Transitions
What are transition words?
Transition words are used to connect ideas and show flow. They help readers move through complex ideas, establish relationships and connections between ideas as well. They are also important when you look at website rankings. Many search engine optimization programs recommend you use them to improve readability, which typically results in getting a better ranking in search engines like Google.
Conjunctions are the most basic of transitional words. They join words, phrases, or clauses together. Good examples are “and”, “but” also “or”.
- I drove to school, and I got there just in time.
- I drove home, but was still late for dinner.
As you can see in the examples above, the conjunctions serve different purposes.
- The first conjunctive “and” connects the two occurrences equally.
- The second conjunctive “but” introduces a contrast.
Knowing the different categories of transition words will also help you choose the best ones to get your point across.
WRITER’S HANDBOOK > IMPROVING YOUR WRITING STYLE > TRANSITIONAL WORDS AND PHRASES
Below is a list of transitional words you can use to guide your reader through your essays or stories.
Single Transition Words
accordingly, additionally, afterward, afterwards, albeit, also, although, altogether, another,
basically, because, before, besides, but, certainly, chiefly, comparatively, concurrently,
consequently, contrarily, conversely, correspondingly, despite, doubtedly, during, e.g.,
earlier, emphatically, equally, especially, eventually, evidently, explicitly, finally, firstly,
following, formerly, forthwith, fourthly, further, furthermore, generally, hence, henceforth,
however, i.e., identically, indeed, instead, last, lastly, later, lest, likewise, markedly, meanwhile,
moreover, nevertheless, nonetheless, nor, notwithstanding, obviously, occasionally, otherwise,
overall, particularly, presently, previously, rather, regardless, secondly, shortly, significantly,
similarly, simultaneously, since, so, soon, specifically, still, straightaway, subsequently, surely,
surprisingly, than, then, thereafter, therefore, thereupon, thirdly, though, thus, till, undeniably,
undoubtedly, unless, unlike, unquestionably, until, when, whenever, whereas, while…
Multiple Transition Word List
analogous to
(comparable in certain respects, typically in a way which makes clearer the nature of the things compared)
Above
above all
After
after all, after that
All
all in all, all of a sudden, all things considered
Although
although this may be true,
Another
another key point
As
as a matter of fact, as a result, as an illustration, as can be seen, as has been noted, as I have noted, as I have said, as I have shown, as long as, as much as, as shown above, as soon as, as well as,
At
at any rate, at first, at last, at least, at length, at the present time, at the same time, at this instant, at this point, at this time,
balanced against, being that, by all means, by and large,
by comparison, by the same token, by the time, compared to, be that as it may,
coupled with, different from, due to, equally important, even if, even more, even so,
even though, first thing to remember, for example, for fear that, for instance,
for one thing, for that reason, for the most part, for the purpose of, for the same reason,
for this purpose, for this reason, from time to time, given that, given these points,
important to realize,
In
in a word, in addition, in another case, in any case, in any event, in brief, in case, in conclusion, in contrast, in detail, in due time, in effect, in either case, in essence, in fact, in general, in light of, in like fashion, in like manner, in order that, in order to, in other words, in particular, in reality, in short, in similar fashion, in spite of, in sum, in summary, in that case, in the event that, in the final analysis, in the first place, in the fourth place, in the hope that, in the light of, in the long run, in the meantime, in the same fashion, in the same way, in the second place, in the third place, in this case, in this situation, in time, in truth, in view of, inasmuch as,
most compelling evidence, most important, must be remembered, not to mention,
now that, of course,
On
on account of, on balance, on condition that, on one hand, on the condition that, on the contrary, on the negative side, on the other hand, on the positive side, on the whole, on this occasion,
once, once in a while, only if, owing to, point often overlooked, prior to, provided that,
seeing that, so as to, so far, so long as, so that, sooner or later, such as,
summing up, take the case of, that is, that is to say, then again, this time,
To
to be sure, to begin with, to clarify, to conclude, to demonstrate, to emphasize, to enumerate, to explain, to illustrate, to list, to point out, to put it another way, to put it differently, to repeat, to rephrase it, to say nothing of, to sum up, to summarize, to that end, to the end that, to this end,
together with, under those circumstances, until now, up against,
up to the present time, vis a vis, what’s more, while it may be true, while this may be true,
With
with attention to, with the result that, with this in mind, with this intention, with this purpose in mind, without a doubt, without delay, without doubt, without reservation…
Reference
Michigan State University East Lansing (MI 48824. Fax: 517.353.5250 e-mail: jdowell @ msu.edu), accessed 26th March 2021,
<https://tech.msu.edu/about/guidelines-policies/afs-retirement/>.
The Andrew File System was unfortunatly retired.
Transition words, accessed 26th March 2021,
<https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/transitions/>.
Click to see other grammar points on this website here.
