Having said that

Using this phrase is like driving a car and smoothly changing lanes. You usually place it at the beginning of a new sentence to refer back to everything you just mentioned. For example: 'The rent is very high. Having said that, the location is perfect.' Notice how it sits between two complete ideas? You could also use it after a semicolon if you're feeling particularly fancy in a professional email. It requires a comma immediately after it, which gives your listener a tiny half-second to prepare for the change in direction. You shouldn't use it for small, unimportant contrasts. If you say, 'I like apples; having said that, I like oranges,' people might look at you funny. It is meant for more substantial shifts in logic or opinion. It’s also a great way to soften a blow. If you have to give someone bad news, you can start with the positive, use the phrase, and then deliver the reality. Or vice versa! It's a tool for social grace and logical precision. Just don't overdo it—using it three times in one paragraph will make you sound like a politician trying to avoid a direct answer.

This phrase lives comfortably in the 'formal' to 'neutral' zone. You will see it constantly in The New York Times opinion pieces, hear it in TED talks, and find it in academic journals. It is the gold standard for business meetings when you want to disagree with a colleague politely. Having said that says, 'I heard you, and your point is valid, but look at this.' In a very casual setting—like texting your best friend about what pizza to order—it might feel a bit stiff. Your friend might ask why you're suddenly talking like a university professor. For those casual moments, a simple but or still works better. However, if you are writing a cover letter, giving a presentation, or even writing a long, thoughtful Instagram caption about your recent travels, this phrase is your best friend. It elevates your register instantly. It makes you sound like a C1-level speaker who has mastered the art of complex reasoning. It’s the difference between saying 'The food was bad but I liked the vibe' and 'The meal was quite disappointing. Having said that, the atmosphere of the restaurant was truly unique.'

Let’s look at how this pops up in the wild. Imagine you’re watching a tech review on YouTube. The reviewer says, 'The new smartphone has a terrible battery life. Having said that, the camera quality is the best on the market.' The phrase bridges the gap between a deal-breaker and a selling point. Or think about a job interview on Zoom. You might say, 'I don't have much experience with this specific software. Having said that, I have mastered three similar programs in the last year.' See how it turns a weakness into a display of competence? Even in travel vlogging, you might hear: 'London is incredibly expensive and crowded. Having said that, there is a magic to the city that you won't find anywhere else.' It's everywhere once you start listening for it. It appears in podcasts when hosts are debating social issues, and it’s a staple of LinkedIn 'thought leader' posts. It's the phrase people use when they want to sound like they are being objective and fair-minded, even if they have a strong preference.

Use this when you want to show that you are a balanced thinker. It’s perfect for professional performance reviews. You can list an employee's areas for improvement and then say, Having said that, and list their greatest strengths. It’s also great for debating. If you’re arguing a point, acknowledging the other side’s best argument with this phrase makes your own argument stronger because it shows you aren't just ignoring the opposition. Use it when you are writing an essay or a report to connect two paragraphs that offer different perspectives on the same data. Use it in a long-form text message when you are explaining a complicated feeling to someone. It’s the perfect 'pivot' when you've been complaining about something for five minutes and want to end on a positive note so you don't sound like a total pessimist. It’s a social life-saver for when you need to be honest but don't want to be mean.

Avoid this phrase for simple, direct contradictions where but is much more natural. Don't say: 'I am hungry. Having said that, I will eat.' That makes no sense! The two ideas need to have some level of tension or contrast. Also, don't use it if the second point doesn't actually relate to the first. It’s a connector, not just a random filler. Another 'no-go' zone is when you are in a rush. If you are shouting directions to someone in an emergency, don't use five syllables when one will do. You should also avoid using it if you've already used other transition words like however or nevertheless in the same breath. It becomes repetitive and clunky. Finally, don't use it in very informal slang-heavy conversations. If you're saying 'Yo, that movie was mid,' following it up with having said that will create a very weird 'linguistic whiplash' for your friends. Stick to the vibe of the room.

A very common error is forgetting the comma after the phrase. Without it, the sentence feels like a runaway train. Another mistake is using it as a synonym for therefore. Remember: having said that is for contrast, not for things that follow naturally. If you say, 'It started raining; having said that, I got wet,' you are using it wrong. That should be consequently. Another slip-up is using the wrong tense, like 'Having say that.' It must always be the past participle said because you are referring to something you literally just finished saying. Some people also try to use it to start a brand new conversation. You can't walk up to a stranger and say having said that as your first sentence—you haven't said anything yet! It always needs a 'previous statement' to hang onto. Just like a bridge needs two sides of a river, this phrase needs two ideas to connect.

You will often hear that being said or with that said. These are almost identical in meaning and are used interchangeably in most contexts. That being said is perhaps slightly more common in modern American English, while having said that feels a touch more British or traditional, though both are used globally. Another variation is even so, which is a bit shorter and more forceful. If you want something even more formal, you might use nevertheless or nonetheless. On the more casual side, people often just say still or all the same. In the world of social media, you might even see 'But... also...' as a simplified version. However, if you want that specific 'academic' or 'professional' weight, stick to the original. It has a rhythmic quality that 'but' just can't match. It’s like the difference between a quick snack and a three-course meal. One gets the job done, but the other is an experience.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with it? Yes! In fact, that's the most common way to use it. It acts as an introductory phrase for the entire sentence. Can I use it in a text? Sure, if you're writing a longer message. If it's just 'u up?', then no, stay away. Is it the same as on the other hand? Very similar, but having said that feels more like a direct response to a specific point you just made, whereas on the other hand often introduces a completely separate alternative. Does it sound pretentious? Only if you use it to describe why you chose blue socks over black ones. In a real discussion, it sounds smart, not stuck-up. It shows you have a big vocabulary and a nuanced brain. And who doesn't want that?