Transitional Words

ENG 1011
(ChMR)
Jake woke up late. He threw on his clothes. His socks didn’t match. He got to class. He
realized he had no notebook. He pretended to write. The professor stared at him. Jake
accidentally grabbed a can of cat food from his dorm shelf. His friends laughed loudly. They
found it hilarious. Jake gave up and stole fries from their trays. His phone rang. Everyone
glared at him. “Hi, Mom,” he whispered. Back in the dorm he discovered his blanket was
missing. Jake gave up and decided to sleep without a blanket.
Jake woke up late, so he threw on his clothes. Unfortunately, his socks didn’t match. When
he got to class, he realized he had no notebook. As a result, he pretended to write. However,
the professor stared at him. During lunch, Jake accidentally grabbed a can of cat food from
his dorm shelf. His friends laughed loudly because they found it hilarious. Eventually, Jake
gave up and stole fries from their trays. Later in class, his phone rang. Consequently,
everyone glared at him. “Hi, Mom,” he whispered. Back in the dorm, he discovered his
blanket was missing. Finally, Jake gave up on the day and decided to sleep without a blanket.
 And, Moreover, Since, Because, Not only..but also
1. She likes to cook , _____________ she likes to clean.
2. She likes to cook _____________ clean.
3. _____________ she likes to cook , she aims to be a chef.
4. She aims to be a chef _____________ she likes to cook.
5. She likes to cook ; _____________ , she wants to be a chef.
6. She likes to cook ; _____________ she wants to be a chef.
7. She likes to cook . _____________ , she wants to be a chef.
8. She likes to cook . _____________ she wants to be a chef.
9. She , _____________ , likes to cook.
10. She _____________ likes to cook _____________ clean.
Transitional Words:
Transition words are words that help writing move smoothly from one topic to another
without confusing the reader. They show the relationships between ideas, emphasizes
key points. They help readers follow the writer’s train of thought and understand how
sentences and paragraphs are connected.

1. Joining Words / Coordinating Conjunctions

2. Subordinating Conjunctions / Dependent words
3. Adverbial Conjunction
Sentence = Subject + Verb + Complete thought
Independent clause
- An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence.
- It has both a subject and a verb and forms a complete thought

Dependent clause / Subordinate clause

- A sentence starting with a dependent word cannot stand alone.
- They must be attached to an independent sentence that makes sense without any help.
 Independent clause

Dependent clause
Joining Words / Coordinating Conjunction

English has seven coordinating conjunctions :

1. And - Connects equal and similar ideas

2. But- Connects equal but different ideas
3. For - Connects a reason to a result
4. Or - Connects two equal choices
5. Nor - Connects two negative ideas
6. So - Connects a result to a reason
7. Yet - Connects equal and contrasting ideas
When a coordinating conjunction joins two independent clauses (complete thoughts or
sentences), use a comma between the clauses.

● I can’t remember the rules, so I need a refresher.

Independent Sentence + , + Joining Words + Independent Sentence

When you’re joining an independent clause and a dependent clause (incomplete thought), you
don’t need a comma.

● I prefer to write on my laptop but edit on paper.

Dependent Sentence + Joining Words + Independent Sentence

Independent Sentence + Joining Words + Dependent Sentence

and, but, for, or, so, yet, nor

1. We developed our thesis outline early, __________ we needed to plan ahead.

2. I am contacting our stakeholders, ___________ Chris is writing the initial report.
3. The first test did not yield significant results, _____________ did it contribute to the study.
4. Chris and I faced an initial setback, __________ we determined an alternative method.
5. I could conduct surveys, _________ I could gather the qualitative data.
6. This was a challenging new approach, ____________ we persevered.
7. Our methods took a different direction, ___________ we met with our advisory team.
and, but, for, or, so, yet, nor

1. We developed our thesis outline early, for we needed to plan ahead.

2. I am contacting our stakeholders, and Chris is writing the initial report.
3. The first test did not yield significant results, nor did it contribute to the study.
4. Chris and I faced an initial setback, but we determined an alternative method.
5. I could conduct surveys, or I could gather the qualitative data.
6. This was a challenging new approach, yet we persevered.
7. Our methods took a different direction, so we met with our advisory team.
Subordinating conjunctions / Dependent words
A subordinating conjunction is a word or phrase that links a dependent clause to an independent
clause.

