TRANSITION WORDS
To improve your writing you need to make sure that your ideas, both in sentences and
paragraphs, stick together or have coherence and that the gap between ideas is bridged
smoothly. One way to do this is by using transitions - words or phrases or techniques that
help bring two ideas together. Transitional words and phrases represent one way of
gaining coherence. Certain words help continue an idea, indicate a shift of though or
contrast, or sum up a conclusion. Check the following list of words to find those that will
pull your sentences and paragraphs together.
Opening
admittedly
assuredly
certainly
granted
no doubt
nobody denies
obviously
of course
to be sure
true
undoubtedly
unquestionably
generally
speaking
in general
at this level
in this situation
Sequence
first... second...
third...
generally...
furthermore...
finally
in the first place...
also... lastly
in the first place...
pursuing this
further... finally
to be sure...
additionally... lastly
in the first place...
just in the same
way... finally
Additional Evidence
consequently
clearly, then
furthermore
additionally
and
in addition
moreover
because
besides that
in the same way
following this
further
also
pursuing this
further
in the light of
the... it is easy to see
Conclusion
therefore
this
hence
in final analysis
in conclusion
in final
consideration
indeed, finally,
lastly
Contrast
however
on the other hand
but
yet
nevertheless
on the contrary
Sequence or time
after
afterwards
as soon as
at first
at last
before
before long
finally
first... second...
third
in the first place
in the meantime
later, then
meanwhile
next, soon
LOGICAL RELATIONSHIP
TRANSITIONAL EXPRESSION
Similarity also, in the same way, just as ... so too,
likewise, similarly, comparatively, coupled
with, correspondingly, identically,
likewise, similar, moreover, together with
as a rule, as usual, for the most part,
generally, generally speaking, ordinarily,
usually
Exception/Contrast but, however, in spite of, on the one hand
... on the other hand, nevertheless,
nonetheless, notwithstanding, in contrast,
on the contrary, still, yet, aside from,
barring, besides, except, excepting,
excluding, exclusive of, other than,
outside of, save, by the same token,
conversely, instead, likewise,
on the contrary, rather
Sequence/Order first, second, third, ... next, then, finally, at
first, first of all, to begin with, in the first
place, with this in mind,
Time after, afterward, at last, before, currently,
during, earlier, immediately, later,
meanwhile, now, recently, simultaneously,
subsequently, then, at the same time,
for now, for the time being, the next step,
in time, in turn, later on, next, then, soon,
the meantime, while,
Example for example, for instance, namely,
specifically, to illustrate, chiefly,
especially, in particular, markedly,
particularly, including, such as
Emphasis even, indeed, in fact, of course, truly
Place/Position above, adjacent, below, beyond, here, in
front, in back, nearby, there, here, there,
over there, beyond, nearly, opposite, under,
to the left, to the right, in the distance
Cause and Effect accordingly, consequently, hence, so,
therefore, thus, as a result, for this reason,
for this purpose, hence, otherwise, so then,
subsequently, thereupon, wherefore
Additional Support or Evidence additionally, again, also, and, as well,
besides, equally important, further,
furthermore, in addition, moreover, then, as
well as, , coupled with, in addition,
likewise, similarly, in essence, in other
words, namely, that is, that is to say,
in short, in brief, to put it differently
Conclusion/Summary finally, in a word, in brief, in conclusion, in
the end, in the final analysis, on the whole,
thus, to conclude, to summarize, in sum, in
summary, after all, all in all, all things
considered, briefly, by and large, in any
case, in any event, in short, in the final
analysis, in the long run, on balance, to
sum up
Transition Words
Words that can be used to
Word that can be used to
Words that can be used to
show location:
compare two things:
show time:
above
likewise
while
behind
also
first
by
while
meanwhile
near
in the same way
soon
throughout
like
then
across
as
after
below
similarly
second
down
Words that can be used to
today
off
contrast two things:
later
to the right
but
next
against
still
at
beneath
although
third
in back of
on the other hand
tomorrow
onto
however
afterward
under
yet
as soon as
along
otherwise
before
beside
even though
now
in front of
next week
on top of
about
among
when suddenly
between
during
inside
until
outside
yesterday
around
finally
beyond
into
over
Words that can be used to
Words that can be used to
Words that can be used to
emphasize a point:
add information
conclude or summarize:
again
again
finally
truly
another
as a result
especially
for instance
to sum up
for this reason
for example
in conclusion
to repeat
in fact
to emphasize
also
and
moreover
additionally
as well
besides
along with
other
next
finally
in addition
Words that can be used to
clarify
that is
for instance
in other words
lastly
therefore
all in all
because