bridge transition essay

What Is a Bridge Sentence and How to Write a Transition in an Essay

• Icon Calendar 18 May 2024
• Icon Page 3028 words
• Icon Clock 14 min read

Bridge sentences are important in connecting two independent phrases, expressions, word combinations, or arguments in a paragraph or an essay. Basically, this guideline on how to write a good bridge sentence in an essay or a research article is worth reading because it entails practical ways to write connecting statements. Moreover, the article entails examples of various types of bridge statements, which mean linking phrases that provide concise information on how to ensure a proper flow of ideas in any paper using connecting statements. They allow writers to communicate effectively throughout their essays. The different types of bridge statements include topic, transitional, and concluding sentences with pointers. In this case, topic phrases introduce the main ideas in a passage, while transitional statements create a unique connection between ideas or thoughts. Besides, concluding sentences contain a clear flow of concepts and link them to other sections. However, one must select appropriate transitioning words to create appropriate bridge sentences.

General Aspects of How to Write an Outstanding Bridge Sentence in an Essay

Good essays must have a permanent quality to their content, with a unique flow of ideas and concepts. In this case, bridge sentences are useful in connecting two independent clauses, phrases, word combinations, statements, or claims. Hence, the guideline focuses on how to write a bridge sentence with its definition and meaning and provides clear examples that one can follow to create different types of essays. In turn, people should bother reading this guideline as it focuses on crucial aspects of creating various types of papers, reports, and articles. Because essays are central to advancing knowledge, one must use bridge sentences effectively to ensure effective communication.

Definition of a Bridge Sentence and Its Meaning

From a simple definition, a bridge sentence is a general term that refers to a set of phrases that link ideas and create a smooth transition between concepts in an essay or a research paper. Some examples of bridging phrases include topic, transitional, concluding statements, and pointers. In turn, a single essay or research paper may contain all these types of connecting phrases. Hence, a bridge sentence means many phrases that enable readers to relate all ideas presented in a paper because of an enhanced flow of information and logical order of ideas. A deeper explanation of different types of bridge sentences includes:

• Topic Sentence : Topic sentences reveal the main message explained in a single paragraph and its relationship to a central thesis statement. Every paragraph must begin with a single topic sentence that relates to an initial argument of a paper as a sub-theme. This bridge sentence must contain a single main concept discussed in the section.   
• Transitional Sentence: Transitional sentences create a smooth connection between ideas presented in one passage. A good paragraph in an essay should have a chronological and logical flow of ideas. These bridge sentences allow a sequential presentation of thoughts.     
• Concluding Sentence: Concluding sentences summarize information and provide a link between two paragraphs, such as a current passage and a next one. In this case, good paragraphs contain a clear summary of all presented ideas. A concluding statement should appear at the end of a single passage as a bridge sentence to tie all the thoughts together.    
• Pointer Sentence : Pointers are useful in clarifying the main claim by guiding readers through the structure and argument of an essay or a research paper. For example, pointers refer readers to the previous claim, paragraph, argument, or thesis statement. In this case, they allow the audience to relate concepts and gain better insights into the presented ideas.  

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Unique Features of Writing Bridge Sentences in Essays or Research Papers & Examples

Bridge sentences are different, with unique features. What comes after a hook in an essay introduction is a transitional word. For example, a scholarly article or an academic essay may have various connecting statements. Their features depend on the purpose and location within a particular passage. Besides, authors may choose linking phrases to invoke unique thoughts or create desirable emotions. The following are descriptions and examples of different bridge sentences. 

🔹 Transitional Sentences & Bridge Example

Transition sentences are unique because they show readers how different sections of an essay connect. Transition sentences are useful in linking the college essay introduction, body, and conclusion paragraphs to create a well-organized flow of information. Placing this bridge claim at the beginning of a new paragraph helps to link it to the previous one. An example of a transition sentence is:

Further evidence supporting the hypothesis is that psychological well-being promotes student performance due to increased concentration levels.

This sentence contains information that complements the previous paragraph by providing more support for the same concept.

🔹 Topic Sentences & Bridge Example

Topic sentences are unique because they indicate the paragraph’s subject and central point. Every paragraph in an essay must begin with a topic sentence. This opening statement in a paragraph may provide a connection between the main ideas and indicate how they connect to one of three themes of a 3-point thesis. Besides, this bridge sentence forms the foundation of the supporting evidence. An example of a topic sentence is:

Existing research has consistently shown that the meat industry is unsustainable due to its detrimental environmental impacts.

This phrase introduces the passage’s main point and focuses on the meat industry’s negative environmental impacts, like other thesis statement examples. The entire paragraph should expound on this issue by using and citing credible sources.

🔹 Concluding Sentences & Bridge Example

A concluding sentence is unique because it acts as an indicator that a specific paragraph is coming to an end. This bridge sentence contains a summary of the information presented in a section. However, a conclusion does not include any new information. A practical example of a concluding statement to end a paragraph in an essay is:

Evidently, the meat industry contributes to greenhouse emissions due to methane released from animal manure.

This assertion summarizes the facts presented in a single paragraph on how the meat industry affects the environment.  

🔹 Pointers & Bridge Example

Pointers refer to information that enables readers to understand a situation or a piece of information. These bridge statements work as topic sentences for entire sections of an essay or a research paper. In this case, they inform readers that a paper is taking a turn in its core argument. For instance, a pointer may indicate that the writer is delving into a related topic, like a counterargument, stepping up its claims with complex details, or pausing to give important historical or scholarly background. Moreover, these bridge sentences remind readers about what an essay is about and why it is written. An example of a pointer is:

For people to understand the causes of riots, it would be useful to apply sociological theories, like psychoanalytical social contagion.

This sentence points the readers to a change in the explanation strategy to include sociological theories to understand the main subject.  

🔹 Classical Bridge Sentences & Bridge Example

A classic bridge sentence is unique because it helps authors to point to previous paragraphs and introduce the topics for a new paragraph. This bridge statement is useful when writing texts with multiple passages having related information. An example of a classic bridge sentence structure is:

This advantage makes transformational leadership effective in promoting employee collaboration. However, besides enhancing communication and cooperation, it is important to mention that transformational leadership allows people to set goals and higher expectations, eventually achieving higher performances.

This phrase, which consists of two sentences, points to the previous paragraph by mentioning the advantage of transformational leadership. Furthermore, this bridge claim introduces the theme for the next passage by mentioning how this leadership style empowers employees to create achievable goals.

🔹 Question-Answer Sentences & Bridge Example

Question-answer bridge is unique because it points to the previous paragraph and introduces the main argument of the next passage. In this case, questions serve as the pointer to the previous section, and the answer connects and introduces the theme for the current passage. An example of a question-answer bridge sentence structure is:

But does transformational leadership promote employee collaboration? Surely yes, because this leadership enhances communication and cooperation among employees. When comparing transformational leadership to other management strategies, it allows people to set goals and higher expectations to achieve higher performances.

🔹 Reiteration Sentence & Bridge Example

A reiteration bridge sentence is unique because it allows writers to use repetition to transition between ideas. This type of bridge statement allows people to emphasize important concepts that the audience should acknowledge in an essay. For instance, a reiteration bridge sentence may involve the incorporation of opposite meanings. An example of a reiteration bridge is:

Demonstrations and picketing lead to unity and victory on the one hand and defeat and loss of life on the other.

This bridge sentence has phrases with contrasting meanings that point to the previous passage and provide a link to the current one. The first part points to the previous passage on the advantages of protests and strikes. The second part introduces the information presented in the current paragraph, which relates to the negative impacts of the dissent march.    

🔹 Complication Sentence & Bridge Example

A complication bridge sentence is unique since it contains a pointer, a transition word, a reference to a previous paragraph, and states the main point of the current paragraph. An example of this bridge sentence structure is:

Such advantages of transformational leadership encourage employees to cooperate in making important decisions; however, it is not as effective in democratic governance in enabling leaders to engage their subordinates in addressing emerging and existing issues.

This example has a pointer, “such,” as a bridge claim that refers to the previous paragraph. The transition word, “however,” signals to readers that transformational leadership is ineffective compared to other governance styles. Finally, it references the previous paragraph and states the main argument for the current passage that democratic leadership is better.

Schematic Examples for Writing Purposeful Bridge Sentences in an Essay

• Making an example: (The next idea) clearly illustrates / indicates / suggests / means / underlines that (the previous idea) by / in / from / on / with / within … (explanation).

Enhanced employee productivity clearly illustrates that management by walking around is better than autocratic governance because it enables leaders to identify and address problems.

• Showing a cause-effect relationship: (The previous idea) led to / results in / has allowed / improved / significantly impacted / directly caused / was the reason / (the next idea) … (explanation).

Implementing peer support to new employees improved department cooperation and innovation .

• Giving a counterexample: Even though / although / even if (the previous idea) is ‘describing the situation,’ (the next idea ) … (explanation).

