Qualifying Statements: Que yo sepa
When evaluating high-stakes items like fine art, you might not want to make an absolute claim. To limit a statement to your own personal knowledge ("as far as I know"), use the set phrase que yo sepa. It uses the subjunctive form of saber to acknowledge that there might be facts you are unaware of, and can be placed at the beginning or the end of a sentence.
| As far as I know, this canvas is old. | Que yo sepa, este lienzo es viejo. |
| The forger imitated the colors, as far as I know. | El falsificador imitó los colores, que yo sepa. |
Higher Certainty: Que me conste
The verb constar means "to be certain" or "to be evident" to someone, and it works with indirect object pronouns (like gustar). If you want to say "as far as I know for certain" or "that I am aware of," use the phrase que me conste. It is frequently paired with negative statements to firmly assert that you have no proof that something happened.
| As far as I know for certain, he didn't use that paintbrush. | Que me conste, él no usó ese pincel. |
| Look at it; it is not the original canvas, as far as I know for certain. | Míralo; no es el lienzo original, que me conste. |
Understating the Negative: Que digamos
When calling out a suspicious painting, you might want to soften your criticism or add a touch of irony. The phrase que digamos (literally, "that we might say") is added to the end of negative statements to mean "exactly" or "to say the least."
It is almost always paired with no and an adjective to politely or sarcastically understate a lack of quality.
| Check it well; it is not very genuine, to say the least. | Revísalo bien; no es muy genuino que digamos. |
| The signature is not very authentic, to say the least. | La firma no es muy auténtica que digamos. |