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Transition Words & Phrases
Transition Words and Phrases
This structured list of commonly used English transition words — approximately 200, can be considered
as quasi complete. It can be used (by students and teachers alike) to find the right expression. English
transition words are essential, since they not only connect ideas, but also can introduce a certain shift,
contrast or opposition, emphasis or agreement, purpose, result or conclusion, etc. in the line of argument.
The transition words and phrases have been assigned only once to somewhat artificial categories,
although some words belong to more than one category.
There is some overlapping with preposition and postposition, but for the purpose of clarity and
completeness of this concise guide, I did not differentiate.
Agreement / Addition / Similarity
The transition words like also, in addition, and, likewise, add
information, reinforce ideas, and express agreement with preceding material.
in the first place
again
not only ... but also
to
as a matter of fact
and
in like manner
also
in addition
then
coupled with
equally
in the same fashion / way
identically
first, second, third
uniquely
in the light of
like
not to mention
as
to say nothing of
too
equally important
moreover
by the same token
as well as
together with
of course
likewise
comparatively
correspondingly
similarly
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Transition Words & Phrases
furthermore
additionally
Opposition / Limitation / Contradiction
Transition phrases like but, rather and or, express that there is evidence to
thecontrary or point out alternatives, and thus introduce a change the line of
reasoning (contrast).
although this may be true
but
in contrast
(and) still
different from
unlike
of course ..., but
or
on the other hand
(and) yet
on the contrary
while
at the same time
albeit
in spite of
besides
even so / though
as much as
be that as it may
even though
then again
although
above all
instead
in reality
whereas
after all
despite
conversely
otherwise
however
rather
nevertheless
nonetheless
regardless
notwithstanding
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Transition Words & Phrases
Cause / Condition / Purpose
These transitional phrases present specific conditions or intentions.
in the event that
If
granted (that)
... then
as / so long as
unless
on (the) condition (that)
for the purpose of
when
with this intention
whenever
with this in mind
while
in the hope that
to the end that
because of
for fear that
as
in order to
since
seeing / being that
while
in view of
lest
in case
provided that
given that
only / even if
so that
so as to
owing to
inasmuch as
due to
Examples / Support / Emphasis
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Transition Words & Phrases
These transitional devices (like especially) are used to introduce examples
assupport, to indicate importance or as an illustration so that an idea is cued to
the reader.
in other words
notably
to put it differently
including
for one thing
like
as an illustration
to be sure
in this case
namely
for this reason
chiefly
to put it another way
truly
that is to say
indeed
with attention to
certainly
by all means
surely
markedly
important to realize
especially
another key point
specifically
first thing to remember
expressively
most compelling evidence
surprisingly
must be remembered
frequently
point often overlooked
significantly
to point out
in fact
on the positive / negative
side
in general
with this in mind
in particular
in detail
for example
for instance
to demonstrate
to emphasize
to repeat
to clarify
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Transition Words & Phrases
to explain
to enumerate
such as
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.
as a result
for
under those circumstances
thus
in that case
because the
for this reason
then
in effect
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.
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Transition Words & Phrases
as can be seen
after all
generally speaking
in fact
in the final analysis
in summary
all things considered
in conclusion
as shown above
in short
in the long run
in brief
given these points
in essence
as has been noted
to summarize
in a word
on balance
for the most part
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
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.
at the present time
after
from time to time
later
sooner or later
last
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Transition Words & Phrases
at the same time
until
up to the present time
till
to begin with
since
in due time
then
as soon as
before
as long as
hence
in the meantime
since
in a moment
when
without delay
once
in the first place
about
all of a sudden
next
at this instant
now
first, second
immediately
formerly
quickly
suddenly
finally
shortly
henceforth
whenever
eventually
meanwhile
further
during
in time
prior to
forthwith
straightaway
by the time
whenever
until now
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Transition Words & Phrases
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 timein 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
theTime category and can be used to describe spatial order or spatial reference.
in the middle
here
to the left/right
there
in front of
next
on this side
where
in the distance
from
here and there
over
in the foreground
near
in the background
above
in the center of
below
down
adjacent to
up
opposite to
under
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Transition Words & Phrases
further
beyond
nearby
wherever
around
between
before
alongside
amid
among
beneath
beside
behind
across
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