Agreement / Addition / Similarity

The transition
words like also, in
addition, and,
likewise, add
information, reinf
orce ideas,
and express
agreement with
preceding material.
in the first place
not only ... but
also
as a matter of
fact
in like manner
in addition
coupled with
in the same
fashion / way
first, second,
third
in the light of
not to mention
to say nothing of
equally
important
by the same
token
again
to
and
also
then
equally

identically
uniquely
like
as
too
moreover
as well as
together with
of course
likewise
comparatively
correspondingly
similarly
furthermore
additionally

Opposition / Limitation / Contradiction

Transition phrases
like but, rather an
d or, express that
there is evidence
to the contraryor
point
out alternatives,
and thus introduce
a change the line
of reasoning
(contrast).
although this
may be true
in contrast
different from

of course ..., but

on the other
hand
on the contrary
at the same time
in spite of
even so / though
be that as it may
then again
above all
in reality
after all
but
(and) still
unlike
or
(and) yet
while
albeit
besides
as much as
even though
although
instead
whereas
despite
conversely
otherwise
however
rather
nevertheless
nonetheless
regardless
notwithstanding

Cause / Condition / Purpose

These transitional
phrases present
specific condition
s or intentions.
in the event that
granted (that)
as / so long as
on (the)
condition (that)
for the purpose
of
with this
intention
with this in mind
in the hope that
to the end that
for fear that
in order to
seeing / being
that
in view of
If
... then
unless
when
whenever
while
because of

as
since
while
lest
in case
provided that
given that
only / even if
so that
so as to
owing to
inasmuch as
due to

Examples / Support / Emphasis

These transitional
devices
(like especially)
are used to
introduce
examples
as support, to
indicate importan
ce or as
an illustration so
that an idea is
cued to the reader.
in other words
to put it
differently
for one thing
as an illustration
in this case
for this reason

to put it another
way
that is to say
with attention to
by all means

important to
realize
another key
point
first thing to
remember
most compelling
evidence
must be
remembered
point often
overlooked
to point out
on the positive /
negative side
with this in mind
notably
including
like
to be sure
namely
chiefly
truly
indeed
certainly
surely
markedly
especially

specifically
expressively
surprisingly
frequently
significantly
in fact
in general
in particular
in detail
for example
for instance
to demonstrate
to emphasize
to repeat
to clarify
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
aconsequence or
an effect.

Note
that for and becau
se are placed
before the
cause/reason. The
other devices are
placed before the
consequences or
effects.
as a result
under those
circumstances
in that case
for this reason
in effect
for
thus
because the
then
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 cat
egory can be used
to summarize.
as can be seen
generally
speaking
in the final
analysis
all things
considered
as shown above
in the long run
given these
points
as has been
noted
in a word
for the most part
after all
in fact
in summary
in conclusion
in short
in brief
in essence
to summarize
on balance
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
definingtime. They
can be used either
alone or as part
of adverbial
expressions.
at the present
time
from time to
time
sooner or later
at the same time
up to the present
time
to begin with
in due time

as soon as
as long as
in the meantime
in a moment
without delay
in the first place
all of a sudden
at this instant
first, second
immediately
quickly
finally
after
later
last
until
till
since
then
before
hence
since
when
once
about
next
now

formerly
suddenly
shortly

henceforth
whenever
eventually
meanwhile
further
during
in time
prior to
forthwith
straightaway
by the time
whenever
until now
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 time in
expressing
conditions,
qualifications, or
reasons. The
numbers are also
used to add
information or list
examples. Furthe
r 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
the Timecategory
and can be used to
describe spatial
order or spatial
reference.
in the middle

to the left/right
in front of
on this side
in the distance
here and there
in the
foreground
in the
background
in the center of
adjacent to
opposite to
here
there
next
where
from
over
near
above
below
down
up
under
further
beyond
nearby
wherever
around
between
before
alongside
amid

among
beneath
beside
behind
across

List of Transition Words

Transition Words
are also
sometimes called

(or put in the

category of)
Connecting Words.
Please feel free
todownload them
via this link to the
category page:
Linking Words &
Connecting
Words as a PDF.
It contains all
the transition
words listed on
this site. The
image to the left
gives you an
impression how it
looks like.