Even though rewarding employees is the accepted way to enhance productivity, allowing them free time to work on interesting concepts promotes innovativeness and efficiency.

• Emphasizing a point: (The previous idea) is important / significant / crucial / essential / vital / or cannot be omitted / denied / ignored because / since (the next idea) … (explanation).

Engaging workers in identifying and addressing problems is essential in management because it enables them to feel acknowledged by the company’s top leadership.

• Contrasting: (The previous idea) differs from / can be contrasted with / is not the same as (the next idea) in how / because / since … (explanation).

Disciplining children through corporal punishment differs from empowering them because it instills fear instead of encouraging them to engage in constructive behaviors.

• Comparing: (The previous idea) is similar to / can be compared with / is the same as / has some vivid similarities with (the next idea) because / since … (explanation).

Brachytherapy resembles external beam radiotherapy because it mainly aims to shrink cancerous tumors.

• Bridge sequencing: (The previous idea) comes before / starts with / comes after (the next idea) … (explanation).

Establishing strategic goals for a company comes before performance appraisals and signing performance contracts.

• Proving: (The previous idea) means / suggests / indicates / proves / states / implicates that (the next idea) … (explanation).

Declining academic performance among adolescents indicates an inability to cope with emerging social challenges.

• Complicating: Yes / sure / arguably / indeed, (the previous idea), but because of that / however / on the other hand, (the next idea) … (explanation).

Yes, academic advancements among staff members should lead to promotions, but because of that, many people may obtain academic papers fraudulently.

• Adding a bridge precision: The researchers / authors / scholars / experts / professionals explain in more detail / provide more insight / analyzed / included (the previous idea) in their paper / article / work / investigation / study / research regarding (the next idea ) … (explanation).

The authors explain in more detail that using renewable energy sources lowers the cost of manufacturing products in their paper regarding sustainable management.

• Clarifying: Yes / sure / arguably / indeed, (the previous idea) is sometimes ‘describing the situation,’ but this aspect / feature / concept / element / characteristic doesn’t mean / work / result in (the next point) … (explanation).

Poor prognosis is sometimes the case in chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments, but this aspect does not mean cancer is incurable.

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Writing Types of Transition Elements in Bridge Sentences

💠 sequential bridge transitions.

Bridge sentences that contain statements on order and sequence of information should have sequential transitions. These transitioning words or bridge phrases allow one to organize essays or research papers by numerical sequence. Moreover, they indicate a continuation of thoughts or actions by referring to previously mentioned information, indicating excursions, and concluding or summing up ideas. Sequential connecting words allow readers to understand the logical development of concepts presented in an essay. Some examples of sequential transitions include:

• further on,
• consequently,
• incidentally.    

💠 Comparative Bridge Transitions

Comparison transition words in an essay establish a relationship between things or ideas. In this case, comparative bridge words and phrases are essential in explaining what two things have in common. Writers can use comparison words to demonstrate similarities between thoughts, objects, or concepts. Moreover, these bridge elements focus on similitudes only as opposed to variations in a sentence. Some examples of comparative transitions include:

• in the same way,
• regardless,
• at the same time,
• in like manner,
• compared to,
• nonetheless.

💠 Contrastive Bridge Transitions

Contrastive bridge words indicate the difference between ideas or objects. These bridge sentence transitions are important when presenting polar, different, or conflicting ideas. Contrastive transitions allow authors to connect opposing ideas and thoughts understandably. Including conflicting thoughts or ideas in an essay can enhance its quality by allowing readers to evaluate them critically. In an essay, contrastive bridge elements become crucial in presenting contradictory thoughts and opinions. Some examples of contrastive transitions include:

• in contrast,
• conversely,
• dissimilarly,
• on the contrary,
• nevertheless,
• on the one hand,
• contrasted with,
• even though,
• alternatively.

💠 Summing-Up Bridge Transitions

Summing-up bridge transitions are useful in drawing the reader’s attention to the main argument. In this case, one must use appropriate transitions to summarize a discussion or a paragraph. For instance, outstanding essays should have a summary of the main ideas in their conclusions. Summing-up bridge sentences are common when writers use statements to conclude a paragraph or summarize an essay. Some examples of summing-up transitions include:

• essentially,
• in conclusion,
• summing up,
• in other words,
• the main point is,
• this boils down to,
• in this case,
• as a result,
• for that reason,
• conclusively.

Examples of Transition Elements

• Introduce the next idea: as such, essentially, therefore, for instance, basically, in particular, notably, hence.
• Referring to the previous idea: indeed, moreover, furthermore, also, according to, additionally, so.
• Introducing a conclusion paragraph: in summary, in conclusion, thus, summing up, to conclude.
• Showing a similarity: in like manner, equally, likewise, at the same time.
• Showing a contrast : contrarywise, opposite to, dissimilarly, nonetheless, but, instead.
• Giving an example: such as, perhaps, for example, to demonstrate, to suppose, to consider.
• Showing a bridge causation: consistent with, because of, owing to, by reason of, subsequently, given that.
• Showing time relations: subsequently, then, later, next, formerly, each time, whereas.
• Showing space relations: directly above, flanking, under, outside, at this point, opposite, neighboring, reverse.

Summing Up on How to Write a Perfect Bridge Sentence in an Essay or a Research Paper

• Bridge sentences help to connect two independent phrases, expressions, or arguments.
• Writers must provide concise information to ensure the organic flow of information in an essay using connecting sentences.
• Effective use of bridge statements allows writers to communicate effectively throughout their essays or research papers.
• Topic sentences reveal the main message explained in a single paragraph and its relationship to a central thesis statement.
• Transitional sentences create a smooth connection between ideas presented in one passage.
• Concluding sentences summarize information and provide a link between two paragraphs.
• Bridge sentences require an appropriate selection of transitioning words for writing an essay.

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Some experts argue that focusing on individual actions to combat climate change takes the focus away from the collective action required to keep carbon levels from rising. Change will not be effected, say some others, unless individual actions raise the necessary awareness.

While a reader can see the connection between the sentences above, it’s not immediately clear that the second sentence is providing a counterargument to the first. In the example below, key “old information” is repeated in the second sentence to help readers quickly see the connection. This makes the sequence of ideas easier to follow.  

Sentence pair #2: Effective Transition

Some experts argue that focusing on individual actions to combat climate change takes the focus away from the collective action required to keep carbon levels from rising. Other experts argue that individual actions are key to raising the awareness necessary to effect change.

You can use this same technique to create clear transitions between paragraphs. Here’s an example:

Some experts argue that focusing on individual actions to combat climate change takes the focus away from the collective action required to keep carbon levels from rising. Other experts argue that individual actions are key to raising the awareness necessary to effect change. According to Annie Lowery, individual actions are important to making social change because when individuals take action, they can change values, which can lead to more people becoming invested in fighting climate change. She writes, “Researchers believe that these kinds of household-led trends can help avert climate catastrophe, even if government and corporate actions are far more important” (Lowery).

So, what’s an individual household supposed to do?

The repetition of the word “household” in the new paragraph helps readers see the connection between what has come before (a discussion of whether household actions matter) and what is about to come (a proposal for what types of actions households can take to combat climate change).

Sometimes, transitional words can help readers see how ideas are connected. But it’s not enough to just include a “therefore,” “moreover,” “also,” or “in addition.” You should choose these words carefully to show your readers what kind of connection you are making between your ideas.

To decide which transitional word to use, start by identifying the relationship between your ideas. For example, you might be

• making a comparison or showing a contrast Transitional words that compare and contrast include also, in the same way, similarly, in contrast, yet, on the one hand, on the other hand. But before you signal comparison, ask these questions: Do your readers need another example of the same thing? Is there a new nuance in this next point that distinguishes it from the previous example? For those relationships between ideas, you might try this type of transition: While x may appear the same, it actually raises a new question in a slightly different way. 
• expressing agreement or disagreement When you are making an argument, you need to signal to readers where you stand in relation to other scholars and critics. You may agree with another person’s claim, you may want to concede some part of the argument even if you don’t agree with everything, or you may disagree. Transitional words that signal agreement, concession, and disagreement include however, nevertheless, actually, still, despite, admittedly, still, on the contrary, nonetheless .
• showing cause and effect Transitional phrases that show cause and effect include therefore, hence, consequently, thus, so. Before you choose one of these words, make sure that what you are about to illustrate is really a causal link. Novice writers tend to add therefore and hence when they aren’t sure how to transition; you should reserve these words for when they accurately signal the progression of your ideas.
• explaining or elaborating Transitions can signal to readers that you are going to expand on a point that you have just made or explain something further. Transitional words that signal explanation or elaboration include in other words, for example, for instance, in particular, that is, to illustrate, moreover .
• drawing conclusions You can use transitions to signal to readers that you are moving from the body of your argument to your conclusions. Before you use transitional words to signal conclusions, consider whether you can write a stronger conclusion by creating a transition that shows the relationship between your ideas rather than by flagging the paragraph simply as a conclusion. Transitional words that signal a conclusion include in conclusion , as a result, ultimately, overall— but strong conclusions do not necessarily have to include those phrases.

