goes without saying

Meaning

1. 1phraseidiom

   Used to introduce something so obvious or widely understood that it hardly needs to be said.

   Grammar: Often follows it and is followed by a that clause: it goes without saying that we'll help.

   Patterns

   • it goes without saying that something
   • something goes without saying

   It goes without saying that you should lock the door when you leave.

   Good manners go without saying in our family.

   It goes without saying that we are grateful for your help.

Word forms

Common combinations

it goes without saying that

It goes without saying that safety comes first.

that goes without saying

You will get paid, and that goes without saying.

almost goes without saying

It almost goes without saying that she won.

should go without saying

Honesty should go without saying.

went without saying

It went without saying that he would be invited.

Synonyms and how they differ

needless to say

Needless to say is a very close alternative that usually opens a sentence, while goes without saying is used in the it-clause pattern.

of course

Of course is shorter and more conversational, and does not stress obviousness as strongly.

obviously

Obviously is a single adverb, whereas goes without saying is a full phrase that sounds a bit more polite.

clearly

Clearly can mean evidently, and does not carry the sense of something not needing to be said.

Word family

go without phrasal verb

to manage when you do not have something

saying noun

a well-known expression or proverb

unspoken adjective

understood but not said aloud

Commonly confused: goes without saying or go without?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “goes without saying”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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