Transition Phrases/Words

Transitional Words and Phrases

Transitional words and phrases can create powerful links between ideas in your paper and can help your reader understand the logic of your paper.

However, these words all have different meanings, nuances, and connotations.

Before using a particular transitional word in your paper, be sure you understand its meaning and usage completely and be sure that it's the right match for the logic in your paper.

Addition

furthermore

also

in addition

further

besides

second, secondly, etc.

moreover

in the second place

even more

last, lastly

and, or, nor

too

again

next

finally

first

Time

while

after

when

meanwhile

during

next

then

so far

immediately

later, earlier

soon

sometimes

afterwards

following

at length

this time

never

always

whenever

in the meantime

now, until now

once

simultaneously

subsequently

Place

here

beyond

adjacent to

there

wherever

neighboring on

nearby

opposite to

above, below

Exemplification or Illustration

to illustrate

for instance

for example

to demonstrate

as an illustration

specifically

e.g., (for example)

Comparison

in the same way

in like manner

by the same token

likewise

similarly

in similar fashion

Contrast

yet

nonetheless

however

on the contrary

on the other hand

and yet

after all

though

in contrast

at the same time

nevertheless

but

otherwise

notwithstanding

Clarification

that is to say

i.e., (that is)

to put it another way

in other words

to clarify

to explain

to rephrase it

Cause

  • because

  • since

  • on account of

  • for that reason

Effect

therefore

thus

consequently

hence

accordingly

as a result

Purpose

in order that

for this purpose

so that

to that end, to this end

Qualification

almost

never

perhaps

nearly

always

maybe

probably

frequently

although

Intensification

indeed

of course

without doubt

in fact

to repeat

doubtedly

yes, no

surely

by all means

certainly

undoubtedly

in fact

Concession

to be sure

granted

of course, it is true

Summary

to summarize

to sum up

in sum

in short

in brief

in summary

Conclusion

in conclusion

to conclude

finally

Demonstratives acting as transitions

this

that

those

these

Pronouns serving as links to clearly refer to a specific word or phrase

his

it

her

its

their

they

theirs

your

our