If you’re not sure which transitional words to use—or whether to use one at all—see if you can explain the connection between your paragraphs or sentence either out loud or in the margins of your draft.

For example, if you write a paragraph in which you summarize physician Atul Gawande’s argument about the value of incremental care, and then you move on to a paragraph that challenges those ideas, you might write down something like this next to the first paragraph: “In this paragraph I summarize Gawande’s main claim.” Then, next to the second paragraph, you might write, “In this paragraph I present a challenge to Gawande’s main claim.” Now that you have identified the relationship between those two paragraphs, you can choose the most effective transition between them. Since the second paragraph in this example challenges the ideas in the first, you might begin with something like “but,” or “however,” to signal that shift for your readers.  

• picture_as_pdf Transitions

Transitional Words and Phrases

One of your primary goals as a writer is to present ideas in a clear and understandable way. To help readers move through your complex ideas, you want to be intentional about how you structure your paper as a whole as well as how you form the individual paragraphs that comprise it. In order to think through the challenges of presenting your ideas articulately, logically, and in ways that seem natural to your readers, check out some of these resources: Developing a Thesis Statement , Paragraphing , and Developing Strategic Transitions: Writing that Establishes Relationships and Connections Between Ideas.

While clear writing is mostly achieved through the deliberate sequencing of your ideas across your entire paper, you can guide readers through the connections you’re making by using transitional words in individual sentences. Transitional words and phrases can create powerful links between your ideas and can help your reader understand your paper’s logic.

In what follows, we’ve included a list of frequently used transitional words and phrases that can help you establish how your various ideas relate to each other. We’ve divided these words and phrases into categories based on the common kinds of relationships writers establish between ideas.

Two recommendations: Use these transitions strategically by making sure that the word or phrase you’re choosing matches the logic of the relationship you’re emphasizing or the connection you’re making. All of these words and phrases have different meanings, nuances, and connotations, so before using a particular transitional word in your paper, be sure you understand its meaning and usage completely, and be sure that it’s the right match for your paper’s logic. Use these transitional words and phrases sparingly because if you use too many of them, your readers might feel like you are overexplaining connections that are already clear.

Categories of Transition Words and Phrases

Causation Chronology Combinations Contrast Example

Importance Location Similarity Clarification Concession

Conclusion Intensification Purpose Summary

Transitions to help establish some of the most common kinds of relationships

Causation– Connecting instigator(s) to consequence(s).

accordingly as a result and so because

consequently for that reason hence on account of

since therefore thus

Chronology– Connecting what issues in regard to when they occur.

after afterwards always at length during earlier following immediately in the meantime

later never next now once simultaneously so far sometimes

soon subsequently then this time until now when whenever while

Combinations Lists– Connecting numerous events. Part/Whole– Connecting numerous elements that make up something bigger.

additionally again also and, or, not as a result besides even more

finally first, firstly further furthermore in addition in the first place in the second place

last, lastly moreover next second, secondly, etc. too

Contrast– Connecting two things by focusing on their differences.

after all although and yet at the same time but

despite however in contrast nevertheless nonetheless notwithstanding

on the contrary on the other hand otherwise though yet

Example– Connecting a general idea to a particular instance of this idea.

as an illustration e.g., (from a Latin abbreviation for “for example”)

for example for instance specifically that is

to demonstrate to illustrate

Importance– Connecting what is critical to what is more inconsequential.

chiefly critically

foundationally most importantly

of less importance primarily

Location– Connecting elements according to where they are placed in relationship to each other.

above adjacent to below beyond

centrally here nearby neighboring on

opposite to peripherally there wherever

Similarity– Connecting to things by suggesting that they are in some way alike.

by the same token in like manner

in similar fashion here in the same way

likewise wherever

Other kinds of transitional words and phrases Clarification

i.e., (from a Latin abbreviation for “that is”) in other words

that is that is to say to clarify to explain

to put it another way to rephrase it

granted it is true

naturally of course

finally lastly

in conclusion in the end

to conclude

Intensification

in fact indeed no

of course surely to repeat

undoubtedly without doubt yes

for this purpose in order that

so that to that end

to this end

in brief in sum

in summary in short

to sum up to summarize

Improving Your Writing Style

This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.

Clear, Concise Sentences

Use the active voice

Put the action in the verb

Tidy up wordy phrases

Reduce wordy verbs

Reduce prepositional phrases

Reduce expletive constructions

Avoid using vague nouns

Avoid unneccessarily inflated words

Avoid noun strings

Connecting Ideas Through Transitions

Using Transitional Words and Phrases

How to Use Transition Sentences: Definition, Tips, and Examples

Transition sentences are crucial components of written and spoken language that serve as bridges between different ideas, paragraphs, or sections within a piece of writing. These sentences smoothly guide the reader from one point to another, ensuring coherence and logical progression in the narrative. Transition sentences play a vital role in maintaining the flow of a text, helping readers navigate through complex information or arguments with ease. 

The primary function of transition sentences is to establish connections and relationships between different text parts, creating a sense of unity and coherence. By using transitional words or phrases, writers create a cohesive and well-organized structure, enhancing the overall readability and comprehension of their work. They can take various forms, including words like "however," "meanwhile," or phrases like "on the other hand." Students who use our essay writing service receive their papers where transitional words and sentences are used on point.

What Are Transition Sentences Explained

Transitional sentences are crucial links within a written or spoken discourse, aiding in the seamless connection between ideas, paragraphs, or sections. These sentences play a pivotal role in ensuring a cohesive narrative flow and logical progression, enhancing the overall clarity and comprehension of the text. Here are several examples:

• Addition Transition: “Building on this idea, the next section delves into…”
• Contrast Transition: “While the previous paragraph discussed the benefits, it is essential to examine the drawbacks…”
• Causation Transition: “The initial steps in the process set the foundation; consequently, the final stages produce tangible results…”
• Time Transition: “As the narrative unfolds, the protagonist's journey takes unexpected turns, ultimately leading to a surprising climax…”
• Comparison Transition: “In contrast to the traditional approach, the modern methodology offers a more efficient and streamlined solution…”

These transitional sentences exemplify how authors seamlessly guide readers through shifts in thought, emphasize relationships between ideas, and ensure a coherent and engaging narrative structure. Remember that before you learn how to use transitions, we recommend you read this guide on how to write an essay introduction .

What Are Good Transition Sentences

Good transition sentences are the linchpin of effective writing, ensuring a seamless flow of ideas and maintaining the reader's engagement. These sentences serve as roadways, connecting one thought to the next and guiding the audience through the narrative. Achieving a balance between cohesion and variety is essential for crafting effective transitions, which can be seen in the examples of transition sentences below.

Consider the transition from one paragraph to another. Instead of abruptly shifting topics, a good transition sentence introduces the upcoming idea while connecting it to the previous one. For example, "Having explored the historical context of the Industrial Revolution, we now delve into its profound socio-economic impacts."

Another critical function of transition sentences is to indicate contrasts or contradictions in ideas. By using words like "however," "on the contrary," or "in contrast," writers signal a shift. For instance, "The benefits of renewable energy are undeniable. However, it is crucial to acknowledge the challenges associated with its widespread implementation."

Time transitions are indispensable for chronological order. "In the following years" or "Meanwhile" are cues that seamlessly guide the reader through the timeline of events. For instance, "The initial phase of the project laid the groundwork. Meanwhile, unforeseen challenges arose during the implementation stage."

To highlight similarities or draw comparisons between ideas, phrases like "similarly," "in the same vein," or "likewise" prove valuable. For example, "Just as the scientific method revolutionized research in the natural sciences, applying a similar empirical approach can advance social sciences."

Good transition sentences are versatile tools that elevate writing by ensuring coherence, progression, and reader understanding. A thoughtful integration of transitions contributes to the overall rhythm and clarity of the narrative, enhancing the impact of the written work. If you are just about to write your paper and want to know the difference between Metaphors and Analogies, we suggest you take a look at our guide to help you find a good topic ideas example.

How to Write a Transition Sentence

When writing a transition sentence, there are three very important aspects to consider: The logical relationship between the ideas, Wording, and Placement. Use this as a rule of thumb; you will always write good transition sentences.

Start with identifying the relationship between the key point and the ideas. Ask yourself whether to contrast them, make a smooth connection, summarize the point, or bring in a new idea. Once you know why you need an effective transition, consider half of the job done.

The wording of transitions is equally important. You must choose words that express the relationship between the previous paragraph and a new one. Every language has common transitional words that smoothly make logical connections between the ideas. There are so many that you can easily avoid overusing the same transition words and phrases. The following examples of transition sentences will give you a clearer understanding of the concept: 'In conclusion…', 'On the other hand…' 'Previously mentioned…' and so on.

