On the other hand

[chileno]

Context, uh!

[CrOtALiTo]

Then Poli's answer is the correct.

On one side por otro lado.

When I went to the park I bought a soda but on one side I prefer drink water.

[Chris]

Yes, saying "On the other hand..." is quite common. You don't have to say "On one hand blah blah" you can just be talking about blah blah and say "On the other hand." On one hand is implied.

EDIT: Sorry, didn't read the whole thread...

[JPablo]

There again...
However...
On the other hand...

You could say "on one hand" if you wanted, or not say it.
En resumidas cuentas: a gusto del consumidor... o del hablante... o escribiente.

Por otro lado, yo pude empezar mi post en inglés como lo hice, con todo el antecedente del thread, sin necesidad de de decir "on one hand" pues eso queda suplido por todo lo que se ha dicho antes.

Lo mismo ocurre cuando empiezo aquí con "por otro lado" en español.
Creo que el asunto queda más claro que el H2O.

[Rusty]

Saying 'on one side' and 'on the other side' may be regional substitutes for 'on one hand' and 'on the other hand', but I don't remember ever hearing those phrases used that way.

[CrOtALiTo]

For me, that slang works.
On ones side I can use it with many phrases, more when I need to speak in casual form.

When I need to speak with someone not all the you need to say in English is needed has that be in formal form.

However as you have said depending of the taste of the same user.
On one side is common the use, and the phrase gives more sense nature to the phrase.

[Chris]

I don't recall "on one side" being used to mean that. "Side" would imply location or loyalty I guess.

[poli]

That is right Chris and Rusty. We can say on one side of the argument but rarely just on one side as we can do in Spanish.

[irmamar]

OK, thank you everybody.

But now I'm confused with that "the" of on one hand/on the other hand. Are you sure that it is not compulsory?

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by irmamar

OK, thank you everybody.

But now I'm confused with that "the" of on one hand/on the other hand. Are you sure that it is not compulsory?

For what it is worth, I have never heard "on one hand", and sounds wrong to me. Not actually wrong, but not right. Using "on the one hand ... on the other hand ...." is never wrong. For me, the first 'the' is a balance and anticipates the second part of the construction. The bold is the stress in the sentence.

[irmamar]

Thank you, Perikles. So, it's better using "the".

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by irmamar

Thank you, Perikles. So, it's better using "the".

I think so, yes. At least it is never wrong.

[laepelba]

Remember that there are stylistic differences between British English and American English. If you're learning a more British English (which I believe is what is taught in Spain), then use the "the". I'm just saying that it sounds a bit strange to my ear to have "the" in the phrase. Not "wrong" ... just strange because we don't really use it like that.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by laepelba

Remember that there are stylistic differences between British English and American English.

What a diplomatic way of putting it.

[irmamar]

Originally Posted by Perikles

What a diplomatic way of putting it.