I often see sentences begin with "That said"

[Koroleva]

I often see sentences begin with "That said". For example:

"That said, you should never eat fewer than 1200 calories per day."
"That said, don't pretend to be an expert about something in which you have little idea at all."

What does this expression mean exactly? That what follows this expression is a quotation?

Koroleva

[Alan]

Hi,

This expression is really a contraction of: Having said that/Although I have said that. It usually introduces another statement putting another point of view as in:

That said, I should point out that we mustn't forget what has already happened.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Tom]

Dear Alan

Could you please shed a little more light on the use of that said ?

I mean to ask, if the expression is connected with the previous conversation?

Please give some details

Tom

[Tom]

Hi Amy

Do you ever use this expression?

Tom

[Yankee]

Yes, Tom, I do.

You use it after you've just spoken about a particular topic, and then change directions slightly and talk about something slightly different (probably something related). The "That said" is similar in meaning to "That having been said" and it refers back to what you've just said. It's also a kind of verbal signpost that indicates that the listener should keep what was just said in mind, but that what you are now going to say goes off in a slightly different direction.

Amy
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Tom]

Dear Amy

Last question:

Is it used both in written and spoken English?

Can you write one sentence that would be said before that said ?

Tom

[Yankee]

Hi Tom

It's probably most often used in spoken English, probably a bit more often in more formal situations.

"That said" could refer to either one single sentence or a lot of sentences.

For example: Let's say you're planning to make a contract with someone. During your conversation, you list of all of your requirements. When you've finished saying what the requirements are, then you might say "That said, we might be able to accept less if the price is right."

Amy
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Tom]

Thanks to all.

Tom

[Timtak]

I would like to adjust Amy's "what you are now going to say goes off in a slightly different direction," to suggest that "that said" generally introduces a concession or contradiction to that which has been said previously, as in the example that Amy gave.

E.g. enlarging upon Amy's example, in the case where someone is phoning a hotel to book a room.

I am need a room with a colour television, a fridge and airconditioning. That said, I could do without all three if the price is right.

The second sentence, following "that said," contracticts the first sentence. In that sense, "That said" is similar to "but."

I see that this has been discussed before. And co-founter Alan from the UK, supports the notion that "that said" does not infer a concession. I agree with Awatef alaa.

[Haihao]

[Yankee]

[Timtak]

[Haihao]

DOUMO, TIMTAK SAN. YOROSHIKU! SHIKASHI, "that is influenced my choice of nickname" WA DAMEDESHOU? "that has..." DESUYO. - UMI

[Timtak]

Sorry, I did not mean to write "is." "Has" mo dame kamoshiremasen. Kakokei desuyo, Umi?

Some more examples:
1) We are in the middle of the rainy season. That said, there has been surprsingly little rain this year.
2) We are in the middle of the rainy season. That said, it has been raining every day.

(1) Is natural, but (2) is not natural since the second sentenece does not contradict the first sentence.

[Haihao]

Soudesu. Nai hou ga ichiban ii desuyo. And I think you are right about (1) and (2) except for the fact that we have too much rainfall this year! (I'm kidding)