Changing your mind
Sometimes you make a decision or you think you know an answer and a short time later, you realize that you were wrong.
Here are ten things we can say or write in this situation.
Ten ways to say you have changed your mind
casual · neutral · formal
All of the phrases are used immediately before a sentence containing our new (revised ideas). are whole sentences and the other phrases are sentence adverbs.
- (Actually,) I've changed my mind.neutralActually, I've changed my mind. I'll have tea, not coffee.
- On second thoughts...neutralLet's take the bus. On second thoughts, let's walk.
- Come to think of it...neutralCome to think of it, I did see your phone in the kitchen.
- I've had a change of heart.neutralI didn't want a dog, but I've had a change of heart.
- Hang on a minute / a second.casualHang on a minute. That's not what I meant.
- I've had a bit of a rethink.casualI've had a bit of a rethink, and I'll study medicine after all.
- Did I really say that?casualDid I really say that? I must have been tired.
- What was I thinking?casualI bought a white car in Colombo. What was I thinking?
- On reflection...formalOn reflection, I think we should wait another year.
- After further consideration...formalAfter further consideration, we have decided to accept your offer.
How to use them
- is quite neutral in tone and can be used informally and formally.
- are quite informal. is nearly always used in speech while can be spoken or written.
- We say at the moment when we realize we were previously wrong. It is very informal and only ever used in spoken English.
- suggests that the speaker hasn't completely changed their previous ideas but has just altered them a little. But this phrase is sometimes used ironically to mean a total change of position.
- are quite informal and are used by the speaker to criticize their own previous (wrong) idea or decision.
- are more formal than the others and are usually used in writing. is especially useful for formal letters to explain why we no longer want to do something we previously.
Quick check
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A company writes to say it has changed its decision. Which phrase fits?
"I've had a change of heart" means:
Which phrase also says your earlier idea was silly?
See also: Giving your opinion
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