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"having said that..."

Posted by Smokey Stover on June 20, 2005

In Reply to: "Having said that..." posted by Smokey Stover on June 20, 2005

: : : I do not understand why and when we use the phrase "having said that..." What does it mean and when is it used. Please do provide me an example. Thank you :)

: : When we say it: when we make a bold assertion, or an assertion that might be taken as bold, and we wish to soften the impact lest we seem too absolute. It's an example of (false?) modesty, a way to hedge your bets, not unlike "on the other hand...."
: : Having said that ... there may be other uses fro the phrase. I didn't mean to seem all-inclusive....

: The present participle, whether used adjectivally or not, has to refer to a noun or pronoun that it modifies. In this case, the referent is almost always the subject, as in "Having said that, I left the room before she could slap my face." "Having said that, she left the room in a huff." (In this sentence, it is she, not I, that said that.) The same principle exists for most verbs. All that is required of the noun or pronoun is that they be the correct one. That is, they can be used as a participial adjective. "Giving it my all, I managed to push him off me." "Giving" modifies "I". Giving off clouds of smoke, the car turned the corner. Giving modifies car. Shaking off the rice, the bride stepped into the car. Trailing several strings of cans, the car carrying the wedding couple clattered down the road. SS

Put parentheses around "All that is reuired ... correct one." In the next sentence, they (that is, paraticipial adjectives) can be used.... Careless, careless, Smokey! SS

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