Meaning & use
not saying
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Meanings
phraseintransitive
used to deny that you are stating or implying something
Grammar: Often in the pattern 'I'm not saying (that) ...' to soften a criticism or avoid misunderstanding.
Patterns
- not saying that
- not saying something
- I'm not saying ...
I'm not saying you're wrong, but let's check the facts again.
She's not saying she will quit, but she is unhappy.
He was not saying anything, just listening quietly.
phraseintransitive
not speaking or uttering words
Grammar: Used literally to mean someone is silent or not expressing something in words.
Patterns
- not saying anything
- not saying a word
Why are you not saying anything? Are you angry?
He sat there not saying a word for an hour.
Common combinations
- I'm not saying that
- I'm not saying that we should give up.
- not saying anything
- She was not saying anything about the plan.
- not saying a word
- He left without saying a word.
- not saying much
- The report is not saying much that is new.
Synonyms and how they differ
- denying
- Stronger and more direct; 'not saying' is softer and often just avoids commitment.
- keeping quiet
- Focuses on silence; 'not saying' can also mean refusing to state something.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: not saying or not to say?
not saying vs not to say
'Not to say' is a fixed phrase meaning 'and even more' (e.g., 'expensive, not to say outrageous'). 'Not saying' is simply the negative of 'saying'.
Practice
I ______ you're lazy, but you could try harder.
Choose one answer.
The phrase 'I'm not saying' is used to soften a criticism. 'Am not saying' completes the present continuous. 'Not saying' lacks a verb, 'not say' is not correct here, and 'don't say' means you never say it, which is different.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “not saying”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.