I have looked up some clarifications of this phrase and they said it can be use as a sequencing marker, some said its use is usually as a concession and it is not an alternative to contradictory phrases such as "despite of" and "although".(https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/192739/with-all-that-said-in-spoken-english-contradict-or-not)
In addition, it seems to me that "with that said" and "that said" are the same - Is this correct?
If yes, then I also found that learnersdictionary.com explains that "that said" is a signal that someone is going to say something which will contrast or disagree with what they said a moment ago. So it's contradictory to the explanation from English.stackexchange.com in which "with that said" can't be replaced for "though".
I am so confused by all of those explanations. Which one is right? Is there any better answer?
Thanks.
I agree with Thomas on the sequence marker part. I'm not sure the second example necessarily needs to be contradictory. It's more "despite the fact"
"I shouldn't have taken that 10th tequila shot last night, despite that, it was one hell of a night"
"The beginning of the road was very bumpy, that said, it was a very enjoyable drive". So even though the whole ride wasn't perfect, it was still over all enjoyable.
And with that said, I'm going to end this comment.
Hi Thomas, thank you for your help. It is clearer for me now!
Yes, if seen in person, it would be pretty much easier to know. I think I will rely on the content to guess what the phrase means in particular writing. Thanks!
I am by no means a language expert, but I will try and help you out with this one.
That said / With that said
Both are interchangeable, and I believe both the resources you cited are correct on their uses. It can be both used as a sequencing marker AND as a signal that someone is about to say something contradicting. Here are some examples that I hope help:
I just pooped my pants, and with that said, I'm calling it a night. (sequencing)
Man, I wish I hadn't taken that 10th tequila shot last night, that said, it was one a hell of a night. (contradicting)
I would think the contradicting usage is a little harder to master, just because you need to pick up the physical cues of how a person is saying it. Imagine the person that said the second sentence, said the first part of it, "Man, I wish I hadn't taken that 10th tequila shot last night" in a really distraught mood, head hung down and looking sick. Then all of a sudden, he whips his head up, looks you straight in the eye with a smirk and says, "that said, it was one hell of a night."
Hope this HELPSSS!!!!!!!
