Having said that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Having said that" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or qualifies what has just been said. Example: "The project has faced several challenges. Having said that, we are still on track to meet our deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Having said that, we have protected nothing.

The New York Times

Having said that, I'm behind Kate Garraway.

Independent

Having said that, combining M.&A.

The New York Times

Having said that, Olivier's performance is terrific.

The Guardian - Film

Having said that, why not experiment?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Having said that, I do feel deracinated.

The Guardian

(Having said that, it was nicely cooked).

The New York Times

Having said that, we will move on".

The New York Times - Magazine

"Having said that, he is weak".

The New York Times

Having said that, here's another nomination.

The New York Times

Having said that, I was surprised.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow "Having said that" with a comma to maintain clarity and readability.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "Having said that", as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Use synonyms like "nonetheless" or "however" to vary your sentence structure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Having said that" functions as a conjunctive adverb or transitional phrase. It connects two clauses or sentences, indicating a contrast, concession, or qualification of the preceding statement. Ludwig examples confirm its role in introducing a contrasting or qualifying idea.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Having said that" is a versatile conjunction phrase used to introduce a contrasting or qualifying statement, indicating a shift in thought. It is grammatically correct and very common across various contexts, including news, media, and science, according to Ludwig. While highly useful for adding nuance, overuse should be avoided by using "nonetheless", "however" or other synonyms to maintain a diverse writing style. Ludwig's analysis and examples validate its proper usage and communicative function.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

That being said

A more concise and slightly less formal alternative.

Nonetheless

Implies a contrast despite what has been said before.

Nevertheless

Similar to "nonetheless", but can suggest a slightly stronger contrast.

However

A direct and common way to introduce a contrasting statement.

Even so

Suggests that despite the previous statement, the following point still holds.

With that in mind

Connects the previous statement to a related consideration.

In spite of that

Highlights a contrast despite the preceding information.

Despite that

A more compact version of "in spite of that".

All the same

Implies that the following statement remains true despite the previous one.

Be that as it may

A more formal and emphatic way to acknowledge the previous statement before introducing a contrasting point.

FAQs

How can I use "Having said that" in a sentence?

"Having said that" is used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or qualifies a previous statement. For example: "The project has faced several challenges. "Having said that", we are still on track to meet our deadline."

What's a less formal alternative to "Having said that"?

A less formal alternative is "that being said". It serves the same purpose but has a more conversational tone.

How does "Having said that" differ from "on the other hand"?

"Having said that" generally acknowledges a previous point before introducing a contrast, whereas "on the other hand" directly introduces an opposing viewpoint without necessarily acknowledging the previous one.

Is it always necessary to use a comma after "Having said that"?

Yes, it's generally recommended to use a comma after "Having said that" to improve readability and clarity. For example: "It was a difficult decision; "having said that", it was the right thing to do."