It is better not to say - it is better to say nothing Better do not say To be better means to improve upon - you would use the word, "better" in something like, "it IS better to not say" - better = preferable or giving more worth to something/someone You could say, "Better yet! Do not say anything!" - the "better" would be the idea is better, the more preferable option. The idea of saying nothing, is better FOR the situation, because of the outcome. It is better not to say because.............. Better do not say -------------- "Do not say" is some advice or an instruction, "Do not say anything about us to your friends!!" - it is an instruction - you can't have an instruction be more of an instruction, just because you put, "better" before it. "better do not say" - doesn't work. "Better yet, do not say" does work because you're giving a preferable option/suggestion (better yet) and and instruction/request, "do not say". I find this answer to be confusing, is it clear to you? Sorry, I'm tired.

Word order in English sentences is very important to express exact meaning, so it is often important to put "not" in a very precise place in order to show exactly what word is being negated, rather than negating the whole sentence. Can you give a complete sentence to show your question about the difference between "better don't say" and "better not to say"? Again, the exact meaning you want is what controls where "not" goes in the sentence and how it should be used.

You can say "Please don't say the answer", "Do not tell anyone what I said". When you give instructions to someone or ask them not to do something, you can say "do not". It is better not to say that out loud. You should not go outside while it is raining. This is the way we say it.