It goes without saying

You usually put this at the start of your sentence. Follow it with the word that. For example: It goes without saying that we need to be on time. You can also use it at the end of a sentence. Just add a comma before it. It is a great way to sound confident and professional. It bridges the gap between two ideas smoothly. It makes your argument feel more solid.

Use it in a business meeting to state a shared goal. Use it with friends when discussing something very clear. It is perfect for setting ground rules. If you are hosting a party, you might say it about cleaning up. It is also great for showing empathy. It says, "I understand the obvious reality of this situation." It works well when you want to be polite but firm.

Do not use it for something actually complicated. If you are explaining rocket science, do not say it. It might make people feel silly for not knowing. Avoid using it too much in one conversation. It can start to sound a bit repetitive or even arrogant. If a fact is truly a secret, this phrase is the wrong choice. Use it for common sense, not new information.

This phrase has been around for centuries. It is a direct translation of the French phrase *cela va sans dire*. English speakers loved the logic of it and adopted it. It reflects a culture that values shared understanding and "common sense." It is a polite way to be firm without being aggressive. It is very common in British and American professional life.

You might hear people say Needless to say. This is almost exactly the same. Another cousin is It is understood that.... In more casual talk, people just say Obviously. If you want to be very fancy, try Self-evidently. But It goes without saying is the most classic version. It sounds more sophisticated than just saying "Duh!"