Embedded Files
Transition Words
Agreement / Addition / Similarity
The transition words like also, in addition, and, likewise, add information, reinforce ideas, and express agreement with preceding material.
1. in the first place
2. not only ... but also
3. as a matter of fact
4. in like manner
5. in addition
6. coupled with
7. in the same fashion / way
8. first, second, third
9. in the light of
10. not to mention
11. to say nothing of
12. equally important
13. by the same token
14. again
15. to
16. and
17. also
18. then
19. equally
20. identically
21. uniquely
22. like
23. as
24. too
25. moreover
26. as well as
27. together with
28. of course
29. likewise
30. comparatively
31. correspondingly
32. similarly
33. furthermore
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).
1. although this may be true
2. in contrast
3. different from
4. of course ..., but
5. on the other hand
6. on the contrary
7. at the same time
8. in spite of
9. even so / though
10. be that as it may
11. then again
12. above all
13. in reality
14. after all
15. but
16. (and) still
17. unlike
18. or
19. (and) yet
20. while
21. albeit
22. besides
23. as much as
24. even though
25. although
26. instead
27. whereas
28. despite
29. conversely
30. otherwise
31. however
32. rather
33. nevertheless
34. nonetheless
35. regardless
36. notwithstanding
Cause / Condition / Purpose
Cause / Condition / Purpose
These transitional phrases present specific conditions or intentions.
1. granted (that)
2. as / so long as
3. on (the) condition (that)
4. for the purpose of
5. with this intention
6. with this in mind
7. in the hope that
8. to the end that
9. for fear that
10. in order to
11. seeing / being that
12. in view of
13. If
14. ... then
15. unless
16. when
17. whenever
18. while
19. because of
20. as
21. since
22. while
23. lest
24. in case
25. provided that
26. given that
27. only / even if
28. so that
29. so as to
30. owing to
31. inasmuch as
32. 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.
1. in other words
2. to put it differently
3. for one thing
4. as an illustration
5. in this case
6. for this reason
7. to put it another way
8. that is to say
9. with attention to
10. by all means
11. important to realize
12. another key point
13. first thing to remember
14. most compelling evidence
15. must be remembered
16. point often overlooked
17. to point out
18. on the positive side
19. on the negative side
20. with this in mind
21. notably
22. including
23. like
24. to be sure
25. namely
26. chiefly
27. truly
28. indeed
29. certainly
30. surely
31. markedly
32. such as
33. especially
34. explicitly
35. specifically
36. expressly
37. surprisingly
38. frequently
39. significantly
40. particularly
41. in fact
42. in general
43. in particular
44. in detail
45. for example
46. for instance
47. to demonstrate
48. to emphasize
49. to repeat
50. to clarify
51. to explain
52. to enumerate
Effect / Consequence / Result
Some of these transition words (thus, then, accordingly, consequently, therefore, henceforth) are time words that are used to show that 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.
1. as a result
2. in that case
3. for this reason
4. in effect
5. for
6. thus
7. because the
8. then
9. hence
10. consequently
11. therefore
12. thereupon
13. forthwith
14. accordingly
15. 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.
1. as can be seen
2. generally speaking
3. in the final analysis
4. all things considered
5. as shown above
6. in the long run
7. given these points
8. as has been noted
9. in a word
10. for the most part
11. after all
12. in fact
13. in summary
14. in conclusion
15. in short
16. in brief
17. in essence
18. to summarize
19. on balance
20. altogether
21. overall
22. ordinarily
23. usually
24. by and large
25. to sum up
26. on the whole
27. in any event
28. in either case
29. all in all
30. Obviously
31. Ultimately
32. Definitely
Time / Chronology / Sequence
These 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.
1. at the present time
2. from time to time
3. sooner or later
4. at the same time
5. up to the present time
6. to begin with
7. in due time
8. as soon as
9. as long as
10. in the meantime
11. in a moment
12. without delay
13. in the first place
14. all of a sudden
15. at this instant
16. first, second
17. immediately
18. quickly
19. finally
20. after
21. later
22. last
23. until
24. till
25. since
26. then
27. before
28. hence
29. since
30. when
31. once
32. about
33. next
34. now
35. formerly
36. suddenly
37. shortly
38. henceforth
39. whenever
40. eventually
41. meanwhile
42. further
43. during
44. in time
45. prior to
46. forthwith
47. straightaway
48. by the time
49. whenever
50. until now
51. now that
52. instantly
53. presently
54. occasionally
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.
1. in the middle
2. to the left/right
3. in front of
4. on this side
5. in the distance
6. here and there
7. in the foreground
8. in the background
9. in the center of
10. adjacent to
11. opposite to
12. here
13. there
14. next
15. where
16. from
17. over
18. near
19. above
20. below
21. down
22. up
23. under
24. further
25. beyond
26. nearby
27. wherever
28. around
29. between
30. before
31. alongside
32. amid
33. among
34. beneath
35. beside
36. behind
37. across
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