Transitional Words and Phrases
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Overview:
In order for your writing to be coherent, it must flow smoothly from one point to the next. One way to ensure that your reader can move smoothly between sentences and paragraphs is through the use of transitions.
Transitions are words and short phrases that help guide your reader through your writing. They allow for smooth progression from sentence to sentence and paragraph to paragraph and help your reader make certain connections between ideas. For example, beginning a sentence with however alerts the reader that the upcoming sentence will somehow contrast with the previous one. On the other hand, in addition informs the reader that you’re adding another fact or idea to the topic being discussed. Notice that, in the previous sentences, the transitions for example and on the other hand were used to show a specific case and a contrast between ideas.
Here is a list of transitional terms:
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To show addition or another fact again also and and then another besides but also equally important finally first further furthermore in addition in fact last lastly likewise moreover next nor plus the fact that secondly then too thirdly too |
To show contrast or change in idea although anyhow anyway at the same time but despite this even though for all that however in any event in contrast instead nevertheless notwithstanding on the contrary on the other hand otherwise still yet
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To show place above across adjacent to below beneath beside between beyond farther here nearby nearer on the opposite side opposite to over there under
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To show time after a few days afterward at last at length before between finally immediately in the meantime later meanwhile next soon then while
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To show summary or repetition as has been noted as I have said finally in brief in closing in conclusion in essence in other words in short in summary on the whole to conclude to sum up |
To show a specific case a few of these are especially for example for instance in particular let us consider an example the following you can see this in the case of
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To show amount few greater many more than most over under several smaller some
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To show result accordingly as a result because consequently for this reason hence so then therefore thereupon thus
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To show comparison in like manner in the same way likewise similarly
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To show purpose all things considered for this purpose to this end with this in mind with this object |
To strengthen a point basically essentially indeed truly undeniably |
To concede a point although though whereas without a doubt without any question |
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To return to your point after conceding still nevertheless notwithstanding
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To recognize a point off your main point of course no doubt doubtless to be sure granted (that) certainly |
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Style Matters:
Using transitional terms will help you to guide your reader through your writing. However, remember not to overuse them. While it is essential to use some transitional terms, your writing itself should be unified enough so that transitional terms are not necessary for every sentence, and using them in nearly every sentence can make your writing muddled and unnecessarily wordy. With this in mind, try looking at a piece of your writing and circling the transitional terms using the chart above. Think about whether the terms you’ve chosen are appropriate for the situation and writing task. Also, consider whether you should use more or fewer transitional terms. Try to vary the transitional terms that you use to keep your reader interested while ensuring that your writing flows.
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- This handout is part of a library of instructional materials used in California State University, Long Beach’s writing center, the Writer’s Resource Lab. Educators and students are welcome to distribute copies as long as they do so with attribution to all organizations and authors. Commercial distribution is prohibited.