TRANSITONAL WORDS AND PHRASES
Transitional words and phrases help connect ideas together in your writing; they
act as “little bridges” between one idea and the next. Transitions can make
your writing perfectly clear; they can signal to your reader that you are in a
particular time and place, that you are giving an example, showing a contrast,
“shifting gears,” beginning a new point or section of your paper, or concluding a
paragraph or entire composition. They are tough little words that can protect
you from inaccurate and unspecific writing.
Here are some commonly used transitions and their relationships:
Adding Ideas: I am majoring in naval architecture; furthermore, I spent
three years rowing with the crew team.
furthermore
likewise
too
moreover
besides
as well as
finally
equally important
lastly
in addition
again
in the same way
first
secondly
next
following this further
Explaining Location: Here is the switch that turns out the stage lights. To
the right is the switch that dims them.
beyond
inside/outside
over/under
nearby
to the left/right
adjacent to
next to
beneath/on top
opposite of
Stressing Results: Jack never did his homework; consequently, he failed for
the year.
consequently
therefore
hence
accordingly
thereupon
thus
Offering Examples: Opportunities for part-time jobs are everywhere; for
instance, Weis Markets has had three check-out openings for a month.
for example
for instance
namely
to illustrate
specifically
to wit
to demonstrate
Offering Further Explanation: She had a fantastic semester; that is, she
aced four courses!
in other words
in fact
put another way
simply stated
that is
or, one might say
Explaining Time: The crew will mow the field in the morning. Immediately
afterward, we will clean out the dugouts.
first
the next day
before
after
second
in the meantime
now
later
third
subsequently
soon
previously
then
meanwhile
at length
afterwards
next
in turn
immediately
finally
Summarizing or Concluding: Our credit is destroyed, our bank account is
overdrawn, and our debts are piling up. In short, we are broke.
to conclude
in closing
to sum up
to summarize
in brief
all in all
in summation
in all
overall
on the whole
in short
in conclusion
in retrospect
indeed
in any event
to close
in sum
consequently
therefore
as a result
as had been noted
Comparing Ideas: Our reservoir is drying up because of the drought; similarly,
water supplies in neighboring towns are dangerously low.
likewise
in the same way
in comparison
in like manner
similarly
in a similar fashion
at the same time
on the other hand
Contrasting Ideas: Felix worked hard. However, he received poor grades.
Although Cheryl worked hard, she was never promoted.
however
on the contrary
on the other hand
in contrast
notwithstanding
yet
otherwise
despite the above
still
nevertheless
although this may be true
at the same time on the contrary
conversely
Emphasizing: I knew the test would be a hard one. For this reason, I studied
extra hard.
again
indeed
for this reason
truly
to repeat
with this in mind
in fact
to emphasize
Transitional Chains: Use in separate paragraphs arranged in order.
first…second...third
in the first place…just in the same way…finally
in the first place…also…lastly
to be sure…additionally…lastly
generally…furthermore…finally
to begin…also…lastly