The right placement helps you outline the logical connections more effortlessly. You should put the transition words where they fit naturally. Usually, it's either at the beginning of a new paragraph or at the end to let the reader know you are about to draw conclusions. 

All the above is an ABC of how to write a transition sentence. Follow our guide; you will master the art of transitional devices in no time. 

You can be interested: Metaphors and Analogies: How to Use Them in Your Academic Life

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Transition Sentences Between Paragraphs

Transition sentences between paragraphs play a pivotal role in weaving a cohesive tapestry of ideas, guiding readers through the narrative with fluidity and clarity. These sentences act as connective tissue, smoothly transitioning from one paragraph to the next, enhancing the overall readability of the text.

Consider the scenario where a narrative shifts from introducing a problem to presenting a solution. A well-crafted transition sentence can bridge this gap seamlessly. For instance, "Having identified the challenges, let's now explore viable solutions that can pave the way for meaningful change."

Similarly, when delving into a contrasting idea, a transition sentence becomes the compass that guides readers through the shift in perspective. "While the benefits of technology are evident, it is imperative to acknowledge the potential drawbacks that accompany such rapid advancements."

Time transitions are indispensable when narrating a sequence of events. "As the story unfolds" or "In the subsequent years" serve as cues, allowing readers to effortlessly follow the chronological progression of the narrative. For example, "The initial experiments yielded promising results. In the subsequent years, researchers encountered unforeseen challenges that reshaped the trajectory of their investigations."

Furthermore, comparison transitions help draw parallels between concepts. "In a similar vein" or "Likewise" act as highways, linking one idea to another for a smoother transition. "Just as the characters in the novel undergo personal growth, the storyline also evolves, creating a nuanced exploration of human experiences."

In general, transition words and sentences are the architects of narrative coherence, ensuring that readers navigate through the text seamlessly. By strategically placing these transitions, writers can guide their audience through shifts in ideas, perspectives, and timelines, creating a harmonious and engaging reading experience. If you are just about to write your paper and want to know how to write a hypothesis, we suggest you take a look at our guide to help you find a good example of topic ideas.

You can be interested: How to Write a Hypothesis

Where to Place Transition Sentences

Transition sentences are powerful tools, but their effectiveness depends on strategic placement within a text. Correct usage enhances coherence, while incorrect placement can disrupt the flow. Let's explore where to appropriately position these sentences with examples.

Placing a transition sentence at the start of a new paragraph signals a shift in focus, preparing the reader for what lies ahead. This ensures a logical progression.

• Correct: "Having examined the historical context, we now shift our focus to the societal impacts of the Industrial Revolution."
• Incorrect: "The Industrial Revolution, a turning point in history. Its impacts on society were profound."

Within a paragraph, transitions can signal a shift in perspective, introducing contrast or contradiction smoothly without abrupt interruptions.

• Correct: "The advantages of renewable energy are evident; however, challenges in infrastructure remain significant."
• Incorrect: "Renewable energy has numerous benefits. The challenges in infrastructure are, however, significant."

Transition sentences guide readers through time, indicating progression. Placing them at natural breakpoints helps readers follow the chronological sequence effortlessly.

• Correct: "The project's initiation marked a period of excitement. Subsequently, unforeseen challenges altered the course."
• Incorrect: "The project's initiation marked a period of excitement. However, unforeseen challenges altered the course."

When comparing ideas, transitions can smoothly connect concepts, creating a link that aids in understanding relationships.

• Correct: "The scientific method revolutionized natural sciences. In a similar vein, applying empirical approaches can advance social sciences."
• Incorrect: "The scientific method revolutionized natural sciences. Likewise, empirical approaches can advance social sciences."

Concluding with a transition sentence summarizes key points, guiding readers out of the main discussion gracefully.

• Correct: "In conclusion, the evidence supports the hypothesis. However, further research is needed to explore long-term effects."
• Incorrect: "The evidence supports the hypothesis. In conclusion, further research is needed to explore long-term effects."

By placing transition sentences strategically, writers guide readers through the narrative, creating a coherent and engaging reading experience. Incorrect usage disrupts the flow, making it essential to consider the context and purpose when incorporating these transitions.

Transition Sentences Between Sections

Transition sentences serve as pathways, seamlessly connecting different segments of your text and ensuring a cohesive and logical flow. These sentences play a pivotal role in guiding readers through shifts in themes, perspectives, chronological progressions, or comparative analyses. For instance, when transitioning from an exploration of historical context to an in-depth analysis of the economic ramifications of the Industrial Revolution, the text might gracefully progress: "Having delved into the historical backdrop, the narrative now shifts focus to the economic repercussions of the Industrial Revolution, shedding light on its profound impact on commerce and societal structures."

Similarly, in contrasting perspectives, a transition sentence such as "While the benefits of renewable energy are evident, a closer examination reveals potential challenges in its widespread implementation. This nuanced perspective prompts a deeper exploration of the complexities inherent in adopting sustainable practices on a global scale."

In cases of chronological progression, a transition like "With the foundation laid, the narrative progresses to the crucial developments during the implementation phase. This chronological shift allows readers to follow the evolution of ideas, connecting past events to present implications and fostering a comprehensive understanding."

Likewise, during comparative analyses, a transition sentence such as "In contrast to traditional methodologies, the discussion now centers on the innovative approaches that have reshaped the field. This shift in focus invites readers to critically evaluate the transformative impact of progressive strategies and their implications for future practices."

In conclusion, transition sentences between sections are indispensable for maintaining coherence and guiding readers through different thematic or analytical shifts. The strategic use of these sentences provides clarity and ensures a seamless reading experience, allowing readers to navigate through diverse ideas with ease. Keep in mind that you can always order an essay online if anything seems too difficult or you don’t have time to deal with the assignment personally. 

Transition Sentences Within Paragraphs

Let’s find out how to use transition sentences to connect ideas, ensuring a seamless flow of thoughts. They are like subtle guides that help readers navigate through the evolving narrative. For instance, when introducing additional information, consider a transition like: "Moreover, the data suggests a clear correlation between regular exercise and improved mental well-being." This transition smoothly leads the reader to a deeper understanding by introducing supporting evidence.

In cases of contrasting ideas, a transition sentence can gracefully shift the focus. Imagine exploring technological advancements and social inequality, with a transition like: "On the contrary, some argue that technological advancements may exacerbate social inequality rather than alleviate it." This transition introduces an opposing viewpoint without causing abrupt disruption, encouraging a more nuanced examination of the topic.

For sequential progression, a transition sentence paves the way for the next step in reasoning. Visualize transitioning from theoretical discussions to practical implications: "Following this line of reasoning, the next logical step is to examine the practical implications of these theoretical frameworks in real-world scenarios." This transition guides the reader through the logical progression of ideas within the paragraph, enhancing overall comprehension.

As you can see, transition sentences within paragraphs are subtle tools that enhance readability by smoothly connecting thoughts and ideas. These examples illustrate how these transitions create a cohesive and engaging reading experience.

Transition Words and Phrases

What transforms ordinary sentences into transition sentences? The answer lies in transition words that serve as the guiding signposts, steering your writing's flow from one thought to the next. 

The choice of a transition word in a sentence is crucial to your reader's ability to comprehend your writing, as seemingly identical sentences can take on vastly different meanings with different transition words. Let's delve into quick examples illustrating how the selection of words can reshape an idea:

Consider the following sentences:

• We love to try different local restaurants and explore new cuisines. Recently, we tried two new restaurants downtown.
• We love to try different local restaurants and explore new cuisines. Hence, we tried two new restaurants downtown.
• We love to try different local restaurants and explore new cuisines. On the whole, we tried two new restaurants downtown.

Observe how the foodies' point undergoes a dramatic shift simply by substituting various transition words and phrases. This exemplifies the profound impact of word choice on the overall meaning of a sentence. While working on short assignments like essays, this information might seem easy. But when longer papers are due, one may easily get lost in the abundance of transition words and phrases scattered around the document. That’s why we have a professional coursework writing service that can help you with this matter. 

Explore the following list of commonly used transition words and phrases tailored for specific transitions:

Transition Words and Phrases to Communicate Similarities

When highlighting similarities between ideas, events, or concepts in your writing, the careful use of transition words is essential. These linguistic tools serve as bridges, guiding your readers through parallel thoughts seamlessly.

• In the same vein
• Correspondingly
• Similarly to
• Analogously

Transition Words and Phrases to Express Emphasis

Adding emphasis to key points in your writing can significantly impact the reader's understanding and engagement. Transition words designed for emphasis play a crucial role in signaling the importance of specific ideas.

