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Transitional Words

Transitional words and phrases provide unity and coherence. Writing that is coherent flows smoothly from one point to another, from one sentence to another, and from one paragraph to another. A transition is a two-way indicator of what has been said and what will be said. That is, it provides a means of linking ideas to clarify the relationship between them.

Choose the most precise transition for your sentence

1. To show addition

Examples:  for example, for instance, specifically, as an illustration, to illustrate, that is, generally, in particular, especially, as an example, in other words, that is to say

2. To show comparison

Examples: similarly, likewise, along the same lines, in the same vein/way, compared to x

3. To show contrast

Examples: but, yet, still, however, nevertheless, on the other hand, nonetheless, instead, conversely, even so, in spite of this/that, unlike x, after all, although this may be true, for all that, in contrast, in other circumstances, on the contrary, otherwise, still, certainly, of course, although, even though, whereas

4. To show conclusion

Examples: therefore, as a result, consequently, in conclusion, to conclude, in summary, to summarize, finally, in short, on the whole, in brief, in a word, all in all, indeed, in other words, in the end

5. To show time sequence

Example first/second/third, then, after that/afterward, soon/soon after, next, earlier, meanwhile, presently, finally  

6. To show cause and effect

Examples: thus, hence, as a consequence/result of x, for this reason, due to x, accordingly, for this purpose, inevitably, necessarily, that being the case, to this end, so, and so, for, since, because, so/such… that, now that, once, as…

Adapted from Writing That Works and Business Writer’s Handbook by Bruseau, Alred, and Oliu