12 Other Ways to Say “After Careful Consideration”

When turning something down professionally, you need to sound polite and considerate.

But what is the best way to go about that?

If you’re trying to sound as professional as possible, it’s best to have some alternatives for “after careful consideration.”

Here are some of the best synonyms to help you mix things up:

• Having thoroughly reviewed
• After thoughtful evaluation
• Following careful examination
• With deliberate reflection
• Having given it careful thought
• After much thought
• After a thorough assessment
• With thoughtful deliberation
• After deliberate contemplation
• After weighing all the options
• Having taken everything into account
• After much consideration

Keep reading to learn what to say instead of “after careful consideration.” We recommend reviewing the examples as well to see how each one works.

1. Having Thoroughly Reviewed

Rejections are never easy to write. But that doesn’t mean you can’t try to sound as polite and respectful as possible.

That’s where “having thoroughly reviewed” comes in.

It’s good in formal emails. It’s polite and shows you’ve taken the time to look through something.

We recommend using it when deciding to end a contract with a client. It shows you no longer need their services and have thought long and hard about your next steps.

This sample email will also help you:

Dear Mr. Murray,

Having thoroughly reviewed the offer, we have decided not to continue with your company.

We wish you all the best,
Bradley Wiggins

2. After Thoughtful Evaluation

You can also use “after thoughtful evaluation” as another way to say “after careful consideration.”

It works well when writing a resignation letter. You can use it to show that you didn’t make the decision lightly but would appreciate it if an employer would let you go.

Generally, this works best when you have a good relationship with your employer. It shows you value their help and don’t want to leave their company, even though you have to.

Here’s a great example to show you how it works:

Dear Miss Firth,

After thoughtful evaluation, I am handing in my resignation. I will work my notice period, but then I’m moving on.

Yours,
Dean Church

3. Following Careful Examination

Another great way to write a resignation letter is with “following careful examination.”

If a company isn’t a good fit for you anymore, this phrase works well.

It’s formal and polite. It shows you’ve taken the time to think things through, but you can’t find any other way around it.

Sometimes, your best course of action is to resign and see what else awaits you. You never know what other opportunities might be out there!

Also, this email example will help you with it:

Dear Ms. Couzens,

Following careful examination, I have decided to resign. I’m afraid this company is no longer the best fit for me.

Yours,
Tom Dane

4. With Deliberate Reflection

You can decline a job offer with “with deliberate reflection.” There are countless reasons why you might need to decline an offer, but using this phrase keeps things respectful.

So, if you’re writing an email to a recruiter, it’s best to use a phrase like this.

It shows you value their offer, and you don’t want to reject it for no reason outright. However, it also shows that you’ve weighed your options and decided you have better choices.

Before you go, review this sample email:

Dear Mr. Smith,

I have decided to decline the offer. With deliberate reflection, I realized it was not the best option for me.

All the best,
George White

5. Having Given It Careful Thought

Sometimes, you have to break the bad news to someone. It might not be their fault, but that doesn’t make it any easier.

You can use “having given it careful thought” before delivering a rejection.

Try using it when emailing an applicant. It’s a great way to introduce yourself and let them know they’ve been unsuccessful.

Here’s a great example to help you with it:

Dear Alex,

I regret to inform you that we will not be taking your application further. Having given it careful thought, we simply have better applicants.

Best regards,
Jon Stevenson

6. After Much Thought

You can also use “after much thought” in professional emails. It’s a great way to replace “after careful consideration” when dealing with difficult news.

Try it when emailing your boss. For example, you can use it when you want to refuse a new task from your boss.

It might not be something you’re willing to take part in. The more direct and respectful you are, the easier it’ll be for your boss to understand (and to find someone else to do the job).

We also recommend reviewing this example:

Dear Mr. Tate,

Unfortunately, this task does not work for me. After much thought, I feel like you’d be better off giving it to someone else.

Best,
Jack Myles

7. After a Thorough Assessment

Feel free to use “after a thorough assessment” as another way to say “after careful consideration.”

It’s a great alternative that keeps things formal and direct.

We recommend trying it when turning down a vendor. It’s a great way to talk to clients who might be trying to get your business.

If you’re still stuck, review this example:

Dear Joanna,

While I appreciate the offer, I cannot accept it. After a thorough assessment, you are not the vendor we need to represent us.

Yours,
Blythe Stormling

8. With Thoughtful Deliberation

“With thoughtful deliberation” is another great formal alternative. It shows you’ve deliberated and considered all variables before moving forward.

Try using it when turning down an applicant. It keeps things direct and honest, showing that you cannot hire them.

You can also follow up the phrase with an explanation. It’s up to you to decide whether an explanation is necessary for the applicant in question.

Here’s a great example to help you understand it better:

Dear Hillary,

You raise a valid point. However, with thoughtful deliberation, we are going to have to go for a different applicant.

All the best,
Sam Woodrow

9. After Deliberate Contemplation

You will benefit from using a formal synonym like “after deliberate contemplation.” You can’t go wrong with it when writing an email to a recruiter.

For instance, you may want to refuse a job offer.

While the job might have seemed ideal at first, you may have changed your mind or gotten a better offer.

Whatever the case, you can refuse an offer by using a phrase like this. It’s honest and gets to the point, which will help a recruiter understand that you’ve changed your mind.

You can refer to this example if you’re still unsure:

Dear Martin,

After deliberate contemplation, I no longer believe this role is suitable for me. Therefore, I will have to turn down the offer.

Best wishes,
Stephen Anthony

10. After Weighing All the Options

Knowing exactly what you want requires weighing all your options. You have to consider every angle and include the pros and cons before moving forward.

Therefore, “after weighing all the options” is a great formal synonym for “after careful consideration.”

You can use it when emailing your business partner.

It shows you have to cancel your arrangement with them. It might be worth explaining your reasons, as you would have “weighed up your options” to come to that conclusion.

Perhaps this example will also help you:

Dear Hugh,

I regret to inform you that, after weighing all the options, I cannot find a way to continue our arrangement as is.

Yours,
Duncan Bannatyne

11. Having Taken Everything Into Account

“Having taken everything into account” means you’ve reviewed and decided on an outcome. It shows you’ve considered multiple variables before making any final choices.

Therefore, it’s a great alternative to use instead of “after careful consideration.”

It’s formal and respectful.

You can use it when emailing a client. You may need to use it when declining a business proposal.

It’s especially important to use a phrase like this if you’re looking to maintain a good relationship with your client.

After all, rejecting one proposal doesn’t mean you want to completely remove them as a client!

Here’s a great sample email to help you with it:

Dear Mr. Churchley,

Having taken everything into account, I’m going to have to refuse your offer. I hope this doesn’t sour our relationship, though.

All the best,
Jon Paulson

12. After Much Consideration

You don’t have to change much about the original phrase at all. In fact, switching “careful” to “much” is more than enough!

So, “after much consideration” is a great professional alternative to “after careful consideration.”

It shows you’ve weighed up every possible outcome and come to the best decision for you.

Try it when emailing your boss. It can work well when writing a resignation email and letting them know you’re done working for them.

You can also review this email example:

Dear Abigail,

I didn’t make this decision lightly. After much consideration, I decided it was time for me to resign from the firm.

Yours,
Hugh Laurent