Transition Words

Transition words present the writer’s thoughts in an orderly fashion. Because they do so many different jobs, transition words are divided into eight distinct categories.

Transition words that introduce, agree, and add on

One of the most common ways transition words are used is to introduce new ideas and add onto topics that have already been explored in the piece. Transition words and phrases in this category include:

coupled with
in addition (to)
further
furthermore
moreover
likewise
equally important
too
first
second
third
uniquely

Examples:

We have to consider the students’ needs, but the staff’s needs are equally important.
First, preheat the oven. Second, sift together all your dry ingredients.
The weather, coupled with the fast and loose itinerary, is the reason why I’m skipping the trip.

Transition words that oppose and limit

Transition words can also communicate opposition or limits to ideas and phrases. These words’ role is largely the opposite of the role played by the category above. Transition words that create opposition and limits include:

unlike
or
but
while
as much as
conversely
on the contrary
on the other hand
above all
notwithstanding
despite

Examples:

We managed to have a decent harvest despite the drought.
I went to the seminar expecting a long, boring presentation but on the contrary, it was engaging and a lot of fun!
While Shekani is a stickler for tradition, Mei gives every holiday party a new twist

Cause and conditional transition words

These transition words show how one action led to a specific effect or how one circumstance isconditional on another. This category also includes words and transition phrases that illustratethe relationship between an intention and an action.

Cause and conditional transition words include:

since
while
due to
in the event of
for fear of
because of
as long as
I hope that
unless
in case
whenever
so that

Examples:

As long as there are pets that need homes, I’ll keep volunteering at the shelter.
I brought extra socks in case we have to walk through puddles.

Effect and result transition words

Similar to the category above, these transition words demonstrate the result of a specific action. Here’s the difference between the two: When your sentence is focused on the cause of the effect, you’d use one of the transition words from the “Cause and conditional” category above. When the emphasis is on the effect itself, you would use a word from this “Effect and result” category that fits with the rest of your sentence.

For example, you might announce that you’ve postponed your barbecue by sending a group message that says, “Because of the weather, I postponed the barbecue.” But, you can communicate the same message with a slightly different focus by phrasing it as, “It’s raining, so consequently I’ve rescheduled the barbecue.”

Words and phrases in this category include:

in effect
as a result
then
because the
hence
under those circumstances
henceforth
consequently
therefore

Examples:

It’s very humid outside, hence the condensation on the window.
We stayed to see the whole show and consequently missed our train home.
Miguel forgot to add the yeast to his dough and as a result, the bread didn’t rise.

Transition words that describe examples and support

Other transition words make it clear that one concept supports another, either by providing evidence, emphasizing it, or simply being an example.

These words include:

explicitly
for this reason
indeed
markedly
in general
to clarify
in fact
especially
by all means
in other words
notably
particularly
significantly

Examples:

They had to slow down production, particularly of items with a low profit margin.
I love all kinds of pizza, especially stuffed-crust pizza.
The sequel’s tone was markedly different from the first movie’s tone.

Transition words for describing time

Another category of transition words deals with time, specifically when something happened or will happen in relation to another event.

These words include:

Presently
now
occasionally
once
after
in the meantime
in a moment
momentarily
after
at the present time
all of a sudden
every so often

Examples:

I was walking through the mall when all of a sudden, I recognized my long-lost sister standing in line to buy a pretzel.
I’d love to hang out at the coffee shop after work.
Don’t leave the lobby—we’ll be with you momentarily.

Transition words for locations

Transition words can also draw a reader’s attention to where something is located, or the physical or spatial relationship between two things. This can mean where someone or something is literally located, or they can be used figuratively, like “Dan’s auto body shop is above Rick’s when it comes to quality and attention to detail.”

These words include:

beside
over
where
in front of
behind
next to
under
beyond
amid
among
opposite
adjacent to
above
below

You’ll notice that many of these words can also function as prepositions in a sentence. They can also function as transition words that are part of adverbial clauses.

Examples:

In front of the house, my cousin was grilling hamburgers.
Among the students surveyed, more than half were excited to return to campus full-time.
Next to the garage, they found a parking spot

Conclusion and summary transition words

These are the transition words that bring paragraphs, arguments, and pieces of writing to a close. They can also be used to summarize and restate ideas.

These transition phrases and words include:

in summary
in conclusion
to conclude
in any event
in either case
overall
altogether
in essence
to summarize
to sum up

Examples:

There were some surprises, but overall we had a great time.
In conclusion, an upgraded security system isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity

Handout of above lesson