Many words and phrases have nothing to contribute to communication. Some of my blogs will feature such words and phrases to identify them and suggest writers use them less often.
“That said…” [My favorite, the one that bothers me most, along with its many variations: that being said, having said that, or just saying.]
Who uses “That said…”
There is no reason to say, “that said…” when you’ve already said what you just said! It is used by everyone, sports announcers, radio personalities, columnists. Cheryl B. Klein, then an editor at Scholastic, used it in her beautiful book THE MAGIC WORDS. “That said, editors and agents love novels that can pull off these kinds of unconventional time structures…” (p. 218, emphasis in original).
Why this phrase should be discontinued
“That said…” is overused and seems to be an attempt to call attention to the sentence that follows or as a transition to a contrary opinion. I contend neither is necessary; a follow-up or contrary opinion can stand on its own.
If the phrase is used after an explanation of something that should be considered carefully before being attempted, as in the Cheryl B. Klein example above, I contend it would be clearer to begin with the last sentence, “editors and agents love…” and then go on to explain why “[cutting] back and forth among multiple timelines” (p. 217) may be difficult to execute.
Leave a comment; tell me about a word or phrase that grates on your communication nerves. And, please, use “That said…” less. Thanks! : ) Word Less Lee