C2 Mastery Academic language and C2 style
Fixed formal idiomatic structures
Lesson goal. After this lesson you can use fixed formal idiomatic structures (Be that as it may, Suffice it to say, For what it's worth, So be it, Needless to say) in debate and formal writing.
When to use it
- Conceding a point before stating the opposite: Be that as it may, we still need to finish on time.
- Summing up briefly without going into detail: Suffice it to say that the meeting did not go well.
- Offering an opinion modestly: For what it's worth, I think you made the right decision.
- Reluctantly accepting something unchangeable: If the board insists, then so be it.
- Introducing something obvious: Needless to say, everyone was thrilled.
Form
| Idiom |
|---|
| Be that as it may |
| Suffice it to say (that) |
| For what it's worth |
| So be it |
| Needless to say |
Step by step
- These are fixed phrases — do not alter or add/drop words (e.g. never drop 'it' in Suffice it to say).
- 'Be that as it may' and 'That said' both express concession, a shift in argument — usually sentence-initial, followed by a comma.
- 'Suffice it to say' is followed by 'that' (optional) + a clause summarising the main point.
- 'For what it's worth' is usually sentence-initial, showing modesty when giving a personal opinion.
Distinguishing concession/summary idioms
| Idiom | Main function |
|---|---|
| Be that as it may | a strong concession, turning to the opposite idea |
| Suffice it to say | to sum up, avoiding detail |
| So be it | grudging acceptance |
Examples
Be that as it may, the decision has already been made, and we must accept it.
Suffice it to say, the negotiation was extremely difficult.
For what it's worth, I think we should wait.
If the board insists on this approach, then so be it — we'll proceed as planned.
Common mistakes
Suffice to say that the project was a disaster. → Suffice it to say that the project was a disaster.
The full fixed phrase is 'Suffice it to say' — 'it' cannot be dropped.
For what it worth, I think the proposal has merit. → For what it's worth, I think the proposal has merit.
The fixed phrase is 'For what it's worth' (with 's), not 'it worth'.
Needless to say, water boils at 100 degrees in a lab we've never heard of. → Needless to say, everyone was thrilled when the team won the championship.
'Needless to say' is used before something obvious/predictable in context, not an unrelated general scientific fact.
Memory tip
These idioms can't be understood word by word — learn them as whole fixed phrases along with their context of use (concession, summary, acceptance, introducing the obvious).
Summary
- Be that as it may / That said = concession, shifting the argument.
- Suffice it to say (that) = summarising briefly, avoiding detail.
- For what it's worth = modestly offering an opinion; So be it = reluctant acceptance; Needless to say = introducing the obvious.
Practise this lesson
Do exercises with an explanation for every question, take mini tests and track your progress on GrammUp.