What Does "not to mention" Mean?
- Grammatical function: It is a connective expression used for addition. It introduces a fact or point that reinforces a previous statement, often implying that the new information is even more important or obvious than what was already said.
- Typical sentence position: Most commonly used in the medial position (linking two phrases) or the final position (as an afterthought). It can occasionally appear in the initial position in fragment-heavy or conversational writing.
- Register: Generally neutral. It is widely used in both formal journalism and informal speech, though it may be less common in highly technical or strictly academic papers where "in addition to" or "furthermore" is preferred.
How to Use It
- Syntactic patterns: It is typically followed by a noun phrase, an adjective, or a gerund (-ing form). It acts as a prepositional-like connector rather than a conjunction for full clauses.
- Punctuation rules: In the middle of a sentence, it is usually preceded by a comma. If it introduces a long or emphatic addition at the end of a sentence, a comma or even a dash is used to set it apart.
- Grammatical flexibility: While it is flexible enough to begin a sentence in rhetorical contexts, it cannot be easily negated or moved within its own phrase (e.g., you cannot say "mentioning not").
- What sounds unnatural: It sounds incorrect when followed by a full independent clause (subject + verb). For example, "He is smart, not to mention he is kind" is less idiomatic than "He is smart, not to mention kind."
Real-World Examples
These examples are sourced from not to mention on Ludwig.guru.
"Not to mention complicated." — nytimes.com
"Not to mention optimism." — economist.com
"Not to mention the royalties." — newyorker.com
"Not to mention illegal?" — nytimes.com
"Best not to mention those." — economist.com
Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/not+to+mention
Similar Phrases and Alternatives
| Phrase |
Context |
| let alone |
Used specifically after a negative statement to emphasize that the next thing is even more unlikely. |
| as well as |
A more neutral way to join two items or ideas without the same level of rhetorical emphasis. |
| to say nothing of |
A slightly more formal or literary equivalent to "not to mention." |
| furthermore |
Used to start a new sentence in formal writing to add a separate, important point. |
| notably |
Used to highlight a specific, significant example within a larger group. |
| along with |
A simple prepositional phrase used to add items to a list. |
Common Mistakes
- Clause Confusion: Learners often mistakenly follow it with a full independent clause (subject + finite verb) instead of a noun phrase or a gerund. Always prefer "not to mention the cost" over "not to mention the price was high."
- Missing Commas: Because it introduces extra (non-essential) information, failing to use a comma before it can make a sentence feel cluttered and difficult to parse.
- Redundancy: Avoid using it alongside other additive conjunctions like "and also not to mention," which is repetitive.
Quick-Reference Summary
| Expression |
Function |
Register |
Typical Position |
| not to mention |
Addition/Emphasis |
Neutral |
Medial or Final |
FAQs
Can not to mention be used at the beginning of a sentence
While not to mention most frequently appears mid-sentence, it can be used at the start of a sentence for rhetorical effect or as a fragment in conversational writing. In these cases, it functions as an introductory phrase that links back to the previous sentence's logic. However, in strictly formal academic writing, it is usually better to integrate it into a single sentence using a comma.
What is the difference between not to mention and let alone
Both expressions provide emphasis, but let alone is almost exclusively used after a negative statement to indicate that the second item is even more impossible or unlikely than the first. Conversely, not to mention is typically used in positive or neutral contexts to add further supporting details. You would say "I can't afford a car, let alone a boat," but "He has a car, not to mention a boat."
Can I follow not to mention with a full sentence
A common error is following the expression with an independent clause containing a subject and a finite verb. To use not to mention correctly, you should follow it with a noun phrase, an adjective, or a gerund. If you need to include a full thought, you should rephrase the sentence or use a different connector like "furthermore."