Transitionals and

transitional expressions
LOGICAL RELATIONSHIP TRANSITIONAL EXPRESSION
Similarity also, in the same way, just as … so too, likewise, similarly
Exception/Contrast but, however, in spite of, on the one hand … on the other hand,
nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, in contrast, on the contrary,
still, yet
Sequence/Order first, second, third, … next, then, finally
Time after, afterward, at last, before, currently, during, earlier, immediately,
later, meanwhile, now, recently, simultaneously, subsequently, then
Example for example, for instance, namely, specifically, to illustrate
Emphasis even, indeed, in fact, of course, truly
Place/Position above, adjacent, below, beyond, here, in front, in back, nearby, there
Cause and Effect accordingly, consequently, hence, so, therefore, thus
Additional Support or additionally, again, also, and, as well, besides, equally important, further,
Evidence furthermore, in addition, moreover, then
Conclusion/Summary finally, in a word, in brief, briefly, in conclusion, in the end, in the final
analysis, on the whole, thus, to conclude, to summarize, in sum, to sum
up, in summary
• After that I will call you. (Ondan sonra)
• After the earthquake, many people left the cities.
• I will call you later. (Sonra)
• Later, she called me.
• Three weeks later she called.
• After three weeks she called.
Notwithstanding (prep, adv.)
• despite the fact or thing mentioned:

• Notwithstanding some members' objections, I think we must go ahead with

the plan.

• Injuries notwithstanding, the team won the semifinal.

Accordingly (adv)
• in a way that suits the situation:

• Surveys suggest that these shows are not what most people want to watch.
Accordingly (= Therefore), one network is now scheduling a made-for-TV
movie every Sunday night.
When a transitional expression appears at the beginning of a sentence or
within an independent clause, it is generally set off with commas.
• Meanwhile, we had little choice but to wait for him to make his decision.
(conjunctive adverb)
• As a result, the department made the following recommendations. (transitional
phrase)
• Many of our competitors, on the other hand, are reluctant to bid for the project.
• The first speaker, for example, was both professional and entertaining.
When a transitional expression links two independent clauses in a
compound sentence, it is preceded by a semicolon and usually set off
with commas.
• The first speaker was both professional and entertaining; nevertheless, the full
program was disappointing. (conjunctive adverb)
• The annual report was critical of budgetary spending; as a result, the
department made the following recommendations. (transitional phrase)
Depending on where you want to place the emphasis in communicating
the direction of your thoughts, you have some flexibility as a writer in
how to structure the sentences and in the placement of transitional
expressions either before or within a particular clause.

• It was a long and difficult journey; however, once we arrived, we were able to
relax and to enjoy ourselves.
• It was a long and difficult journey; once we arrived, however, we were able to
relax and to enjoy ourselves.
• It was a long and difficult journey. However, once we arrived, we were able to
relax and to enjoy ourselves.
• It was a long and difficult journey. Once we arrived, however, we were able to
relax and to enjoy ourselves.
Read the sentence carefully and select the correct answer choice.

1. We have a mouse in the house. Unfortunately/Therefore, we should

get a cat.
2. Megan got into a car accident. Furthermore/As a result, her
insurance rate increased.
3. Michael is very athletic and plays on the school basketball team.
However/In addition, his brother just stays at home and plays video
games all day.
4. There are many occupations today. Such as/For Example, you can
become a doctor, engineer, teacher, artist, athlete, musician, or chef,
just to name a few. (…today such as being a doctor, engineer….)
5. Hawaii is a beautiful place to live. In addition/ On the contrary,
Siberia is a very inhospitable location.
Invaluable- priceless
6. Polls show that Tony Blair is the most popular Prime Minister this
century. In particular/However/ For instance , there are even members
of his own party who are uneasy with his approach.

7. There are some slight variations in temperature. Consequently/

otherwise/ however , 26 to 27ºC should be expected.
8. The two main Channel Islands; for example / namely /in particular,
Jersey, and Guernsey are much closer to France than to England.

9. It was announced that nurses’ working hours would be increased by

25%. As a result /So that/ Likewise , even fewer trainee nurses are
expected to join the profession.

10. The Vice Chancellor explained that in light of the current financial
climate and because of unexpected bad debts, it would be necessary to
peg salary levels at their current level for all grades of staff.
Nevertheless/In other words/ Similarly , someone was getting a pay
rise.
Exercise 1
• A vegan can be defined as someone who does not eat meat, fish, or other animal
products, such as eggs or cheese; __ Instead /however/_______ , he or she eats
vegetables, fruits, grains, and seeds. __Because_______this diet consists of non-
meat food sources, a vegan typically consumes less fat and cholesterol than an
individual who consumes meat. _Furthermore________, raising animals for food
uses valuable land, water, and energy. ___ Consequently ______, adopting a
vegetarian diet helps conserve the valuable resources that our future depends on.

• Consequently
• Because
• Furthermore
• Instead
• For example
• Because it was raining.
• Because it was raining, we didn’t go on a picnic.
Exercise 2

• __ Although _____ many educators and parents have praised the Harry Potter series, some
Christian parents have called for a ban on the books in their schools and libraries. Some
churches have even gone as far as burning the books, citing biblical injunctions against
witchcraft, ____such as _____ those in Exodus and Leviticus. __However_______, some
Christians believe the books are compatible with Christianity, __Indeed_______, that they
embody basic Christian beliefs.

• However
• Although
• In addition
• Such as
• Indeed