Usage of Transition Words in Essays

Transition words
and phrases are
vital devices
for essays, papers
or other literary
compositions.
They improve the
connections and
transitions
between
sentences and
paragraphs. They
thus give the text a
logical
organization and
structure (see also:

a List of
Synonyms).
All
English transition
words and phrase
s (sometimes also
called 'conjunctive
adverbs') do the
same work
as coordinating
conjunctions:
they connect two
words, phrases or
clauses together
and thus the text is
easier to read and
the coherence is
improved.

Usage: transition
words are used
with a special rule
for punctuation: a
semicolon or a
period is used after
the first 'sentence',
and a comma is
almost always
used to set off the
transition word
from the second
'sentence'.
Example 1:
People use 43
muscles when they
frown; however,
they use only 28
muscles when they
smile.
Example 2:
However, transition

words can also be

placed at the
beginning of a new
paragraph or
sentence - not only
to indicate a step
forward in the
reasoning, but also
to relate the new
material to the
preceding thoughts.

Use a semicolon to
connect
sentences, only if
the group of words
on either side of
the semicolon is a
complete sentence
each (both must
have a subject and
a verb, and could
thus stand alone
as a complete
thought).

Further helpful
readings about
expressions,
writing and
grammar:
Compilation of
Writing Tips How
to write good
List of their hidden
meanings Scientifi
c Phrases
Correct
Spelling Study by

an English
University

Are you using

WORD for writing
professional texts
and essays? There
are many
easy Windows
Shortcuts availabl
e which work
(almost) systemwide.

Therefore
However
Moreover
Lastly
Next
Also
Furthermore
In addition to
Similarly
Likewise
Accordingly
Hence
Consequently
As a result
Thereby
Otherwise
Subsequently
Thus
So then
Wherefore
Generally

Usually
For the most part
As a rule
Ordinarily
Regularly
In particular
For instance
Particularly
Especially
Such as
Including
Namely
For example
As an example
In this case
Above all
Singularly
Likewise
Coupled with
Compared to
In comparison to
Together with
Besides
In brief
In short
In conclusion
In the meantime
Soon
Later
In the meanwhile
Afterward
Earlier
In summary
To summarize
Finally
Before
After
By the way
Incidentally
As a result of
Accidentally
Here
There
Over there

Opposite
Under
Beyond
In the distance
To the left
To the right

Purpose of Transition Words

Transition words help a written piece to flow more smoothly. Within these types of
words, your writing will become choppy. However, sometimes, when a writer is
advised to use a new type of device in his or her writing, that person will tend to start
sprinkling it in everywhere. Transition words should really fall very naturally
throughout a composition.
Let us take a look at examples of sentences without a transition words, and
then add a transition word in. You will be able to see how they work with the written
word. The first example in each set will be lacking a transition word, and the second
example in each set will have one.

Carla spent a long day working at the school and then cooking dinner for her family.
She got a large cup of coffee. vs. Carla spent a long day working at the school and then
cooking dinner for her family. Therefore, she got a large cup of coffee.
Jeffrey will be ready to leave for the trip in twenty minutes. Fill up the car with gas
please. vs. Jeffrey will be ready to leave for the trip in twenty minutes. In the meanwhile,
fill up the car with gas please.
The trip through the desert was extremely tiring for the crew. In the distance they saw
civilization. vs. The trip through the desert was extremely tiring for the crew. Finally, in
the distance, they saw civilization.
Paul did not run for the ice cream truck with the other children. He doesn't like ice
cream. vs. Paul did not run for the ice cream truck with the other children. Besides, he
doesn't like ice cream.

The second sentence in each of these pairs is grammatically correct. However, after
you read them over a few times, you will see how adding in a transition makes the
written word sound more sophisticated.