• Undoubtedly
• Unquestionably

Transition Words and Phrases to Demonstrate Cause and Effect

Unraveling the cause-and-effect relationship in your writing requires the strategic use of transition words. These words guide readers through the logical progression of events and help them understand the connections between actions.

• Consequently
• As a result

Transition Words and Phrases to Denote Position

When conveying the spatial or logical arrangement of ideas, transition words indicating position become invaluable. They provide clarity and structure, allowing readers to follow the sequential or spatial organization of your content.

• Adjacent to
• Furthermore
• In the background
• In the foreground

Transition Words and Phrases to Illustrate a Sequence

Sequencing ideas in your writing demands a smooth flow to keep readers engaged. Transition words that denote sequence act as navigational tools, guiding your audience through a logical progression of events.

• Subsequently
• In the meantime

Transition Words and Phrases to Show Examples

Providing examples enhances the clarity and credibility of your writing. Transition words tailored for illustrating examples help seamlessly integrate supporting details into your narrative.

• For example
• For instance
• In particular
• To illustrate
• Specifically

Logical Connectors Examples

When it comes to logical connectors English grammar offers a wide range of words and phrases you can use to enrich your text. Below you will find a logical connectors table full of logical connectors examples from our dissertation writing services . 

Incorporating transition sentences and phrases is an indispensable skill for any proficient writer. These linguistic tools act as the adhesive that binds individual thoughts, creating a seamless and coherent narrative. The strategic use of transitional elements ensures readers can effortlessly follow the flow of ideas, enhancing comprehension and engagement. Through the judicious selection of transition words, writers wield the power to guide their audience through a logical journey, connecting concepts and building a narrative that is both compelling and easily digestible.

Moreover, the importance of employing transitional sentences extends beyond mere stylistic finesse. It is a fundamental aspect of effective communication, whether in academic writing, professional documents, or creative pieces. As seen in the examples of transition sentences, they not only facilitate the smooth progression of ideas but also serve as cues for readers, signaling shifts in tone, perspective, or logical structure. Our dissertation writing service can help you with smooth transitions between paragraphs and sections of text in complex documents such as theses and capstones. 

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Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

Related Articles

Bridge Sentences

Ai generator.

Imagine a world without bridges, and we mean the bridges that connect pieces of land together for us to travel from one place to another. The bridge could be as short as those build over rivers or as long as the Golden Gate Bridge along the Pacific, yet their purpose remains the same. In a similar sense, bridge sentences in writing and speech serve as transitions to connect two similar or opposing ideas together. In this article, we will discuss the basic function of bridge sentences in communication.

What are Bridge Sentences – Defining

A bridge sentence, also known as a paragraph bridge, is a type of topic sentence that helps connect an old paragraph or idea to a new one. It conveys what the new paragraph is about and how it relates to the one introduced prior to it. The trick to doing so is to create a smooth shift of thoughts by bringing these ideas closer together. If the bridge isn’t constructed properly, then it will fail to convey the right message to its readers. These transitions can sometimes be found in the first line of the paragraph, but you can also find them at the end of a paragraph in some cases.

Short Bridge Sentences

• Moving from historical context to current applications, it’s clear that this technology has evolved significantly.
• On a related note, this brings us to another significant aspect.
• However, this perspective changes when we look at the situation from a different angle.
• Furthermore, this development has implications for both our short-term strategies and long-term goals.
• Conversely, critics argue that this approach may overlook some fundamental concerns.
• Building upon this point, we can see how it directly influences other trends in the field.
• Despite these advancements, several challenges remain unresolved.
• Next, let’s turn our attention to the effects of these changes.
• To better understand this phenomenon, a closer examination of the data is necessary.

Simple Bridge Sentences

• Let’s now consider another aspect of the same issue.
• This leads us to the next point.
• Similarly, we see a related pattern emerging in other areas.
• Contrasting with this idea, another perspective highlights a different issue.
• With this in mind, we can further explore the implications.
• This sets the stage for understanding the broader impact.
• Moreover, this connection is crucial for our discussion.
• This example clearly illustrates the main point.
• Turning to a different example, we can see how this applies in other contexts.
• To delve deeper, let’s examine a specific case.

Words to Start Bridge Sentences

What is the purpose of bridging paragraphs.

While writing an essay or any academic or business paper, using transitional devices such as bridge sentences is essential in connecting similar thoughts together. This serves as an escort from a previous topic being discussed to a new one.

For example, the bridge sentence of an introductory paragraph is typically found between the ‘hook’ and the thesis statement . The hook is crafted to draw attention, while the bridge sentence is used to slowly introduce the thesis statement to readers. They serve as a clue for readers to understand what was being mentioned in a given article or study, what will be discussed next, and how the two topics relate to one another.

The function of a bridge sentence within multiple paragraphs of an essay writing is also similar to the one previously stated. But, instead of starting each paragraph with a topic sentence, the bridge is used to create a smooth transition of thoughts. Here, the speaker briefly discusses the previous point given in order to tie it to a new point.

Types of Transitions

When it comes to writing a paper, bridge sentences are generally referred to as transitional statements. These statements may consist of a few words or they can make up a whole sentence outline or paragraph. But, keep in mind that these transitions would depend on the relationship being conveyed in the write-up. To understand the proper use of these transitions, you can study the following types:

• Sequential Transitions –  Bridge sentences with sequential transitions that demonstrate a logical flow of ideas in a write-up. For example, words such as ‘thus’, ‘therefore’, and ‘then’ show a relationship between the past and the current point being discussed.
• Comparative Transitions –  This type of transitional words and phrases can come in handy, especially when the relationship between two ideas isn’t so obvious. These words serve as an effective instrument in drawing analogies that are difficult to comprehend at first. Examples of such include words and phrases like ‘also’, ‘just as’, ‘like’, and ‘similarly’.
• Contrastive Transitions – For instances when you’re neither looking at similarities nor describing relationships but instead focusing on contrasting qualities, these transitions can be extremely useful. Not only can these transitions help emphasize central ideas in a compare-and-contrast essay, but they can also help debunk a claim or point out the opposite side of an issue. Examples that fall under this category include ‘though’, ‘but’, ‘however’, ‘nevertheless’, ‘nonetheless’, ‘then again’, ‘on the other hand’, and ‘at the same time’. You may also see Short Sentence Example .
• Summing Up Transitions –  After proving your point, you’d want to throw in that one last thought, to sum up, every important detail provided. To ensure that readers don’t miss the main idea of your paragraph or article, these transitional sentences can help in introducing your final thought in a quick yet appropriate manner. Transitional words in this category include ‘essentially’, ‘basically’, ‘ultimately’, ‘in short’, and ‘in other words’.

Examples of Bridge Sentences

Listed below are brief samples of paragraphs consisting of bridge sentences. The bridge sentence in these examples have been  italicized  for your reference: You may also see Cumulative Sentence Example .

Sandra and her father played out in the rain despite the strong protest coming from her mother. They danced to the tune of the rain and watched as each droplet fell from the dark skies. She smiled, thinking of the days when she and her father listened helplessly to the endless rants of her mother as their soaking bodies form small puddles of water inside the house. You may also see Balanced Sentence Examples .

Now, thirty years later, Sandra looks back to these memories with tears filling her baby blues.

The documentary concluded its feature with North Korean soldiers dumping corpses onto a military truck.

Why would any news program carry such gruesome footage? Surely they knew what the consequences were for doing so… Instead, representatives from the news network considered it newsworthy because the clips featured exclusive content and startling visual images that viewers were interested in . You may also see Complex Sentence Example .

The World Health Organization began forming a highly-classified group of scientists to study the outpouring origins and effects of disease X. Though the disease remains unknown to society, it is likely to be a hybrid of past diseases that have been carried by animals. The team of scientists was tasked to discover the possible symptoms of the disease, along with the regions it is likely to spread in first. You may also see Compound Sentence Examples .

In other words, disease X is an existing, scientifically-generated epidemic that is yet to sweep a mass number of the earth’s population in the near future. 

Ultimately, the main objective of a bridge sentence is to help promote clear communication. By defining the relationship between two separate ideas, readers are able to grasp the connection that exists between them. This creates a smooth flow of thoughts to provide an exceptional reading experience for individuals. You may also see Parallel Sentence Example .

Bridge Sentences for Class 1

• Now, let’s talk about something else.
• Next, we are going to learn about…
• Let’s move on to our next fun fact.
• After that, we did… Now, we will do…
• First we learned about A, now let’s look at B.
• Do you remember what we did yesterday? Today, we’re going to learn more about it.
• We finished our story, now let’s draw a picture of our favorite part.
• We counted apples before. Now, let’s count oranges.
• Let’s put away our books and get out our art supplies.
• We sang a song about the weather, now let’s look outside to see what the weather is doing today.

