You want to discuss both sides of a situation, but is “having said that” an appropriate phrase to use? Are there any better phrases?
We’re here to answer that question. Moreover, we’ve compiled a list of both informal and formal synonyms for the phrase “having said that” so you never run out of options!
Other Ways to Say “Having Said That”
- Nevertheless
- At the same time
- On second thought
- On the other hand
- That being said
- Conversely
- Then again
- In contrast
- However
- Alternatively
- On the flip side
- Regardless
- By way of an alternative
- Yet
- But despite that
- In spite of that
- Meanwhile
- Nonetheless
- On the other side of the coin
- Contrarily
- Inversely
- Notwithstanding
- Be that as it may
KEY TAKEAWAY
- “Having said that” is a grammatically correct phrase that’s most suited for informal settings.
- To change up your phrasing in informal circumstances, you can say “at the same time.”
- In more formal circumstances, you can say “nevertheless” instead.
Keep reading to see how we use our choice of formal and informal synonymous phrases for “having said that” in a couple of examples.
Once that’s done, we’ll talk about the correctness of the phrase “having said that.” Does it come across as rude?
Nevertheless (Formal)
“Nevertheless” is a great example of how to say “having said that” professionally. Moreover, you can use this synonym in a number of other formal circumstances as well.
Firstly, “nevertheless” is a direct synonym for the original phrase. Essentially, they both mean “in spite of” and they can often be used interchangeably.
However, “having said that” is considered rather conversational. Therefore, while it might be used in professional correspondence here and there, “nevertheless” is a better option in particularly formal settings.
Moreover, you can use this synonym as a great one-word alternative to keep your work email or other correspondence concise.
Finally, let’s look at a sample email to see how one might use this phrase:
Dear Anis,
I will say that your presentation style is unique and somewhat lacking in form.
Nevertheless, the client was impressed and decided to proceed with us.
Well done.
Regards,
Kai Ladder
At the Same Time (Informal)
Another way to say “having said that” is “at the same time.” This is a great informal synonym that you can use in more casual exchanges.
“At the same time” can be used before a counterpoint to something you’ve said. It implies that you are considering both sides of a situation simultaneously. On that basis, it is a fairly direct synonym for “having said that.”
Additionally, this alternative is in no way superior to the original. However, you can use it to mix up your phrasing from time to time.
In particular, you can use it in conversations with friends or in your emails to colleagues where a very formal tone isn’t necessary.
To see what we mean, consider the email example below:
Dear Siya,
I think it would be a good idea to divide this project across departments.
But, at the same time, I worry about maintaining consistency, as we all have fairly unique styles.
What do you think?
Let me know,
Kyle
Is It Correct to Say “Having Said That”?
The phrase “having said that” is grammatically correct and most suited for informal or casual settings.
You may see this phrase used in work correspondence from time to time. However, it is a conversational phrase, and people usually avoid using it in formal documents.
Therefore, you can use our list of synonyms to find a more formal synonym or to change up your wording in informal situations as needed.
“Having said that” is by no means a rude phrase. However, it is not especially polite either. Once again, it comes across rather casually.
Nonetheless, if you choose to use this phrase, you should add a comma afterward. Consider the examples below, for instance:
- Correct: Having said that, she always returns when called.
- Incorrect: Having said that she always returns when called.
As you can see, without the comma, the sentence becomes a bit vague.
In conclusion, it is perfectly correct to say “having said that” in informal circumstances. However, it should generally be avoided in more formal writing.
If you found our list of synonyms useful, feel free to bookmark this page for later!