Transition Words

Using transitional words and phrases:

helps papers read smoothly

provides logical organization and

understandability

improves the connections and

transitions between thoughts

A coherent paper allows the reader to flow from the first supporting point to the last.

Transitions indicate relations, whether within a sentence, paragraph, or essay.

Transitional

Words or Phrases

Quick Guide

Be careful not to use too

many transition words.

Transitions are most

commonly used at the

beginning of a sentence.

Keep this reference handy

while you write, until the

words come to mind

automatically.

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English

TRANSITIONIONAL WORDS OR PHRASES

Generalizing:

as a rule

as usual

for the most part

generally

usually

ordinarily

Similarity of Comparison:

comparatively

correspondingly

in like fashion

Sequence:

first of all

to begin with

in the first place

Exemplifying:

for instance

in particular

particularly

including

specifically

such as

Consequence or Result:

so that

with the result that

thus

consequently

hence

accordingly

for this reason

therefore

Illustration:

thus

for example

for instance

namely

to illustrate

Emphasis:

above all

indeed

truly

of course

in addition

Conclusion or Summary:

therefore

finally

consequently

Remember: Use transition words to connect your ideas to make your essay clearer.

Use a comma after the transition word when beginning a sentence. Example: However, the similarities

are greater than the differences.

Addition:

and

last

again

moreover

besides

than

too

also

both-and

another

equally important

first, second, etc.

in addition to

in the same way

consequently

finally

not only-but also

as well as

further

for example

for instance

however

thus

therefore

otherwise

furthermore

so

because

since

due to

as a result

in other words

then

in particular

specifically

such as

for one thing

as an example

in this case

really

in truth

again

besides

also

furthermore

chiefly

especially

particularly

singularly

certainly

surely

in fact

in like manner

analogous

together with

to sum up

lastly

in conclusion

all in all

Details:

specifically

especially

in particular

namely

including

to explain

Suggestion:

for this purpose

to this end

in short

in conclusion

in brief

as a result

thus

with this in mind

therefore

likewise

moreover

identically

chiefly

especially

particularly

singularly

in other words

in particular

such as

to enumerate

in detail

to list

at the same time

meanwhile

however

Contrast:

however

nevertheless

on the other hand

at the same time

Time:

after

then

first, second,…

finally

meanwhile

subsequently

next

later

to begin with

usually

another

Concession:

although

even though

in spite of

still

of course

at least

Space:

below

above

at the top

Examples:

for example

for instance

to illustrate

thus

opposite

in the background

behind

across

under

beside

next to

under

in other words

as illustration

in particular