with the benefit of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with the benefit of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is being done with the advantage of hindsight or additional information. Example: "With the benefit of hindsight, I realize that I should have taken a different approach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Business

Sports

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

With the benefit of hindsight, that is hilarious.

The Guardian - Film

Data retention provides investigators with the benefit of hindsight.

The Guardian

"With the benefit of hindsight, were we doing enough?

The Guardian - Business

With the benefit of hindsight, the answer is now clear.

The Guardian - Film

Even with the benefit of perspective, the gulf is stark.

The New York Times - Tech

With the benefit of hindsight, the answer is surely yes.

Independent

"Mailing lists suck," he says, with the benefit of hindsight.

The Economist

With the benefit of hindsight, all was well.

The New York Times

With the benefit of hindsight, Harrison cautioned the Packers.

The New York Times - Sports

With the benefit of hindsight, Mr. Kissinger's assessment now seems a little simplistic.

The New York Times

With the benefit of hindsight, of course, that year seems irrelevant.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "with the benefit of hindsight", ensure it's clear what new information or perspective is influencing the revised view.

Common error

Avoid using "with the benefit of hindsight" to simply criticize past decisions without acknowledging the limited information available at the time. Instead, use it to offer constructive insights.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with the benefit of hindsight" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that a statement or judgment is made based on knowledge acquired after the event. Ludwig confirms that the expression is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Film

8%

Business

5%

Less common in

Sports

5%

Opinion

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "with the benefit of hindsight" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial phrase that serves to re-evaluate a past event based on new knowledge, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's most frequently found in news articles, film reviews, business analyses, and opinion pieces. While suitable for neutral and professional communication, the phrase is valuable when it accompanies a genuine, insightful critique rather than a mere condemnation of past actions. Considering the information presented across various sources, the phrase effectively bridges past actions with present understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with hindsight

Slightly shorter and more direct.

hindsight being 20/20

An idiomatic expression for perfect understanding in retrospect.

in retrospect

Emphasizes looking back at a past event, similar to having hindsight.

knowing what we know now

Highlights the current knowledge influencing the view.

seen in retrospect

highlights that is an interpretation or analysis of something that has already happened

looking back

A more general phrase for considering past events.

in light of later events

Focuses on how subsequent events clarify understanding.

with the advantage of experience

Similar to 'with the wisdom of experience' but focuses on the advantage gained.

with the wisdom of experience

Highlights the role of experience in gaining understanding.

as we now know

Emphasizes current understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "with the benefit of hindsight" in a sentence?

You can use "with the benefit of hindsight" to re-evaluate past actions or decisions, as in, "With the benefit of hindsight, I should have invested in that company."

What's a simpler way to say "with the benefit of hindsight"?

Alternatives include "in retrospect", "looking back", or "with hindsight", which are all suitable depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "with the benefit of hindsight"?

It is appropriate when you are genuinely re-evaluating a situation with new information. Avoid using it simply to criticize without offering a constructive perspective.

What is the difference between "with hindsight" and "in retrospect"?

While similar, "in retrospect" is a general reflection on the past, while "with hindsight" specifically implies that you now understand something better because of what has happened since.