the thing speaks for itself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the thing speaks for itself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that something is self-evident or does not require further explanation. Example: "The evidence presented in the report is compelling; the thing speaks for itself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The thing speaks for itself.

The New York Times

Whatever the Amanti is saying, the thing speaks for itself.

The New York Times

res ipsa loquitur — Latin, "the thing speaks for itself".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Then he started speaking Latin, saying, "Res ipsa loquitur," which means, "The thing speaks for itself".

The New York Times

A legal argument rarely used in investor lawsuits is tempting: res ipsa loquitur, or the thing speaks for itself.

The New York Times

REZ IPZA, the plates say — a variant of the Latin legal phrase res ipsa loquitur, which means "The thing speaks for itself".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The whole thing speaks for itself.

The New Yorker

"I think the timing of this whole thing speaks for itself," Mr. Gore told reporters.

The New York Times

MR: Don't you think the cross-generational thing speaks for the music as well as the fact that your music keeps popping up in movies and TV?

Huffington Post

Larry and the way he's gone about doing things, it speaks for itself".

The New York Times - Sports

Did they do things the right way?' I think our record speaks for itself and if you're a true champion, that's the way you'd like it to be".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the thing speaks for itself" when you want to suggest that further explanation is unnecessary due to the compelling nature of the subject at hand. This phrase is particularly effective when presenting evidence or results that are undeniably clear.

Common error

Avoid using "the thing speaks for itself" when the context is ambiguous or requires deeper analysis. Overusing this phrase can come across as dismissive or evasive when clarity is needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the thing speaks for itself" functions as an idiomatic expression. It is primarily used to indicate that a subject, object, or piece of evidence is so clear and self-explanatory that further explanation is unnecessary. Ludwig shows examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the thing speaks for itself" is a phrase used to emphasize that something is self-evident and needs no further explanation. Ludwig's examples show it's commonly found in news and media. It functions as a conclusive statement, urging the audience to recognize the obvious. Ludwig AI classifies it as grammatically correct. While versatile, it should be used judiciously to avoid appearing dismissive. Consider using alternatives like "it's self-explanatory" or "it stands on its own" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's self-explanatory

Emphasizes the ease of understanding something.

it stands on its own

Highlights the independence and completeness of something.

the evidence is clear

Focuses on the clarity and persuasiveness of the evidence.

it's obvious

Stresses the apparent nature of something.

no explanation needed

Indicates that something is so clear it requires no further justification.

it's plain to see

Highlights the visibility and ease of understanding something.

the facts are telling

Emphasizes that the facts reveal the truth clearly.

it's a given

Implies something is already understood and accepted.

it's evident

Highlights the obvious and apparent nature of something.

it's beyond question

Stresses that something is undoubtedly true.

FAQs

What does "the thing speaks for itself" mean?

The phrase "the thing speaks for itself" means that something is so evident or obvious that it requires no further explanation or interpretation. It implies that the facts or evidence are compelling enough to be understood without additional commentary.

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

It's appropriate to use "the thing speaks for itself" when presenting clear and undeniable evidence or results. It suggests that the information is self-explanatory and requires no further justification.

What are some alternatives to "the thing speaks for itself"?

You can use alternatives such as "it's self-explanatory", "it stands on its own", or "the evidence is clear" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the context.

Is "the thing speaks for itself" a formal or informal expression?

"The thing speaks for itself" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is generally perceived as a somewhat assertive or conclusive statement. Consider the audience and tone when deciding whether to use this phrase.