Two formulas that express the speaker's stance
Suffice it to say and Far be it from me to are fixed formulas rather than ordinary freely formed clauses. They add little factual information: both show the speaker's attitude to what they are about to say. The first marks a sufficient summary without banning later details; the second disclaims a right to judge.
Both retain an older subjunctive pattern in which the verb precedes the subject: suffice it rather than it suffices, and far be it rather than it is far. This inverted order holds each formula together. Restore ordinary word order, and it is no longer the same formula, even if the words remain.
Learn the usual wording of these two formulas. Other fixed subjunctive expressions exist, but do not freely reorder words by analogy.
Suffice it to say that the second landlord was no better than the first.
Suffice it to say that the second landlord was no better than the first.
The speaker does not recount the whole story; the formula signals that a brief mention is sufficient.
Far be it from me to plan anyone's wedding, but eleven courses is a long dinner.
Far be it from me to plan anyone's wedding, but eleven courses is a long dinner.
The speaker disclaims the role of organizer while still making a comment; that is the formula's function here.
It suffices to say that the report is finished.
It suffices to say that the report is finished.
It suffices to say is grammatical with ordinary word order. It can also introduce a brief summary; context determines the nuance, not simply the absence of inversion.
Suffice it to say: the full form with it
In the full formula suffice it to say, it is a dummy subject. Practise the full version in this lesson, but do not treat it as the only possible version in English.
The formula uses the bare verb suffice, never suffices or sufficed. This is a surviving subjunctive, not faulty agreement, so it takes no ending even when the rest of the sentence uses a past or perfect tense.
The shorter suffice to say is also used and recorded in dictionaries. Some editors prefer suffice it to say; the full version is a reliable choice in formal writing.
It suffices to say is an ordinary finite construction. Both it and the fixed formula can summarize without a detailed account; neither necessarily promises never to give details.
Suffice + it + to say + (that | comma) + clause
- clause —
- A construction with a verb, often with its own subject: when I arrived. A non-finite clause may leave the subject unspoken: to get home.
Suffice it to say that the first draft never reached the client.
Suffice it to say that the first draft never reached the client.
It immediately follows the verb, and that introduces the clause: a basic written version.
Suffice it to say, the kitchen needed more than paint.
Suffice it to say, the kitchen needed more than paint.
A comma replaces that. Both versions are standard and convey the same meaning.
Suffice to say, the kitchen needed more than paint.
Suffice to say, the kitchen needed more than paint.
An attested shorter version without it. This lesson practises the full form that editors often prefer.
Suffice it to say that I have learned to read guarantees carefully.
Suffice it to say that I have learned to read guarantees carefully.
The bare form suffice stays unchanged even when the following clause uses the Present Perfect.
Far be it from me to…: inversion, from, and the base verb
Expanded literally, the formula means approximately that doing such a thing would be far from the speaker's intentions or role. It is dummy here too, anticipating the final infinitive. The expression therefore reads as a disclaimer that it is the speaker's place to act.
In the target formula, be precedes it: far be it. Far is it does not reproduce this formula; an ordinary statement requires a different sentence structure.
The standard preposition is from. For is increasingly heard, but reference works label it nonstandard, so avoid it in examinations or business writing.
After me, use to + base verb: to comment, to question, to suggest. A gerund does not fit this pattern. Other persons can replace me (from us, from him), but the structure stays the same.
A but-clause very often follows and carries the main message. The formula can also stand without a continuation; then it reads as a disclaimer of a role rather than as a softened critical comment.
Far + be + it + from me + to + base verb (+ but …)
- verb / V —
- A word for an action or state, such as work or be. The pattern determines its form.
- V1 / base form —
- The base verb without to: work, go, be.
Far be it from me to question a surgeon, but the appointment letter has the wrong date.
Far be it from me to question a surgeon, but the appointment letter has the wrong date.
Be precedes it, followed by from me and to + base verb; the actual comment comes after but.
