Transitional 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 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 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 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 conditions 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 inasmuch as due to
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 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 side
on the negative side with this in mind notably including like to be sure
namely chiefly truly indeed certainly surely such as especially explicitly
specifically expressly surprisingly frequently significantly particularly in fact
in general in particular in detail for example for instance to demonstrate
to emphasize to repeat to clarify to explain
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 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 category 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 defining time. 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 timein 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
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
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 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 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 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 conditions 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 inasmuch as due to
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 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 side
on the negative side with this in mind notably including like to be sure
namely chiefly truly indeed certainly surely such as especially explicitly
specifically expressly surprisingly frequently significantly particularly in fact
in general in particular in detail for example for instance to demonstrate
to emphasize to repeat to clarify to explain
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 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 category 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 defining time. 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 timein 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
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