on mature reflection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on mature reflection" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has thought carefully and thoroughly about a matter before reaching a conclusion or decision. Example: "On mature reflection, I believe it would be best to postpone the project until we have more resources available."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He won't say that the shrink made him do it, but on mature reflection, and we have plenty of that, plus the odd senior moment of long hesitation, he concludes that he did the right thing.

The Guardian - Film

Raia Prokhovnik, for example, has claimed that aristocracy is "the form of government [Spinoza] on mature reflection prefers" (2004, 210; cf. Feuer 1987).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The new "Friendship" shares its quality of mature reflection with Out of the Game.

Independent

That culture propelled Microsoft's success, but it was not up to mature reflection on the implications of a federal antitrust suit.

The New York Times - Books

The Dylan Thomas prize's founder, Professor Peter Stead, described The Meeting Point as "a beautifully written and mature reflection on identity, loyalty and belief in a complex world".

The Guardian - Books

But upon mature reflection it proves the Communists to be a piffling sort of menace.

The New Yorker

The Vatican said that Francis decided to institute the commission "after intense prayer and mature reflection".

The New York Times

Ms. Davis herself is convincingly naïve, staying inside the skin of her younger self with admirable ease, although there are times when you wish she had also included more mature reflections on her experience.

The New York Times

In response to Chatton's criticism and his positive alternative, Ockham abandoned his fictum theory, at first with some hesitation, wavering between this early theory and Chatton's new intellectio model, subsequently embracing it more fully, and finally, in his most mature philosophical reflection on the topic, even arguing against the old fictum theory.

SEP

The year 2009 has seen the publication of a plethora of review articles on the subject of evolution and speciation, which have allowed me to start catching up on these vast subjects, and to mature my reflections on the mechanisms involved in speciation.

Biology Direct

Some may on reflection be wrong.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on mature reflection" to introduce a considered opinion or decision, especially after a period of uncertainty or debate. It signals thoughtfulness and a willingness to revise initial judgments.

Common error

Avoid using "on mature reflection" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can make your writing sound stilted or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "after thinking about it" or "in retrospect" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on mature reflection" functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb or clause, indicating the time or condition under which an action or thought occurs. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase signifies a considered opinion after thorough thought.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on mature reflection" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that introduces a thought or opinion reached after careful consideration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signals thoughtfulness and a willingness to revise initial judgments. While not overly common, it is found in formal contexts such as news media and academic writing. Alternatives like "upon reflection" or "after careful consideration" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. Overusing the phrase should be avoided to maintain a natural writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon reflection

Shorter and slightly less formal, implying a similar process of thinking again.

after careful consideration

Emphasizes the thoroughness of the thought process.

on reconsideration

Implies a formal review and rethinking of a previous decision.

with due consideration

Highlights the respect and seriousness given to the matter.

after further thought

Suggests a deeper level of thinking than the initial consideration.

on second thought

Suggests a change of mind after some consideration.

having given it some thought

More conversational, indicating a period of contemplation.

after pondering

Emphasizes the depth and length of the thinking process.

in retrospect

Focuses on looking back at a past event with new understanding.

with hindsight

Similar to "in retrospect", emphasizing the advantage of knowing what happened.

FAQs

How can I use "on mature reflection" in a sentence?

The phrase "on mature reflection" is typically used to introduce a thought or conclusion reached after careful and thorough consideration. For example, "On mature reflection, I realized I had made the wrong decision."

What are some alternatives to "on mature reflection"?

You can use alternatives like "upon reflection", "after careful consideration", or "in retrospect depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "on mature reflection" or "after giving it some thought"?

"On mature reflection" is more formal and suggests a more deliberative process than "after giving it some thought", which is more casual.

When is it best to use "on mature reflection" in writing?

Use "on mature reflection" when you want to emphasize that you have carefully and thoughtfully considered a matter before arriving at a conclusion. It's particularly useful when you're presenting a revised opinion or a decision that required careful weighing of different factors.