conclusion without explicitly stating it. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that speaks for itself" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that something is self-evident. Ludwig AI analysis reveals its frequent use across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and sports, with a neutral register making it suitable for various communication styles. While offering a subtle way to imply a conclusion, it's important to avoid overuse to prevent appearing dismissive. Alternatives such as "it's self-explanatory" or "it requires no explanation" can provide similar meaning. The phrase functions as a rhetorical device, inviting the audience to draw their own conclusions based on the presented information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's self-explanatory

Replaces "that speaks for itself" with a more direct assertion of obviousness.

it requires no explanation

Emphasizes the lack of need for further clarification.

it's evident

Highlights the clear and obvious nature of the situation.

the evidence is clear

Focuses on the clarity of the supporting information.

the facts are clear

Stresses that the information is straightforward and unambiguous.

it's obvious

A more casual way to indicate something is readily apparent.

it's plain to see

Suggests the matter is easily understood by anyone.

it's a no-brainer

Informal way to say something is extremely obvious or easy to understand.

the answer is obvious

Highlights the clear and easily found solution to a problem or question.

it goes without saying

Implies the point is so obvious it doesn't need stating.

FAQs

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

Use "that speaks for itself" when you want to indicate that something is so evident it requires no further explanation. For example, "The company's declining profits during his tenure, "that speaks for itself"."

What are some alternatives to "that speaks for itself"?

You can use alternatives like "it is self-explanatory", "it requires no explanation", or "it is obvious" depending on the context.

Is "that speaks for itself" formal or informal?

"That speaks for itself" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it's generally more common in neutral or slightly informal settings. In highly formal writing, consider more direct alternatives.

What does it mean when someone says "that speaks for itself"?

When someone says "that speaks for itself", they mean that the facts or evidence are so clear that no further explanation is needed. It implies the situation is self-evident and easily understood.