The phrase “with that being said” is common in spoken and written English. People use it to transition from one idea to another, often adding a contrast, conclusion, or important point.
While it works, using it too often can sound repetitive, weak, or slightly awkward—especially in professional emails, meetings, or academic writing.
Choosing better alternatives matters because word choice affects tone, clarity, and confidence. In business, the right transition can sound decisive.
In conversations, it can feel natural and smooth. In essays, it can make your argument stronger and clearer.
Compare this quickly:
Formal:
“I understand your concern. However, we need to follow company policy.”
Informal:
“I get your point. That said, we should try something else.”
Learning varied alternatives helps you sound fluent, professional, and natural—without relying on one overused phrase.
What Does “With That Being Said” Mean?
Student-friendly meaning:
“With that being said” means after considering what I just mentioned, here is another point—often a contrast or conclusion.
Grammar form:
It is a fixed transition phrase (not a verb or idiom). It links two ideas smoothly.
Similar tone synonyms:
- That said
- However
- Even so
- Still
Opposite tone ideas:
- In addition
- Moreover
- Also
Sample sentences:
“I like the idea. With that being said, the budget is too high.”
“He apologized. With that being said, trust takes time.”
When to Use “With That Being Said”
Spoken English
Used in discussions, debates, or explanations to shift direction politely.
Business English
Common in presentations and meetings, but can sound wordy if overused.
Emails / Messages
Acceptable, but often replaced by cleaner transitions like “however” or “that said.”
Social media
Less common. Shorter phrases work better.
Academic writing
Generally avoided. Professors prefer concise transitions.
Professional meetings
Works, but confident speakers often choose sharper alternatives.
Is “With That Being Said” Polite or Professional?
The phrase is polite and neutral, but not very strong.
- Polite: Yes
- Neutral: Yes
- Strong: No
- Soft: Yes
Formal vs Informal:
It sits in the middle. Not casual, not very formal.
Etiquette tip:
Fine for conversations and presentations. Avoid it in corporate emails or academic writing where clarity and brevity matter.
Pros & Cons of Using “With That Being Said”
✔ Pros:
- Polite and non-confrontational
- Easy for learners to use
- Smooth transition in speech
✘ Cons:
- Sounds repetitive if overused
- Too long and wordy
- Weak in professional or academic writing
Quick Alternatives List (For Fast Use)
- That said
- However
- Still
- Even so
- Having said that
- Nonetheless
- On the other hand
- Yet
- At the same time
- All things considered
- In contrast
- Nevertheless
- Despite that
- Moving forward
- From another perspective
- Taking this into account
Strong Alternatives to “With That Being Said”
That said
Meaning:
After what was mentioned, here is a contrast.
Explanation:
Short, natural, and very common in modern English. Sounds confident.
Grammar Note:
Transition phrase.
Example Sentence:
“I like your idea. That said, we need more data.”
Best Use:
Workplace, email, conversation.
Worst Use:
Very formal academic papers.
Tone:
Professional, neutral.
Level:
Beginner.
Similarity Score:
9/10.
Replaceability Tip:
Use this when you want a cleaner, shorter version.
However
Meaning:
Shows contrast.
Explanation:
Formal, direct, and powerful. Preferred in writing.
Grammar Note:
Conjunctive adverb.
Example Sentence:
“The plan is promising. However, the cost is high.”
Best Use:
Emails, reports, academic writing.
Worst Use:
Very casual texting.
Tone:
Formal, strong.
Level:
Beginner.
Similarity Score:
8/10.
Replaceability Tip:
Choose this when clarity matters more than friendliness.
Having said that
Meaning:
Despite what was just mentioned.
Explanation:
More conversational than “however.” Sounds reflective.
Grammar Note:
Participial phrase.
Example Sentence:
“It’s risky. Having said that, I’m willing to try.”
Best Use:
Meetings, spoken English.
Worst Use:
Short professional emails.
Tone:
Neutral, thoughtful.
Level:
Intermediate.
Similarity Score:
10/10.
Replaceability Tip:
Best direct replacement in speech.
Still
Meaning:
Despite the situation.
Explanation:
Short and confident. Often used in speech.
Grammar Note:
Adverb.
Example Sentence:
“It’s difficult. Still, we should continue.”
Best Use:
Conversation, presentations.
Worst Use:
Formal reports.
Tone:
Neutral.
Level:
Beginner.
Similarity Score:
7/10.
Even so
Meaning:
Despite that fact.
Explanation:
Sounds calm and logical.
Grammar Note:
Adverbial phrase.
Example Sentence:
“The results were poor. Even so, we learned a lot.”
Best Use:
Writing and speech.
Worst Use:
Very casual chats.
Tone:
Professional, soft.
Level:
Intermediate.
Similarity Score:
8/10.
Nonetheless
Meaning:
In spite of that.
Explanation:
Formal and strong. Often used in writing.
Grammar Note:
Adverb.
Example Sentence:
“The task was complex. Nonetheless, we succeeded.”
Best Use:
Academic and business writing.
Worst Use:
Text messages.
Tone:
Formal.
Level:
Advanced.
Similarity Score:
7/10.
Nevertheless
Meaning:
Despite what was said.
Explanation:
Similar to “nonetheless” but slightly more formal.
Grammar Note:
Adverb.
Example Sentence:
“There were delays. Nevertheless, the project finished on time.”
Best Use:
Reports, essays.
Worst Use:
Casual speech.
Tone:
Formal.
Level:
Advanced.
Similarity Score:
7/10.