Far be it from me to suggest a rewrite at this stage.
Far be it from me to suggest a rewrite at this stage.
Without but, the formula sounds like a complete disclaimer of the adviser's role. This is possible, but serves a different communicative function.
Far be it from us to interrupt a rehearsal.
Far be it from us to interrupt a rehearsal.
Us can replace me; the word order and the rest of the structure do not change.
I would not presume to redesign your website, but the menu is hard to find on a phone.
I would not presume to redesign your website, but the menu is hard to find on a phone.
The same intention without the fixed formula: more neutral, less literary, and without its characteristic ironic coloring.
What follows the formula?
Suffice it to say typically continues with a full clause, with or without that. Quotations or brief expressions are also possible, but a separate clause is the simplest way to express the summary in learning examples.
That is more common in written text; a comma is common in conversational and journalistic styles. The meaning is the same, so the choice is stylistic.
Far be it from me is followed by to + verb: the action the speaker distances themselves from is named by an infinitive, not a noun or gerund.
The formula can follow an introductory clause or be parenthetical: The results, suffice it to say, were disappointing. Keep its connection to the content it comments on clear.
Suffice it to say that the tenants left on the same day the boiler failed.
Suffice it to say that the tenants left on the same day the boiler failed.
That introduces the clause; what follows is the content the speaker has chosen to summarize in one sentence.
Suffice it to say, nobody asked for a second tour.
Suffice it to say, nobody asked for a second tour.
The same formula with a comma, typical of conversational and journalistic registers.
Whatever the brochure promised, suffice it to say that the room was cold.
Whatever the brochure promised, suffice it to say that the room was cold.
The formula follows an introductory clause; its internal structure and word order remain unchanged.
Far be it from me to reorganise a stranger's bookshelves.
Far be it from me to reorganise a stranger's bookshelves.
Me is followed by to + base verb; a but-clause may or may not follow.
Pragmatics: a summary or an opening for an awkward comment
Suffice it to say highlights what the speaker considers enough for the current summary. Details are often omitted, but an explanation may follow later: the formula places no grammatical ban on continuing the story.
Far be it from me to often opens the way to an awkward comment, first disclaiming authority or expertise. A but-clause usually follows and carries the main message.
The distancing formula often sounds ironic: everyone understands that the speaker is about to do precisely what they disclaim. This is a recognizable feature of the expression, not a usage error.
Both formulas comment on the speaker's stance rather than adding facts about the world. If they do not affect the voice or presentation of your sentence, they are unnecessary.
Suffice it to say that the interview ended early.
Suffice it to say that the interview ended early.
The speaker offers a short summary instead of a full account. The listener's reaction depends on the situation; they may still ask for details.
Far be it from me to time anyone's presentation, but we have nine minutes left.
Far be it from me to time anyone's presentation, but we have nine minutes left.
The formula prepares the listener for the comment after but.
Far be it from me to complain about the weather, as I have done nothing else all week.
Far be it from me to complain about the weather, as I have done nothing else all week.
Irony: the speaker explicitly admits doing exactly what they have just disclaimed.
Register and appropriate use
The formulas can sound literary, rhetorical, or ironic. They also occur in conversation; appropriateness depends on the relationship and the speaker's intention, not just the genre.
In instructions and technical explanations, check whether the formula helps the reader. It can signal a brief summary, but should not replace information needed to act.
If the reader needs details, suffice it to say alone may be insufficient. You can give a short summary and add details separately; the formula does not necessarily refuse to provide them.
Far be it from me to can sound insincere after a genuine insult: it softens a comment rather than apologizing for it. An apology requires different words.
Suffice it to say that the results were mixed.
Suffice it to say that the results were mixed.
Appropriate in a review where readers do not expect a full analysis and understand it as a restrained assessment.
The pump failed twice, on 3 and 11 March, and the seal was replaced on 12 March.