When the subordinating conjunction appears in the beginning of a complex sentence, a comma is
used after the dependent clause but not the subordinating conjunction itself.

● As he stopped drinking coffee , he began sleeping better at night.

Subordinating conjunctions + Dependent clause + , + Independent clause

When a subordinating conjunction is used in the middle of a sentence, there is no need for a comma
to be used.

● He began sleeping better at night as he stopped drinking coffee.

Independent clause + Subordinating conjunctions + Dependent clause
✔He stopped drinking coffee . He began sleeping better at night.
Independent clause Independent clause

Since he stopped drinking coffee . He began sleeping better at night.

Dependent clause Independent clause

✔ Since he stopped drinking coffee , he began sleeping better at night.

Dependent clause Independent clause

He began sleeping better at night . Since he stopped drinking coffee.

Independent clause Dependent clause

✔ He began sleeping better at night since he stopped drinking coffee.

Inependent clause Dependent clause
 Dependent words / Subordinating conjunctions

Cause-and-effect relationship :
As, since, though, due to, provided that, because of, unless.

Transition of time or place :

once, while, when, whenever, where, wherever, before, after

Common subordinating conjunctions :

After, although Once, only, only if
As, as if, as long as, as much as, as soon as, as though Provided that
Because, before, by the time Since, supposing
Even if, even though, Than, that, though, till
If, in case, in order that, in the event that Unless, until
Lest When, whenever, where, whereas, wherever,
Now that whether or not, while
 If, while, when, since, as soon as, even though, unless, though, before, after

1. __________ Deepa reached home, she called to let me know .

2. __________ she had paid all the bills, the system showed that she had some due payments to be done.

3. _________ you do not find it interesting, it is okay.

4. _________ I was walking across the street, I saw that the shops were closed.

5. _________ she finishes the work given, she cannot go home.

6. __________ you make a decision, just take a second opinion.

7. __________ he was tired, he agreed to help me out.

8. She knew that there was a nationwide lockdown today _____ I told her about it.

9. _________ you are done with it, let me know.

10. I think this place will not feel the same ever again _______ they demolished the football gallery.
1. As soon as

2. Even though

3. If

4. While

5. Unless

6. Before

7. Though

8. after

9. When

10. since
Adverbial Conjunction :

An adverbial conjunction is a transition word or phrase that connects two independent clauses.
When you use a transitional word or phrase at the beginning of a sentence, place a comma after that word or phrase.

- I like to read. In particular , books about the African continent arouse my curiosity.

When you use a transitional word to connect two complete sentences, place a semicolon at the end of the first sentence
followed by the transition word at the beginning of the second sentence with a comma after the transition word.

- I have always had a deep interest in Africa; therefore, it is not surprising that my personal library contains over five
hundred volumes with an African theme.

When you use a transitional word or phrase in the middle of a clause, place a comma before it and after it.

- Several rare volumes of my African collection were damaged in a storm many years ago. I have managed,
nevertheless, to locate replacements for most of them.

When you use correlative conjunctions (a word that is paired with another word to connect two parts of a sentence: either …
or; both … and; not only … but also. ), and you are connecting words or phrases, do not place a comma before the second
part of the conjunction.

- Out of Africa is not only a superbly written book but also a breathtakingly spectacular movie.
● Contrast - However, Instead, Rather, In spite of, Besides, Anyway, Nonetheless, Nevertheless, Meanwhile
● Add ideas - Also, Furthermore, Besides, Additionally, Moreover
● Comparison / Similar ideas - Similarly, Likewise, Alternatively
● Emphasize- Indeed, Certainly, Undoubtedly, Of course
● Cause and effect - Consequently, Otherwise, Accordingly, Then, Therefore, Thus, Finally, Hence
● Summary - Finally, All in all, In conclusion, Briefly
● Illustrate - For instance, For example, Namely
● Sequence - First, Next, In addition, Finally
● Time - Lately, Beforehand, Now