Bridge Sentences for Class 2

• We just read about animals. Now, let’s write our own story about a lion.
• We finished our math worksheet. Next, we’ll use blocks to show what we learned.
• We learned how plants grow. Let’s draw pictures of a plant’s life cycle.
• After playing our counting game, now we will count all the chairs in our classroom.
• We talked about the weather yesterday. Today, we’ll make a weather chart.
• First, we learned about addition. Now, let’s try some subtraction problems.
• Now that we’ve cleaned up our area, let’s gather around for story time.
• We’ve just finished learning our new words. Let’s use them in sentences now.
• We colored pictures in the morning; now, let’s write about the pictures after lunch.
• We talked about healthy foods; next, we will cut out pictures of foods to make our own healthy meal.

Bridge Sentences for Class 3

• Now that we’ve read about dinosaurs, let’s compare them to animals living today.
• We just learned about multiplication. Let’s apply it by calculating how many apples are in these baskets.
• After discussing the water cycle, let’s create a mini water cycle model in class.
• We’ve written our own fairy tales. Now, let’s read them aloud to the class.
• We’ve explored maps of our country. Next, let’s look at maps of other countries and find the differences.
• Now that we know how to measure length, let’s find objects around the classroom to practice measuring.
• We learned about ancient Egypt; now let’s write a day in the life of an Egyptian child.
• After our lesson on planets, let’s use balls of different sizes to create a model of the solar system.
• We discussed the importance of recycling; now, let’s sort these materials into recyclables and non-recyclables.
• We’ve practiced fractions with pizza slices; next, let’s use the same idea with a chocolate bar.

Types of Bridge Sentences

1. continuation bridges.

• These sentences extend the thought from the previous paragraph or introduce additional information that complements the preceding ideas.
• Example: “Furthermore, continuing this program will not only benefit current participants but also future generations.”

2. Contrast Bridges

• Used to introduce a contrasting or opposing viewpoint to the one just discussed, helping to highlight differences.
• Example: “However, despite the previous success of the initiative, recent reports suggest a decline in its effectiveness.”

3. Cause and Effect Bridges

• These bridge sentences explain the cause and effect relationships between ideas, showing how one event leads to another.
• Example: “Consequently, the sudden drop in temperature last winter caused significant damage to the crop yields.”

4. Similarity Bridges

• They draw parallels between two ideas, emphasizing similarities and connections.
• Example: “Similarly, the economic policies of Country X have mirrored the early stages of economic development seen in Country Y.”

5. Clarification Bridges

• These are used to clarify or further explain a point or idea that might not have been fully understood.
• Example: “To clarify, the new policy does not replace the old one but rather expands upon the existing regulations.”

6. Emphasis Bridges

• Emphasis bridges are employed to stress the importance or critical nature of a point just discussed.
• Example: “Indeed, this evidence highlights the urgent need for reform within the sector.”

7. Conclusion Bridges

• Used to signal that a conclusion or summary is forthcoming, wrapping up the discussion.
• Example: “In conclusion, the multiple benefits of this approach clearly outweigh its drawbacks.”

8. Time Sequence Bridges

• These help organize narratives or processes by marking the progression of time or steps.
• Example: “Subsequently, after the initial trials were successful, the next phase of the project commenced.”

How to Write Bridge Sentences

1. understand the purpose of bridge sentences.

• Transition: Bridge sentences help readers move from one paragraph or section to another seamlessly.
• Prediction: They can set the stage for what is coming next, preparing the reader for a shift in tone, argument, or topic.
• Reflection: Bridge sentences can also reflect on the content just covered, making a connection between the previous information and new ideas.

2. Identify the Connection

• Start by clearly understanding the content of both the preceding and following paragraphs.
• Identify the key elements that connect these two paragraphs. This could be a shared theme, a contrasting point, or a cause-and-effect relationship.

3. Choose the Right Type of Transition

• Continuation transitions (furthermore, moreover, additionally) are used when adding similar information or expanding on a point.
• Contrast transitions (however, on the other hand, conversely) introduce an opposing viewpoint or a shift in direction.
• Cause and effect transitions (therefore, as a result, thus) demonstrate the relationship between actions and outcomes.
• Chronological transitions (next, then, after) are useful in narrative or process writing to show the progression of time or steps.

4. Craft the Sentence

• Keep the bridge sentence concise and to the point.
• Use it to gently guide the reader from one idea to the next, ensuring the sentence fits the tone and style of your writing.
• Make sure it incorporates key terms or concepts that are central to both paragraphs, enhancing the thematic continuity of your text.

5. Evaluate its Effectiveness

• After writing your bridge sentence, read the transition aloud to see if it naturally guides you from one idea to the next.
• Check if the bridge sentence helps clarify the relationship between paragraphs. If the connection still feels jarring or abrupt, consider revising the sentence.

Why are bridge sentences used?

Bridge sentences connect paragraphs or sections, ensuring a smooth transition in writing, aiding coherence, and guiding readers from one idea to another seamlessly.

What is a bridge sentence in analogies?

In analogies, a bridge sentence explains the relationship between two seemingly unrelated topics, clarifying how one idea or example parallels or contrasts with another.

How to use the verb bridge in a sentence?

The verb “bridge” denotes the act of making connections or overcoming gaps; e.g., “This meeting aims to bridge the communication gap between departments.”

What are good bridge sentences?

Good bridge sentences effectively link ideas, clarify transitions, and maintain the flow of text, often incorporating transitional phrases like ‘furthermore’, ‘however’, or ‘consequently’.

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Transitional Words

Transitional words are like bridges between parts of your essay. They are cues that help the reader interpret your ideas. Transitional words or phrases help carry your thoughts forward from one sentence to another and one paragraph to another. Finally, transitional words link sentences and paragraphs together smoothly so that there are no abrupt jumps or breaks between ideas.

Here is a list of common transitional words and the categories to which they belong.

and, again, and then, besides, equally important, finally, further, furthermore, nor, too, next, lastly, what's more, moreover, in addition, first (second, etc.)

To Compare:

whereas, but, yet, on the other 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

because, for, since, for the same reason, obviously, evidently, furthermore, moreover, besides, indeed, in fact, in addition, in any case, that is

To Show Exception:

yet, still, however, nevertheless, in spite of, despite, of course, once in a while, sometimes

To Show Time:

immediately, thereafter, soon, after a few hours, finally, then, later, previously, formerly, first (second, etc.), next, and then

in brief, as I have said, as I have noted, as has been noted

To Emphasize:

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

To Show Sequence:

first, second, third, and so forth, next, then, following this, at this time, now, at this point, after, afterward, subsequently, finally, consequently, previously, before this, simultaneously, concurrently, thus, therefore, hence, next, and then, soon

To Give an Example:

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

To Summarize or Conclude:

in brief, on the whole, summing up, to conclude, in conclusion, as I have shown, as I have said, hence, therefore, accordingly, thus, as a result, consequently

The Barker Underground

Writing advice from the harvard college writing center tutors, building bridges between your paragraphs.

by Kenneth Mai

Your essay doesn’t flow. Add some transitions.

Those words – along with comments such as “Needs better transitions,” “Where’s the transition?,” or simply “TRANSITION!!!” – plague many a paper that may perhaps otherwise be brilliant.

See, it’s like this. Pretend that the many ideas you’re churning out within a paper are islands in the ocean. (That’s a metaphor! Sometimes metaphors work nicely in papers! ) Some islands are bigger than others. Some are closer to each other, whilst some may seem to be drifting off far away from all the others. Similarly, some ideas are smaller bits a cohesive whole, while others require a bit more effort to reel in. Your task is to  gather these islands into a sort of kingdom that you rule. But in order  to make sure that you have full control over everything, you need to connect the islands to each other. Now, it’s fine that each island isn’t directly connected to every other island, especially when they’re far enough away from each other to not really be related at all. But ultimately you want all the islands connected to make up a unified whole. So what do you do?

You build bridges!

In the context of writing a paper, these bridges are your transitions. You have two ideas that are related— islands that are close enough that you can build a bridge between them—but ultimately distinct. In order to help your readers across that gulf, then, you need to put in a transition.

But what exactly is a transition? Is it one of the sequential words – “first,” “second,” “finally,” etc. – that were the gold standard of midde school writing? Well…perhaps. But you have many more options now.    The kind of transition you use depends on the relationship that you’re trying to build between two ideas, and those relationships can be quite complex.  Transitions can be as short as a word or a couple of words to something as long as a sentence or even an entire paragraph. What’s important isn’t so much the shape of the transition as the underlying connection that is being made.

Here are a few useful types of transitions to keep in mind.

