On the other hand

You usually start a new sentence with this phrase. You can also use it after a semicolon. It often follows a sentence that starts with On the one hand. However, it works perfectly fine all by itself too. Just make sure the second idea actually contrasts with the first. You wouldn't use it for things that are the same.

Use it when you are making a difficult choice. It is great for business meetings when discussing pros and cons. You can use it when texting friends about movie options. It is perfect for academic essays to show balanced thinking. Use it at a restaurant when you want the salad but also the fries.

Do not use it for simple lists of similar things. If you like apples and you also like pears, do not use it. Avoid using it more than once in a single paragraph. It can make your writing feel like a repetitive see-saw. Also, do not use it if the contrast is very weak.

This phrase comes from the physical act of weighing items. In Western culture, we value seeing "both sides" of an argument. It reflects a logical, balanced way of thinking and speaking. It became a staple of English rhetoric hundreds of years ago. It suggests the speaker is being fair and considering all facts.

You might hear people say Then again in casual chats. In formal writing, people sometimes use Conversely or In contrast. If you want to be very brief, just use Alternatively. Some people just say But then... when they are thinking out loud. All of these do a similar job of flipping the script.