English grammar
Dodging questions: I'd rather not comment, not to my knowledge, that remains to be seen, no comment
Dodge an awkward question politely, like a politician.
From the scene I'd rather not comment
In short
Dodge a question with I'd rather not comment, not to my knowledge, that remains to be seen, or no comment.
Your turn
Which one goes with avoiding a yes or no?
Options: not to my knowledge · I'd rather not comment on that subject · that remains to be seen
Show answer
avoiding a yes or no → not to my knowledge
How it works
I'd rather not comment (on…) refuses politely; after I'd rather, use the base form, with no to.
Good to know
Not to my knowledge avoids a yes or no. That remains to be seen puts off an answer.
Good to know
No comment (never "no comments") closes the subject.
refusing politely I'd rather not comment on that subject
Elena
I'd rather not comment on that subject.
Prefiero no pronunciarme sobre ese tema.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: I'd rather not comment on that subject · Not to my knowledge · That remains to be seen
Show answer
Elena
I'd rather not comment on that subject.
Prefiero no pronunciarme sobre ese tema.
avoiding a yes or no not to my knowledge
Elena
Not to my knowledge. I only talked to the journalist for half an hour.
No me consta. Yo solo hablé con el periodista media hora.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). I only talked to the journalist for half an hour.
Options: Not to my knowledge · I'd rather not comment on that subject · That remains to be seen
Show answer
Elena
Not to my knowledge. I only talked to the journalist for half an hour.
No me consta. Yo solo hablé con el periodista media hora.
putting off an answer that remains to be seen
Elena
That remains to be seen. Ask Don Ramón.
Eso habría que verlo. Pregúntele a Don Ramón.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). Ask Don Ramón.
Options: I'd rather not comment on that subject · Not to my knowledge · That remains to be seen
Show answer
Elena
That remains to be seen. Ask Don Ramón.
Eso habría que verlo. Pregúntele a Don Ramón.
closing the subject no comment
Elena
No comment. ...Chapter three, page forty.
Sin comentarios. ...Capítulo tres, página cuarenta.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). ...Chapter three, page forty.
Options: Not to my knowledge · No comment · I'd rather not comment on that subject
Show answer
Elena
No comment. ...Chapter three, page forty.
Sin comentarios. ...Capítulo tres, página cuarenta.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| refusing politely | I'd rather not comment on that subject |
|---|---|
| avoiding a yes or no | not to my knowledge |
| putting off an answer | that remains to be seen |
| closing the subject | no comment |
More lines from the story
- NuriaJavi? With a headset? Another job?¿Javi? ¿Con cascos? ¿Otro trabajo?
- JaviI'm the floor manager. The presenter is asking if your book talks about Don Ramón.Soy el regidor del plató. El presentador pregunta si su libro habla de Don Ramón.