The phrase “that being said” indicates that an alternative phrase is going to be used by the speaker. Normally this phrase will contradict previous statements from the same discussion.
This phrase is used as a common transitional phrase in both formal and informal writing contexts. “That being said” transitions to the next statement that opposes what has previously been said.
There are many synonyms for the phrase “that being said” such as “nevertheless”, “however”, and “nonetheless”. In this post, we’ll further explain the meaning of “that being said” & how it should be used in a sentence.
What Is The Meaning Of “That Being Said”?
“That being said” is a transitional phrase that is used to introduce a contrasting or qualifying statement. It often contradicts or opposes a previous point from the ongoing discussion. This phrase signals a shift in the direction of the conversation.
The expression “that being said” can be used correctly in both formal and informal settings (i.e. conversations, presentations, essays, and more).
The phrase “that being said” should be followed by a comma that separates it from the next statement. This comma emphasizes the transition from the previous points. It is important to understand comma rules to use expressions like this correctly.
How Do You Use “That Being Said” In A Sentence?
Here are 7 sentence examples that demonstrate how to use the phrase “that being said” correctly in your writing.
- The movie received mixed reviews; that being said, it managed to captivate a niche audience with its unique storytelling.
- She’s a talented artist, and her recent works have garnered attention. That being said, her earlier pieces still hold a special place in the art community.
- Our budget is limited for this project. That being said, we can still explore creative solutions to achieve our goals.
- The new software update offers improved functionality; however, it might also introduce some compatibility issues. That being said, our technical team is actively addressing these concerns.
- The research supports the hypothesis to a certain extent. That being said, further experiments are needed to validate its conclusions conclusively.
- The restaurant has an impressive menu with a diverse range of dishes. That being said, their dessert selection is particularly outstanding and worth trying.
- The initial survey results indicate a positive response from customers. That being said, we should conduct a more extensive survey to gather comprehensive feedback.
However, just like we saw in our analysis of the phrase “per your request” writers need to know the proper context to use a phrase.
What Are Synonyms For “That Being Said”?
Here is a list of synonyms that can be used in place of “that being said” in your writing.
- Nevertheless
- However
- Nonetheless
- Even so
- Nonetheless
- Nevertheless
Just like we saw in our post about the meaning of “whether or not”, synonyms can be very powerful tools to add variety to your writing.
Is There A Difference Between “That Being Said” vs “That Said”?
No, there is no difference between “that being said” and “that said”. Both of these terms have the same meaning and use case. In fact, the following 3 phrases can be used interchangeably to communicate a caveat to a previous statement.
- That being said, we should hire Mark as he is still the best person for the job.
- That said, we should hire Mark as he is still the best person for the job.
- Having said that, we should hire Mark as he is still the best person for the job.
Popularity Analysis
Google’s own Ngram data shows us the frequency in which the phrases “that being said”, “that said”, and “having said that” have been used in published writing over the years. Data shows that the phrase “that said” is used most frequently by authors in different forms of writing. This is most likely because it is the shortest phrase to express the same meaning. However, like we saw in our analysis of the phrase “cut of your jib“, the popularity of idiomatic expressions can fluctuate over periods of time.
What Are Other Popular Idioms?
An idiom is a group of words or a phrase that has a literal meaning that does not match the literal definition of it’s individual words. They are commonly used to add color, depth, and emphasis to language. They can even be used to simplify more complicated concepts.
Here are 2 popular idioms that are commonly used in the English language.
- “Break a leg”: Used to wish someone good luck before an act or performance.
- “Bite the bullet”: Used when someone has to face a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage.
Remember, these are casual saying. This means that unlike the formal expression please be advised, they can be used in informal settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the phrase “That being said” can be used in formal contexts to transition between ideas and introduce contrasting or qualifying statements.
The exact origin of the phrase “That being said” is unclear, but it has been in use for quite some time and has become a common transitional expression in the English language.
The Bottom Line
By now you should be an expert on the phrase “that being said” and it’s correct usage in your writing. This phrase is used to transition to an opposing statement compared to the previous statement. Writers can also use the phrase “that said” and “having said that” as equivalent alternatives in their writing. If you need more help with grammar rules like this consider using our Grammar Checker Tool to make proofreading much easier.
