"Lie is a lie" in my sentence

[Rachel Adams]

I think my sentence "I think lie is lie regardless white it is or not" is unnatural. Can I change it into

1. "I think a lie is a lie regardless (whether) it is white or not."

2. "Lie is a lie white or not."

 

[GoesStation]

This expresses the idea with word order similar to yours: A lie is a lie, "white" or not.

 

[Rachel Adams]

This expresses the idea with word order similar to yours: A lie is a lie, "white" or not.

Yes! I was wondering if the same word order was possible. Thanks.

 

[GoesStation]

The quotation marks are important. They tell the reader how to think of the word "white".

 

[Rachel Adams]

The quotation marks are important. They tell the reader how to think of the word "white".

I thought it's unnecessary as it's a famous expression.
:roll: I will quote it next time.

 

[GoesStation]

I thought it's unnecessary as it's a famous expression.
:roll: I will quote it next time.

"White lie" is a common (not "famous") expression. The word "white" should not be surrounded with quotation marks when you write it. Your text displaces "white". Now the word needs quotation marks to help the reader understand that it's being discussed in the phrase where it appears and isn't itself a part of it.

This is extremely difficult to explain. You might want to consult Swann or Fowler to see if they cover the subject.

 

[tzfujimino]

His name's Swan, Michael Swan.