The pump failed twice, on 3 and 11 March, and the seal was replaced on 12 March.
Specific dates and actions matter in this technical report. A brief summary alone might be insufficient; the formula does not prevent adding the necessary details.
Far be it from me to lecture a jeweller about stones, but this setting looks loose to me.
Far be it from me to lecture a jeweller about stones, but this setting looks loose to me.
The speaker disclaims the expert's role and cautiously offers an observation. The sentence alone does not establish whether they really lack expertise or how sincere their modesty is.
Scope: expressions with other functions
Two other groups of fixed subjunctives in this topic are easy to confuse with these. Be that as it may is concessive: despite what has just been said. Come what may expresses independence from circumstances, often a firm commitment or decision. Neither summarizes nor disclaims a role.
God forbid, Heaven help, and Long live are exclamatory wishes or warnings. They also use a bare verb, but express the speaker's wishes about events rather than their stance toward their own speech.
It is not for me to can also disclaim a role. It contains no subjunctive inversion; either pattern may be sincere or ironic depending on context.
Suffice it to say marks a sufficient summary; needless to say presents the next point as obvious. Their functions differ, but they are not logical opposites: a brief summary can contain obvious information.
Be that as it may, the deadline has not changed.
Be that as it may, the deadline has not changed.
The neighboring concessive formula acknowledges an argument while maintaining the speaker's position; that is a different function.
Come what may, we are opening the doors at nine.
Come what may, we are opening the doors at nine.
A commitment to keep a decision, rather than a summary or disclaimer.
Needless to say, the flight was delayed.
Needless to say, the flight was delayed.
Needless to say presents the delay as expected. Suffice it to say would present it as a sufficient summary, not necessarily as a concealed fact.
It is not for me to approve the budget.
It is not for me to approve the budget.
Ordinary word order expresses the same disclaimer without the inversion or characteristic stylistic coloring of the fixed formula.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:Suffices it to say that the boiler failed on the coldest night of the year.
Correct:Suffice it to say that the boiler failed on the coldest night of the year.
The full fixed formula requires suffice without -s before it. The shorter suffice to say also exists and should not be declared universally ungrammatical.
Incorrect:Suffices it to say that nobody complained about the noise.
Correct:Suffice it to say that nobody complained about the noise.
The formula's verb takes its bare form, so -s cannot appear here. It is a surviving subjunctive, not ordinary subject–verb agreement.
Incorrect:It suffice to say that the tour was cancelled without warning.
Correct:Suffice it to say that the tour was cancelled without warning.
Use either inversion with the bare form (Suffice it to say) or ordinary word order with -s (It suffices to say). Do not mix the patterns: It suffice is ungrammatical.
Incorrect:Far be it for me to question the estimate, but the labour cost has doubled.
Correct:Far be it from me to question the estimate, but the labour cost has doubled.
The standard preposition in this formula is from. For occurs in speech, but reference works label it nonstandard.
Incorrect:Far is it from me to correct a native speaker.
Correct:Far be it from me to correct a native speaker.
The formula requires the bare form be before the subject. Is does not reproduce the subjunctive formula.
Incorrect:Far be it from me directing the queue, but the second till is free.
Correct:Far be it from me to direct the queue, but the second till is free.
After me, use to + base verb. A gerund does not fit the pattern.
Incorrect:Suffice it to saying that the second visit went no better.
Correct:Suffice it to say that the second visit went no better.
To is an infinitive marker here, so it takes the bare form say, not saying.
Sources
- Wiktionary — suffice it to say (present subjunctive, optative clause)
- Wiktionary — far be it from me (usage notes on from/for and the infinitive)
- The Grammarphobia Blog — Suffice it to say
- LawProse — Garner's Usage Tip of the Day: suffice it to say
- Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English — far be it from me to do something
- Wikipedia — English subjunctive (formulaic and fossilised subjunctives)
- Cambridge Dictionary — suffice (it) to say (full and shortened versions)