English grammar
I'm not saying (that)…; up to a point; that depends
Soften a disagreement, using I'm not saying (that), up to a point and that depends.
From the scene I'm not saying no…
In short
Soften a criticism with I'm not saying (that)… Half-agree with up to a point or that depends.
Your turn
Which one goes with partly agreeing?
Options: I'm not saying you're lying, but you do exaggerate · well, that depends on the day · up to a point, Don Ramón is right
Show answer
partly agreeing → up to a point, Don Ramón is right
How it works
I'm not saying (that) + clause softens a criticism.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
I'm not (blank) you always exaggerate, Doña Elena.
Options: saying · telling · say
Show answer
I'm not saying you always exaggerate, Doña Elena.
No digo que usted exagere siempre, Doña Elena.
Good to know
I'm not saying you're lying, but… Up to a point (= partly) and that depends (on…) let you half-agree without agreeing completely.
softening: I'm not saying + clause I'm not saying you're lying, but you do exaggerate
Ramón
I'm not saying you're lying, but you do exaggerate.
No digo que usted mienta, pero exagera.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: Well, that depends on the day · I'm not saying you're lying, but you do exaggerate · Up to a point, Don Ramón is right
Show answer
Ramón
I'm not saying you're lying, but you do exaggerate.
No digo que usted mienta, pero exagera.
partly agreeing up to a point, Don Ramón is right
Nuria
Up to a point, Don Ramón is right.
Hasta cierto punto, Don Ramón tiene razón.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: Up to a point, Don Ramón is right · I'm not saying you're lying, but you do exaggerate · Well, that depends on the day
Show answer
Nuria
Up to a point, Don Ramón is right.
Hasta cierto punto, Don Ramón tiene razón.
it's not always true well, that depends on the day
Elena
Well, that depends on the day.
Bueno, eso depende del día.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: I'm not saying you're lying · Up to a point, Don Ramón is right · Well, that depends on the day
Show answer
Elena
Well, that depends on the day.
Bueno, eso depende del día.
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
| softening: I'm not saying + clause | I'm not saying you're lying, but you do exaggerate |
|---|---|
| partly agreeing | up to a point, Don Ramón is right |
| it's not always true | well, that depends on the day |
More lines from the story
- NuriaI'm not saying you always exaggerate, Doña Elena.No digo que usted exagere siempre, Doña Elena.
- RamónDoña Elena, a thousand lorries in the street? You're exaggerating.Doña Elena, ¿mil camiones en la calle? Usted exagera.
- ElenaI'm not saying there were a thousand... but on the radio it sounds better!No digo que fueran mil... ¡pero en la radio queda mejor!