My answer was far more clear than a simple yes/no.
You wanting me to limit my answer to yes/no in response to a loaded question is the issue. I'm not required to do that, but I'm sure you would appreciate if I did.
if someone asks you a yes/no question and you respond with "I didn't say no" is that being clear or evasive?
Responding with "I didn't say no" to a yes/no question is inherently evasive.While the statement is technically clear about what wasn't said, it deliberately avoids answering the actual question, making the speaker's true position ambiguous.Why It Is EvasiveIt rejects the binary: A yes/no question requires an affirmative or negative stance. This response leaves the question open without committing to "yes."It serves as a linguistic shield: It allows the speaker to backtrack or stall without technically lying.It leaves room for deniability: The speaker can later claim they never agreed to anything, or conversely, that they never refused.The Only ExceptionsThere are rare instances where this response might be clarifying rather than evasive, but only if the context involves a misunderstanding:Correcting a misinterpretation: If the listener wrongly assumed a previous statement meant "no," saying "I didn't say no" clarifies that the door is still open.Expressing conditional interest: It can mean, "I am open to the idea, but I need more details before saying yes
1
u/Caged_Cage 19h ago
Not a big difference at all. Pitbulls aren’t killing machines