@ Siddharth Group, Puttur

Transition Words & Phrases

As a "part of speech" transition words are used to link words, phrases or sentences. They help
the reader to progress from one idea (expressed by the author) to the next idea. Thus, they help
to build up coherent relationships within the text.

Below is a list of commonly used English transition words. English transition words are
essential, since they not only connect ideas, but also can introduce a certain shift, contrast or
opposition, emphasis or agreement, purpose, result or conclusion, etc. in the line of argument.

Agreement / Addition/ Similarity

The transition words like also, in addition, and, likewise, add information, reinforce ideas,
and express agreement with preceding material.

in the first place again moreover

not only ... but also to as well as
as a matter of fact and together with
in like manner also of course
in addition then likewise
coupled with equally comparatively
in the same fashion / way identically correspondingly
first, second, third uniquely similarly
in the light of like furthermore
not to mention as additionally
to say nothing of too
equally important
by the same token

Opposition / Limitation / Contradiction

Transition phrases like but, rather and or, express that there is evidence to the contrary or
point out alternatives, and thus introduce a change the line of reasoning (contrast).

although this may be true but although

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

Transition Words & Phrases Page 1

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Cause / Condition / Purpose

These transitional phrases present specific conditions or intentions.

in the event that If in case

granted (that) ... then provided that
as / so long as unless given that
on (the) condition (that) only / even if
for the purpose of when so that
with this intention whenever so as to
with this in mind while owing to
in the hope that inasmuch as
to the end that because of due to
for fear that as
in order to since
seeing / being that while
in view of lest

Examples / Support / Emphasis

These transitional devices (like especially) are used to introduce examples as support, to
indicate importance or as an illustration so that an idea is cued to the reader.

in other words notably in fact

to put it differently including in general
for one thing like in particular
as an illustration to be sure in detail
in this case namely for example
for this reason chiefly for instance
to put it another way truly to demonstrate
that is to say indeed to emphasize
with attention to certainly to repeat
by all means surely to clarify
markedly to explain
such as to enumerate

important to realize especially

another key point explicitly
first thing to remember specifically
most compelling evidence expressly
must be remembered surprisingly
point often overlooked frequently
to point out significantly
on the positive side particularly
on the negative side
with this in mind

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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 a consequence or an
effect.

Note that for and because are placed before the cause/reason. The other devices are placed
before the consequences or effects.

as a result for consequently

under those circumstances thus therefore
in that case because the thereupon
for this reason then forthwith
in effect hence 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
category can be used to summarize.

as can be seen after all by and large

generally speaking in fact to sum up
in the final analysis in summary on the whole
all things considered in conclusion in any event
as shown above in short in either case
in the long run in brief all in all
given these points in essence
as has been noted to summarize Obviously
in a word on balance Ultimately
for the most part altogether Definitely
overall
ordinarily
usually

Time / Chronology / Sequence

These transitional words (like finally) have the function of limiting, restricting, and defining
time. They can be used either alone or as part of adverbial expressions.

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. Further is also used to indicate added space as well as added
time.

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@ Siddharth Group, Puttur
at the present time after henceforth
from time to time later whenever
sooner or later last eventually
at the same time until meanwhile
up to the present time till further
to begin with since during
in due time then in time
as soon as before prior to
as long as hence forthwith
in the meantime since straightaway
in a moment when
without delay once by the time
in the first place about whenever
all of a sudden next
at this instant now until now
first, second now that

immediately formerly instantly

quickly suddenly presently
finally shortly 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. Further 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 Time category and
can be used to describe spatial order or spatial reference.

in the middle here further

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

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