Guide 167 / 200 4 alternatives 2-minute read
Better ways to say “all things considered”
A hedge that promises a full accounting and rarely delivers.
i · Why avoid itTwo lines, no filler
The phrase claims panorama without giving any. In practice it prefaces a summary judgment the writer wants exempt from challenge. Say what you weighed, or just say "overall."
ii · Before & afterDrop-in demo
Before
All things considered, the launch was a success.
After
Weighing uptime, adoption, and support volume, the launch was a success.
iii · The alternatives4 ways out
- 01Overall neutral
plain summary
Overall, the launch was a success.
- 02On balance neutral
two-sided weighing
On balance, the launch was a success.
- 03Weighing X and Y neutral
show the scales
Weighing uptime and adoption, the launch was a success.
- 04Net-net informal
bottom-line in memos
Net-net, the launch was a success.
iv · Brew tipKeep this one
If you can't list the things considered, you haven't considered them.