Word and Phrase

Transition Words and Phrases

Knowing the words and phrases below is useful for understanding transitions in news articles, academic texts, essays, and stories. Using transition words and phrases in written responses can help readers understand the organization of the writing and the connection between ideas.

PURPOSE
Sequence	again, also, and, and then, finally, first, second, third, next, still, too, and so forth, afterward, subsequently, finally, consequently, previously, before this, simultaneously, concurrently
To add	besides, equally important, finally, further, furthermore, nor, lastly, what’s more, moreover, in addition
To prove	because, for since, for the same reason, obviously, evidently, furthermore, moreover, besides, indeed, in fact, in addition, in any case, that is
To compare and contrast	whereas, but, yet, on the hand, however, nevertheless, on the contrary, by comparison, where compared to, up against, balanced against, vis a vis, but, although, conversely, meanwhile, after all, in contrast, although this may be true, still, though yet, despite, as opposed to
Time	immediately, thereafter, soon, after a few hours, finally, then, later, previously, formerly, first (second,etc.), next, and then, as long as, as soon as
Cause-and-effect	as a result, because, consequently, for this purpose, so, then, therefore, to this end
Emphasis	definitely, extremely, obviously, in fact, indeed, in any case, absolutely, positively, naturally, surprisingly, always, forever, perennially, eternally, never, emphatically, unquestionably, without a doubt, certainly, undeniably, without reservation
Exception	yet, still, however, nevertheless, in spite of, despite, of course, once in a while, sometimes
Examples	For example, for instance, in this case, in another case, on this occasion, in this situation, take the case of, to demonstrate, to illustrate, as an illustration, such as
To summarize and conclude	In brief, on the whole, summing up, to conclude, in conclusion, as I have shown, hence, therefore, accordingly, thus, as a result, consequently, as has been noted, as we have seen