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Difference between Not to say and To say nothing of

not to sayis used to imply that one is content with a more moderate statement than that which might have been made:

  • It is one of the handsomest counties … the farmers are as a whole well-to-do, not to say rich.

to say nothing ofis used to emphasize the point by adding extra information:

  • Much damage is caused to table tops by spilled cosmetics, to say nothing of marks caused by that earlymorning cup of tea.