one thing though

USAGE SUMMARY

"one thing though" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to introduce an idea that contrasts with what you just said. For example: "The play was enjoyable but one thing though, the lead actor had a hard time remembering his lines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just one thing, though, I can't resist a word on the fingerprint sensor.

Forbes

One thing though is sure.

Independent

One thing, though, he grasped perfectly.

The New Yorker

One thing, though, never changed.

The Guardian - Books

One thing, though, has changed.

The Guardian - Opinion

There's one thing, though, that never gets stale: winning.

The New Yorker

A powerful landscape is one thing, though; a sentient landscape is another.

The Guardian - Books

One thing, though, drove Linda crazy in the kiss and cry.

The New York Times - Sports

About one thing, though, we could all agree: everything had changed.

The New Yorker

"I'll tell you one thing, though," he continued, turning back to his listener.

The New Yorker

I wouldn't want to learn just one thing, though, I mused.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "one thing though" to introduce a counterpoint or qualification to a previous statement, ensuring a smooth transition in your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "one thing though" repeatedly within a short passage. This can make your writing sound repetitive. Use synonyms or rephrase for variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one thing though" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase, used to introduce a contrasting or qualifying statement. It typically follows an independent clause, adding a nuance or exception to what has already been mentioned, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "one thing though" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a contrasting or qualifying statement. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and very common, appearing frequently in news and media sources. While suitable for many contexts, more formal writing may benefit from alternatives like "however" or "nevertheless". Be mindful of overuse to maintain writing clarity and avoid repetition. When used correctly, "one thing though" effectively adds nuance and balance to your arguments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however

This is a single-word conjunction with a similar contrastive meaning.

nevertheless

A more formal synonym for "however", indicating a contrast.

yet

A simple conjunction expressing contrast or concession.

that being said

This phrase introduces a contrasting point after a previous statement.

on the other hand

This phrase introduces an alternative perspective or contrasting idea.

with that said

Similar to "that being said", indicating a shift in focus.

having said that

Expresses a contrast after acknowledging a previous point.

but

A basic conjunction to express contrast.

even so

This suggests that despite a previous statement, something else is true.

all the same

Despite what has been said, the situation remains the same.

FAQs

How can I use "one thing though" in a sentence?

Use "one thing though" to introduce a contrasting or qualifying idea after making an initial statement. For example, "The movie was visually stunning, "one thing though", the plot was a bit predictable."

What are some alternatives to "one thing though"?

Alternatives to "one thing though" include "however", "nevertheless", "yet", or "on the other hand". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "one thing though"?

While grammatically acceptable, starting a sentence directly with "one thing though" might sound informal. It's often better to integrate it within the sentence for smoother flow. For instance, "There's the cost; "one thing though", there's also the environmental impact."

When should I avoid using "one thing though"?

Avoid using "one thing though" in highly formal or academic writing where a more sophisticated transition might be preferred. In those cases, consider alternatives like "nevertheless" or "however".