• Sequential Transitions: Here, we’re not talking so much about “first, second, third.” Rather, this kind of transition points more towards the ideas that logically follow each other. Words such as “therefore” or “then,”  or phrases like “This indicates that…”, show a relationship between the ideas.  These transitions are used when one idea is the premise on which the next idea depends or when the second idea comes as a deduction from the first. Examples: Thus, Therefore, Then; It follows that, This indicates that, This implies that; From this we can see that, What this means is that…
• Comparative Transitions : Sometimes, it’s not so much that one idea is derivative of another, but rather that they share some sort of property. This is especially useful when the relationship between the two ideas isn’t obvious. This type of transition is useful in comparative essays (for obvious reasons) but also instrumental when you are using analogies to make a point about some sort of topic (such as talking about islands to make a point about transitions!) Examples: Like, Also, Similarly; Just as, In the same vein; This idea can also be seen in…, A similar phenomenon is found in …
• Contrastive Transitions: There are times when you’re neither describing premise-conclusion relationships nor looking at similarities, but instead focusing on contrasts: “This author says this, but that author says that.” “This appears to be the case, but in reality, it’s something else.” These transitions are useful not only in compare-and-contrast essays, but also whenever you’re trying to debunk a claim or to show another side of an issue. These words can also help you to move on to an entirely different issue. Examples: But, Though, However, Nevertheless/Nonetheless; Then again, On the other hand, At the same time; This ignores, It’s not…but rather, The difference between…and…is that…
• Summing Up Transitions : You’ve established an idea and thrown lots of brilliant evidence our way. Now what? In order to make sure your readers won’t miss important information, it’s a good idea provide the quick and dirty version of the ideas you just laid out before introducing your big, final insight. Examples: Essentially, Basically, Ultimately; In short, In other words, That is to say; This boils down to, The main point is…

Ultimately, the goal of these tools is to bring a sense of cohesion to your paper by showing the logical progression of your thoughts; they’re signposts telling your reader which bridge to cross and what the two islands linked by that bridge have to do with each other. These signposts ought to be everywhere within your paper, moving your reader between phrases and sentences in addition to paragraphs or larger chunks. Sometimes multiple signposts are needed to guide a reader across the bridge, because of the complex relationship of those two ideas. The primary goal to keep in mind, though, is to make sure your reader has a smooth trip. That’s how you make your paper flow.

In my next post, I’ll offer some examples of transitional sentences and paragraphs.

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Article • 8 min read

Bridges' Transition Model

Guiding people through change by managing endings.

By the Mind Tools Content Team

Change is often quite uncomfortable, leading to resistance in ourselves and others, even when the need to move on is clear.

So, it's important to understand how your people are feeling, and why, as they approach change. If you can guide them through it skilfully and compassionately, they will likely – eventually – accept and support it.

Bridges' Transition Model helps you do this. We'll explore the model in this article, which we developed with the help of Susan Bridges.

What Is the Bridges' Model of Transition and Change?

Bridges' Transition Model focuses on transition, not change. The difference between these is subtle but important.

According to the model, change is something that happens to people, even if they don't agree with it. Transition, on the other hand, is internal: it's what happens in people's minds as they go through change. Change can happen very quickly, while transition usually occurs more slowly.

The Bridges' Model was created by change consultant, William Bridges. He first wrote about his ideas in his 1979 book, "Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes," going on to revise and republish several times with his business partner and spouse, Susan Bridges. Their 1991 book, "Managing Transitions," demonstrated how the model could be applied in the workplace, and Susan developed this further following William's death in 2013. [1]

Mind Tools Club members and enterprise licensees can listen to our Expert Interview with Susan Bridges .

The Three Stages of Transition According to Bridges

Bridges' Model highlights three stages of transition that people go through when they are faced with change. These are:

• Ending, Losing, and Letting Go.
• The Neutral Zone.
• The New Beginning.

Bridges says that people will go through each stage at their own pace. [1] For example, those who are comfortable with the change will likely move ahead to stage three quickly, while others will linger at stages one or two.

Let's examine each stage in greater detail.

Bridges' Transition Stage 1: Ending, Losing, and Letting Go

People enter this initial stage of transition when you first present them with change. This stage is often marked with resistance and emotional upheaval, because people are being forced to let go of something that they are comfortable with or value highly.

At this stage, people may experience these emotions:

• Disorientation.
• Frustration.
• Uncertainty.
• A sense of loss.

Your team members will need to accept that something is ending before they can begin to accept the new idea. If you don't acknowledge the emotions that people are going through, you'll likely encounter resistance throughout the entire change process.

Guiding People Through Stage One

It's important to acknowledge people's resistance without judgment. Allow them time to reflect on the current situation rather than simply demanding that they let go of it. Encourage everyone to talk about their memories, to express what they will (and won't!) miss, and what they're proud of having achieved. In these conversations, make sure that you listen empathically and communicate openly .

Emphasize how people will be able to apply their accumulated skills, experience, and knowledge once you've implemented the change. Explain how the best parts of the past will be remembered and celebrated, but equally how you'll give people what they need (training and resources, for example) in the new environment.

People often fear what they don't understand, so the more you can educate them about a positive future, and communicate how their knowledge and skills are an essential part of getting there, the likelier they are to move on to the next stage.

Bridges' Transition Stage 2: The Neutral Zone

In this stage, people affected by the change are often confused, uncertain, and impatient. Depending on how well you're managing the change, they may also experience a higher workload as they get used to new systems and new ways of working.

Think of this phase as the bridge between the old and the new – people may still be attached to the old, and it probably won't yet be clear what the new even is.

Here, people might experience:

• Resentment toward the change initiative.
• Low morale and low productivity.
• Anxiety about their role, status or identity.
• Skepticism about the change initiative.

Despite these, this stage can also be one of great creativity, innovation, and renewal. This is a great time to encourage people to try new ways of thinking or working.

Guiding People Through Stage Two

Your guidance is incredibly important as people go through this neutral period. This can be an uncomfortable time, because it can feel like drifting, and it can seem that little progress is being made.

What the change is and where you're headed may be unclear during the neutral zone, so let the team know that it's OK to feel lost or unsettled. Remind them of team goals, and encourage them to talk about what they're feeling.

Meet with your people frequently to give feedback on how they're performing, especially with regard to change. It's also important to set short-term goals during this stage, so that people can experience some quick wins ; this will help to improve motivation as well as giving everyone a positive perception of the change effort.

Also, do what you can to boost morale and continue to remind people of how they can contribute to the success of the change. If required, you may also want to help people manage their workloads, either by deprioritizing some types of work, or by bringing in extra resources.

Bridges' Transition Stage 3: The New Beginning

The last transition stage is a time of acceptance and energy. People have begun to embrace the change initiative. They're building the skills they need to work successfully in the new way, and they're starting to see early wins from their efforts.

At this stage, people are likely to experience:

• High energy.
• Openness to learning.
• Renewed commitment to the group or their role.

Guiding People Through Stage Three

As people begin to adopt the change, it's essential that you help them sustain it. Use techniques like Management by Objectives to link people's personal goals to the long-term objectives of the organization, and regularly highlight stories of success brought about by the change.

Take time to celebrate the change you've all gone through, and reward your team for all its hard work. However, don't become complacent – remember that not everyone will reach this stage at the same time, and that people can slip back to previous stages if they think that the change isn't working.

Don't get impatient or try to push people through to stage three. Instead, do what you can to guide them positively and sensitively through the change process.

Bridges' Transition Model is similar to the Change Curve in that it highlights the feelings that people go through during change. Both models are useful in helping you guide people through change, and they fit together well.

While the model can help you to guide people through change more effectively, it's not a substitute for change management tools such as Kotter's 8-Step Model and Lewin's Change Management Model . Use Bridges' model alongside these tools.

Change consultant William Bridges created the Transition Model in 1979, and developed it with Susan Bridges over the following four decades.

The model highlights the difference between change and transition. Change happens to people. Transition, on the other hand, is internal: it's what happens in people's minds when facing and experiencing change.

You can use the model to understand how people feel as you guide them through change. It has three distinct stages:

Be sure to avoid trying to jump straight to stage 3, as this will likely lead to resistance, distress and only partially effective change.

[1] Bridges, W. (1991, 2003, 2009, 2017) 'Managing Transitions,' Da Capo Lifelong Books, an imprint of Perseus Books, LLC, a subsidiary of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

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33 Transition Words and Phrases

Transitional terms give writers the opportunity to prepare readers for a new idea, connecting the previous sentence to the next one.

