What are Transition Words?

Transition words are linking words that are used in content to connect sentences and ideas.

They assist the audience in moving from one idea to the next, forming a cohesive relationship within the document.

It is critical to ensure that the information provided in an essay is readable and understandable by the readers.

Explicit language, transition words, and phrases are employed for this purpose.

Furthermore, these words lay the groundwork for the following concept.

Transition words have the power to make or break an essay.

It is critical to remember that not every sentence in your essay requires a transitional phase.

Use it sparingly to avoid making your document confusing.

 

Types of Transitions Words

Transitional words between sections –

Transition paragraphs are used to summarize a specific section for readers when your document is lengthy. Furthermore, it connects the information that will be shared next.

Transition Between Paragraphs –

A transition between paragraphs occurs when two paragraphs are logically connected.

This connection summarizes the main point of the paragraph and connects it to the next idea in the other paragraph.

Transitions within paragraphs.

They serve as cues for readers, preparing them for what is to come.

They are usually short phrases or single words.

 

Below are the different categories of transitional words used in every essay, thesis, or dissertation

 

Transitional words for Sequence Or Order

1. Firstly… secondly… thirdly
2. After
3. Simultaneously
4. Next… then… finally
5. Later
6. In the first place… in the second place
7. Formerly… presently
8. Since
9. Once
10. To begin with
11. Sooner… later
12. As soon as
13. Shortly
14. By the time
15. Now that
16. Immediately following
17. Preceding
18. Afterward
19. Earlier
20. Both… and

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Transition Words for Similarity or Comparison

1. Also
2. In the same way
3. Just as
4. Likewise
5. Similarly
6. Equally important
7. Moreover
8. Furthermore
9. Comparatively
10. Additionally
11. Too
12. As
13. Like
14. In addition
15. Not only…but also

 

Transition Words for Contrast or Exception

1. But
2. Although
3. Instead
4. Whereas





5. Despite
6. In contrast
7. Different from
8. On the contrary
9. In spite of
10. Then again
11. In reality
12. Afterall
13. While
14. Besides
15. As much as

Transition Words for Purpose, Condition, or Cause

1. If
2. In case
3. Unless
4. Provided that
5. So as to
6. When
7. Whenever
8. With this in mind
9. For the purpose of
10. In the hope that
11. In view of
12. In order to
13. With this intention
14. Owing to
15. Even if

Transition Words for Example or Emphasis

1. In other words
2. Notably
3. In fact
4. By all means
5. Surely
6. To clarify
7. Such as
8. To explain
9. Including
10. In general
11. In detail
12. Truly
13. To demonstrate
14. As in illustration
15. To put it another way

Transition Words for Cause and Effect

1. As a result
2. In effect
3. For this reason
4. Thus
5. Because the
6. Then
7. Hence
8. Under those circumstances
9. Therefore
10. Henceforth
11. Accordingly
12. Thereupon
13. Consequently
14. So
15. Since

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Transition Words for Time or Sequence

1. At the present time
2. After
3. Whenever
4. To begin with
5. Since
6. Until
7. Meanwhile
8. In due time
9. As soon as
10. Prior to
11. In a moment
12. During
13. All of a sudden
14. As long as
15. Immediately

 

Transition Words for Space or Place

1. In the middle
2. There
3. Further
4. Here
5. Beyond
6. On this side
7. Next
8. In the distance
9. From
10. Around
11. In the background
12. Among
13. Beneath
14. Beside
15. Here and there

Transition Words for Conclusion, Clarification, Or Summary

1. In conclusion
2. To sum up
3. In summary
4. Finally
5. In a word
6. Briefly
7. In brief
8. In the end
9. To conclude
10. To summarize
11. On the whole
12. In other words
13. Altogether
14. In short
15. Ultimately
16. In a nutshell
17. After all
18. All things considered
19. In sum
20. Given these points
21. In either case
22. As shown above
23. To clarify
24. To put it another way
25. Actually
26. That is
27. To rephrase
28. With this in mind
29. On the subject of
30. Regarding
31. As for
32. Concerning
33. In consideration of
34. With regard to
35. Considering this result

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The Do & Don’t of using transitional words

Do

1. Add transitions only when introducing new ideas.
2. Go through the paper to make sure they make sense.
3. Start by creating an outline, so you know what ideas to share and how.
4. Use different transitions for each idea.

Don’t

1. Don’t overuse them.
2. Don’t keep adding transitions in the same paragraph.
3. Don’t completely rely on transitions to signal relationships.
4. Don’t incorporate it into your content without understanding its usage.