Transitions of Agreement / Addition / Similarity
Transition words like also, in addition, and, likewise, add information, reinforce ideas, and express agreement with preceding material.
in the first place
not only … but also
as a matter of fact
in like manner
in addition
coupled with
in the same fashion / way
first, second, third
in the light of
not to mention
to say nothing of
equally important
by the same token
again
to
and
also
then
equally
identically
uniquely
like
as
too
moreover
as well as
together with
of course
likewise
comparatively
correspondingly
similarly
furthermore
additionally
Transitions of Opposition / Limitation / Contradiction
Transition phrases like but, rather and or, express that there is evidence to the contrary or point out alternatives, and thus introduce a change the line of reasoning (contrast).
although this may be true
in contrast
different from
of course …, but
on the other hand
on the contrary
at the same time
in spite of
even so / though
be that as it may
then again
above all
in reality
after all
but
(and) still
unlike
or
(and) yet
while
albeit
besides
as much as
even though
although
instead
whereas
despite
conversely
otherwise
however
rather
nevertheless
nonetheless
regardless
notwithstanding
Transitions of Cause / Condition / Purpose
These transitional phrases present specific conditions or intentions.
in the event that
as
granted (that)
as / so long as
on (the) condition (that)
for the purpose of
with this intention
with this in mind
in the hope that
to the end that
for fear that
in order to
seeing / being that
in view of
If
… then
unless
when
whenever
because of
while
since
while
lest
in case
provided that
given that
only / even if
so that
so as to
owing to
inasmuch as
due to
Examples / Support / Emphasis
These transitional devices (like especially) are used to introduce examples as support, to indicate importance or as an illustration so that an idea is cued to the reader.
chiefly
in other words
to put it differently
for one thing
as an illustration
in this case
for this reason
to put it another way
that is to say
with attention to
by all means
important to realize
another key point
first thing to remember
most compelling evidence
must be remembered
point often overlooked
to point out
on the positive side
on the negative side
with this in mind
notably
including
like
to be sure
namely
expressly
truly
indeed
certainly
surely
markedly
especially
explicitly
specifically
such as
surprisingly
frequently
significantly
particularly
in fact
in general
in particular
in detail
for example
for instance
to demonstrate
to emphasize
to repeat
to clarify
to explain
to enumerate
Transitions of Effect / Consequence / Result
Some of these transition words (thus, then, accordingly, consequently, therefore, henceforth) are time words that show after a particular time there was a consequence or an effect.
Note that for and because are placed before the cause/reason. The other devices are placed before the consequences or effects.
as a result
under those circumstances
in that case
for this reason
in effect
for
thus
because the
then
hence
consequently
therefore
thereupon
forthwith
accordingly
henceforth
Conclusion / Summary / Restatement
These transition words and phrases conclude, summarize and / or restate ideas, or indicate a final general statement. Also some words (like therefore) from the Effect / Consequence category can be used to summarize.
as can be seen
generally speaking
in the final analysis
all things considered
as shown above
in the long run
given these points
as has been noted
in a word
for the most part
after all
in fact
in summary
in conclusion
in short
in brief
in essence
to summarize
on balance
altogether
overall
ordinarily
usually
by and large
to sum up
on the whole
in any event
in either case
all in all
Obviously
Ultimately
Definitely
Time / Chronology / Sequence
Transitional words (like finally) have the function of limiting, restricting, and defining time. They can be used either alone or as part of adverbial expressions.
at the present time
from time to time
sooner or later
at the same time
up to the present time
to begin with
in due time
as soon as
as long as
in the meantime
in a moment
without delay
in the first place
all of a sudden
at this instant
first, second
immediately
quickly
finally
after
later
last
until
till
since
then
before
hence
since
when
once
about
next
now
formerly
suddenly
shortly
henceforth
whenever
eventually
meanwhile
further
during
in time
prior to
forthwith
straightaway
by the time
whenever
until now
now that
instantly
presently
occasionally
Many transition words in the time category (consequently; first, second, third; further; hence; henceforth; since; then, when; and whenever) have other uses.
Except for the numbers (first, second, third) and further they add a meaning of time in expressing conditions, qualifications, or reasons. The numbers are also used to add information or list examples. Further is also used to indicate added space as well as added time.
Space / Location / Place
These transition words are often used as part of adverbial expressions and have the function to restrict, limit or qualify space. Quite a few of these are also found in the Time category and can be used to describe spatial order or spatial reference.
in the middle
to the left/right
in front of
on this side
in the distance
here and there
in the foreground
in the background
in the center of
adjacent to
opposite to
here
there
next
where
from
over
near
above
below
down
up
under
further
beyond
nearby
wherever
around
between
before
alongside
amid
among
beneath
beside
behind
across
Usage of Transition Words in Essays
Transition words and phrases are very important in essays, papers and other compositions. They improve the connections between sentences and paragraphs. They give the text a logical organization and structure.
All English transition words and phrases (sometimes also called ‘conjunctive adverbs’) do the same work as coordinating conjunctions: they connect words, phrases or clauses together and thus the text is easier to read and the coherence is improved.
Usage: transition words are used with a special rule for punctuation: a semicolon or a period is used after the first ‘sentence’, and a comma is almost always used to set off the transition word from the second ‘sentence’.
Example 1:
People use 43 muscles when they frown; however, they use only 28 muscles when they smile.
Example 2:
However, transition words can also be placed at the beginning of a new paragraph or sentence – not only to indicate a step forward in the reasoning, but also to relate the new material to the preceding thoughts.
Use a semicolon to connect complete sentences (both sentences must have a subject, a verb and be able to stand alone as a complete thought).
A Video About Transitions
Examples of structure, when writing content or essays. From the introduction to the conclusion.