On the other hand
Meaning:
Introduces an opposite point.
Explanation:
Useful for balanced arguments.
Grammar Note:
Fixed phrase.
Example Sentence:
“The job pays well. On the other hand, it’s stressful.”
Best Use:
Comparisons, discussions.
Worst Use:
Short emails.
Tone:
Neutral.
Level:
Beginner.
Similarity Score:
6/10.
Yet
Meaning:
But despite that.
Explanation:
Short and strong.
Grammar Note:
Conjunction.
Example Sentence:
“He was tired, yet he kept working.”
Best Use:
Writing, speeches.
Worst Use:
Long spoken explanations.
Tone:
Strong.
Level:
Beginner.
Similarity Score:
6/10.
All things considered
Meaning:
After thinking about everything.
Explanation:
More reflective. Often used for conclusions.
Grammar Note:
Idiomatic phrase.
Example Sentence:
“All things considered, it was a good decision.”
Best Use:
Meetings, summaries.
Worst Use:
Fast-paced conversation.
Tone:
Professional, thoughtful.
Level:
Intermediate.
Similarity Score:
5/10.
At the same time
Meaning:
Shows contrast without disagreement.
Explanation:
Softens opposing points.
Grammar Note:
Adverbial phrase.
Example Sentence:
“I agree. At the same time, we must be careful.”
Best Use:
Polite discussions.
Worst Use:
Strong arguments.
Tone:
Soft, polite.
Level:
Beginner.
Similarity Score:
6/10.
Despite that
Meaning:
Even with that fact.
Explanation:
Clear and direct.
Grammar Note:
Prepositional phrase.
Example Sentence:
“It was expensive. Despite that, we bought it.”
Best Use:
Writing, conversation.
Worst Use:
Formal academic tone.
Tone:
Neutral.
Level:
Beginner.
Similarity Score:
8/10.
In contrast
Meaning:
Shows a clear difference.
Explanation:
Analytical and formal.
Grammar Note:
Prepositional phrase.
Example Sentence:
“Sales increased. In contrast, costs dropped.”
Best Use:
Reports, essays.
Worst Use:
Casual talk.
Tone:
Formal.
Level:
Intermediate.
Similarity Score:
5/10.
From another perspective
Meaning:
Looking at it differently.
Explanation:
Polite and diplomatic.
Grammar Note:
Prepositional phrase.
Example Sentence:
“From another perspective, this is an opportunity.”
Best Use:
Meetings, negotiations.
Worst Use:
Very short messages.
Tone:
Professional, soft.
Level:
Intermediate.
Similarity Score:
4/10.
Taking this into account
Meaning:
Considering the previous point.
Explanation:
Formal and logical.
Grammar Note:
Participial phrase.
Example Sentence:
“Taking this into account, we changed the plan.”
Best Use:
Business writing.
Worst Use:
Casual conversation.
Tone:
Professional.
Level:
Advanced.
Similarity Score:
6/10.
Moving forward
Meaning:
Focusing on the next step.
Explanation:
Not a direct replacement, but common in professional transitions.
Grammar Note:
Verb phrase.
Example Sentence:
“Moving forward, we’ll improve communication.”
Best Use:
Workplace, meetings.
Worst Use:
Academic essays.
Tone:
Professional, proactive.
Level:
Intermediate.
Similarity Score:
3/10.
Mini Dialogue Examples
Formal conversation:
“Your proposal has merit. However, we need approval first.”
Informal conversation:
“I like the movie. That said, the ending was weird.”
Business email:
“We appreciate your feedback. Taking this into account, we will revise the schedule.”
Common Mistakes Learners Make
- Overusing “with that being said” in every paragraph
- Using formal alternatives in casual chats
- Mixing transitions incorrectly
- Forgetting punctuation after transitions
- Using very long phrases in short emails
- Sounding hesitant instead of confident
Cultural & Tone Tips
In US English, shorter transitions like “that said” sound confident.
In UK English, formal options like “however” and “nevertheless” are common in writing.
In casual social English, people prefer “but,” “still,” or “though.”
Native speakers notice variety. Repeating one phrase feels unnatural.
Comparison Table of Best Alternatives
| Phrase | Tone | Best Context | Professional Level | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| That said | Neutral | Email, speech | Medium | “That said, we should wait.” |
| However | Formal | Writing | High | “However, the cost is high.” |
| Having said that | Friendly | Conversation | Medium | “Having said that, I agree.” |
| Nonetheless | Formal | Reports | High | “Nonetheless, we continued.” |
| Still | Neutral | Speech | Low | “Still, it matters.” |
| All things considered | Thoughtful | Meetings | Medium | “All things considered, it worked.” |
FAQs
Is “with that being said” rude?
No. It’s polite, but slightly weak.
Is it okay in emails?
Yes, but shorter alternatives are better.
What is the most formal alternative?
“However” or “nevertheless.”
What is the most polite alternative?
“At the same time” or “from another perspective.”
What should beginners use?
“But,” “however,” or “that said.”
Can I use it in academic writing?
Avoid it. Use formal transitions instead.
Conclusion
Using different ways to say “with that being said” improves clarity, confidence, and fluency.
Strong alternatives help you sound professional in emails, natural in conversations, and clear in writing. Instead of repeating one phrase, choose transitions that match your tone and situation.
Practice these alternatives in real conversations and writing. Over time, your English will sound smoother, more natural, and more confident.
John Lee is an education-focused writer with a strong interest in English grammar and language learning.
He creates clear, student-friendly content to help learners improve their grammar skills with confidence.