If you want your English to sound thoughtful rather than one-sided, “having said that” is one phrase you cannot afford to ignore. It lets you present both sides of an argument, soften criticism, or add nuance—all in three words.
Core Meaning: “Having said that” means “even though what I just said is true, here is something that contrasts or qualifies it.”
Structure: [Statement.] Having said that, [contrasting point.]
Register: Formal and semi-formal spoken and written English.
Think of it as a sophisticated hinge that connects two opposing ideas. It’s more elegant than “but” and more natural than “however” in conversation.
examples:
1. The hotel was a bit overpriced. Having said that, the service was outstanding.
2. The exam was tough. Having said that, most students managed to clear it.
3. The film received poor reviews. Having said that, it performed well at the box office.
Variants of “Having Said That” — With Context & Examples
That said
Informal version of “having said that” — equally common in conversation and writing.
The training was long. That said, it covered everything we needed. (Context: Reviewing a workshop)
She’s strict in class. That said, her students always score well. (Context: Describing a teacher)
Be that as it may
Formal; acknowledges the previous point but insists on moving forward despite it.
The budget is limited. Be that as it may, we must deliver the project on time. (Context: Office/corporate)
The decision was unpopular. Be that as it may, it was the right one. (Context: Formal debate)
Nevertheless / Nonetheless
More formal; transitions to a contrasting point despite what was previously mentioned.
The road conditions were poor. Nevertheless, the delivery reached on time. (Context: Logistics report)
Power cuts are frequent in summer. Nonetheless, the factory met its target. (Context: India, industrial setting)
Even so
Conversational; means “despite that fact.”
The traffic in Bengaluru is terrible. Even so, people love living there. (Context: India, city life)
She didn’t prepare much. Even so, she gave a confident presentation. (Context: Work or college)
Then again
Casual; reconsiders the previous point from a different angle.
Online classes feel isolating. Then again, you save hours of commuting. (Context: Student perspective)
It’s an expensive phone. Then again, it’ll probably last five years. (Context: Consumer decision)
At the same time
Shows two truths exist simultaneously without cancelling each other out.
Remote work offers flexibility. At the same time, it can blur work-life boundaries. (Context: Workplace)
Street food in India is delicious. At the same time, hygiene can be unpredictable. (Context: India, food culture)
Key difference: “Having said that” and “that said” are the most natural in speech. “Nevertheless” and “be that as it may” suit formal essays and reports. “Then again” works best in casual, reflective conversations.
These contrast phrases work hand-in-hand with discourse fillers. See our guide on 50 Fillers in English where “having said that” appears as filler #18. Also explore Provided That and Conditional Phrases for structuring arguments with conditions instead of contrasts.