Many transitional words are nearly synonymous: words that broadly indicate that “this follows logically from the preceding” include accordingly, therefore, and consequently . Words that mean “in addition to” include moreover, besides, and further . Words that mean “contrary to what was just stated” include however, nevertheless , and nonetheless .

as a result : THEREFORE : CONSEQUENTLY

The executive’s flight was delayed and they accordingly arrived late.

in or by way of addition : FURTHERMORE

The mountain has many marked hiking trails; additionally, there are several unmarked trails that lead to the summit.

at a later or succeeding time : SUBSEQUENTLY, THEREAFTER

Afterward, she got a promotion.

even though : ALTHOUGH

She appeared as a guest star on the show, albeit briefly.

in spite of the fact that : even though —used when making a statement that differs from or contrasts with a statement you have just made

They are good friends, although they don't see each other very often.

in addition to what has been said : MOREOVER, FURTHERMORE

I can't go, and besides, I wouldn't go if I could.

as a result : in view of the foregoing : ACCORDINGLY

The words are often confused and are consequently misused.

in a contrasting or opposite way —used to introduce a statement that contrasts with a previous statement or presents a differing interpretation or possibility

Large objects appear to be closer. Conversely, small objects seem farther away.

used to introduce a statement that is somehow different from what has just been said

These problems are not as bad as they were. Even so, there is much more work to be done.

used as a stronger way to say "though" or "although"

I'm planning to go even though it may rain.

in addition : MOREOVER

I had some money to invest, and, further, I realized that the risk was small.

in addition to what precedes : BESIDES —used to introduce a statement that supports or adds to a previous statement

These findings seem plausible. Furthermore, several studies have confirmed them.

because of a preceding fact or premise : for this reason : THEREFORE

He was a newcomer and hence had no close friends here.

from this point on : starting now

She announced that henceforth she would be running the company.

in spite of that : on the other hand —used when you are saying something that is different from or contrasts with a previous statement

I'd like to go; however, I'd better not.

as something more : BESIDES —used for adding information to a statement

The city has the largest population in the country and in addition is a major shipping port.

all things considered : as a matter of fact —used when making a statement that adds to or strengthens a previous statement

He likes to have things his own way; indeed, he can be very stubborn.

for fear that —often used after an expression denoting fear or apprehension

He was concerned lest anyone think that he was guilty.

in addition : ALSO —often used to introduce a statement that adds to and is related to a previous statement

She is an acclaimed painter who is likewise a sculptor.

at or during the same time : in the meantime

You can set the table. Meanwhile, I'll start making dinner.

BESIDES, FURTHER : in addition to what has been said —used to introduce a statement that supports or adds to a previous statement

It probably wouldn't work. Moreover, it would be very expensive to try it.

in spite of that : HOWEVER

It was a predictable, but nevertheless funny, story.

in spite of what has just been said : NEVERTHELESS

The hike was difficult, but fun nonetheless.

without being prevented by (something) : despite—used to say that something happens or is true even though there is something that might prevent it from happening or being true

Notwithstanding their youth and inexperience, the team won the championship.

if not : or else

Finish your dinner. Otherwise, you won't get any dessert.

more correctly speaking —used to introduce a statement that corrects what you have just said

We can take the car, or rather, the van.

in spite of that —used to say that something happens or is true even though there is something that might prevent it from happening or being true

I tried again and still I failed.

by that : by that means

He signed the contract, thereby forfeiting his right to the property.

for that reason : because of that

This tablet is thin and light and therefore very convenient to carry around.

immediately after that

The committee reviewed the documents and thereupon decided to accept the proposal.

because of this or that : HENCE, CONSEQUENTLY

This detergent is highly concentrated and thus you will need to dilute it.

while on the contrary —used to make a statement that describes how two people, groups, etc., are different

Some of these species have flourished, whereas others have struggled.

NEVERTHELESS, HOWEVER —used to introduce a statement that adds something to a previous statement and usually contrasts with it in some way

It was pouring rain out, yet his clothes didn’t seem very wet.

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A new campus for the homeless has heated sidewalks, apartments and a medical clinic

At a new housing campus in Detroit's Core City, there are heating lamps to warm the covered sidewalks where people can sleep outdoors if they don't want to come inside.

There is an eight-bed respite center for those discharged from the hospital but who still need time to recover.

There is a free medical clinic for community members, a gymnasium, commercial kitchen and donation center to drop off clothing and furniture.

These details are what make the Pope Francis Center's new Bridge Housing Campus a culmination of best practices to address chronic homelessness from across the country brought right to Detroit.

"The homeless generally feel invisible and so we see them and they know we see them and we care about their well-being," said the Rev. Tim McCabe, president and CEO of the Pope Francis Center, during a tour of the long-awaited campus, which is gearing up to open in late June.

The building is designed to help people transition from the streets into housing, McCabe said. The 60,000-square-foot campus, which sits on 5.3 acres of once vacant land, has 40 studio apartments that, for now, will be for single men experiencing homelessness.

More: Family Fare to donate $10,000 to homeless shelters after woman found living inside sign

The Pope Francis Center will assess and determine who will stay in the building by focusing on those who are failing within the traditional system, McCabe said. The center aims to prioritize people the nonprofit sees at its downtown location and already has a list of residents. McCabe expects people to stay between 90 to 120 days before getting into stable housing, but they can remain beyond that, if needed.

The 336-square-foot units include a bathroom and living area with a bed, TV and kitchenette. There are four anti-ligature rooms designed with fixtures to mitigate the risk of suicide, such as a sink with no knobs. There are also bigger rooms on-site for when families arrive.

Housing specialists will help residents identify permanent homes and navigate the challenges that arise even after a person is selected to receive a federal housing choice voucher. They will have continued access to the campus in order to cultivate a sense of family and community, McCabe said.

"People are welcome back here," he said. "This is your home."

The idea behind the campus is to offer wraparound services on-site because addressing homelessness goes beyond securing a roof over one's head. The building will have social workers, addiction specialists and a psychiatrist. It has classroom space for job preparation and financial literacy trainings. There's a barber shop, library, computer lab, art room and a meditation space.

"We understand homelessness as trauma and so our approach is going to be a trauma-informed care approach ― understanding that all homelessness and ... presenting issues, mostly addiction and mental illness, are a result of trauma. They have early childhood trauma, they have complex trauma, they have trauma from becoming homeless," he said.

The complex, apart from the residential area, is open to the broader community.

The CHASS Center will operate a free health clinic at Pope Francis Center's new campus with a doctor, nursing staff and a dental wing for anyone in the neighborhood to access. Residents can use the classroom, cafeteria, kitchen and gym.

A courtyard has overhead heating lamps and can fit about 13 people. It's meant to offer a reprieve for those whose trauma is so severe they are unable to come inside, McCabe said, citing the example of one man who felt nervous around tight spaces and preferred the outdoors. The idea came about after McCabe toured shelters in Orange County and San Antonio with misters and fans to keep people cool and he thought Detroit needed something similar, but for cold weather.

"It's really designed to stop people from freezing to death during the winter," he said. McCabe leads a yearly memorial at the Pope Francis Center honoring those who died while homeless in the city.

In 2022, there were 200 people who were homeless on the streets of Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park, according to a one-night tally conducted by the Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND) in January. Last year, those experiencing unsheltered homelessness were not counted but there were 1,280 people living in shelters or other housing programs. Data for this year's count — meant to provide a snapshot of homelessness in a community and help determine needs and federal funding for programs and services — is not yet available .

The Bridge Housing Campus, located along West Hancock Street, between Lawton Street and the Jeffries Service Drive, has been under construction since 2022 — but in the works for nine years.

McCabe looked at 27 different programs across the country to identify effective models to treat chronic homelessness.

The elements of the building are based on this research, as well as feedback from clients and services providers. Inside the lobby, there is a "hot room," which heats up to 145 degrees to disinfect blankets and clothing as people move in. That was inspired by a shelter in California. Hallways are wide for those dealing with mental illnesses for whom small spaces cause anxiety. Even the colors inside the building are meant to be calming.

The project is a game-changer, McCabe said, and he hopes it will spur a national conversation around the causes and solutions to homelessness, especially as the U.S. Supreme Court decides whether cities can fine and arrest people for sleeping outdoors when there are no shelter beds available.

The Pope Francis Center received a majority of the funding for the Bridge Housing Campus from the California-based Julia Burke Foundation. Other funders include Magna International, the Ford Motor Co., Lear Corp., the state of Michigan and the city of Detroit.

The new project increases Pope Francis Center's operating expenses from around $3 million to $7 million, McCabe said, but he added that he is confident the nonprofit's funding is sustainable enough to support the expansion.

Regular Pope Francis Center services at the nonprofit's downtown location on Saint Antoine Street are expected to continue after the Core City campus opens. The day center provides two meals, laundry and shower facilities, medical, dental and legal clinics and help finding housing, and sees up to 250 people a day.

Contact Nushrat Rahman: [email protected]. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter:  @NushratR .

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2024 Mental Health Essay Contest Awardee: Honorable Mention

Hope to Bridge the Gap

Minsung, georgia.

Mental health affects people in our society in every unique context. Starting from someone who struggles on their school tests, there could be someone experiencing a traumatic event that lasts for a long time. My unique context as an immigrant child has been a significant factor in shaping my mental health journey.

What made me anxious the most was realizing that I was the one leading my family in this unknown world, as my parents were not used to English. At the age of thirteen, I had to call the insurance company for our healthcare to translate it for my parents and order all the menus for my family at a restaurant. The fact that I could not rely on my parents for things truly made me scared and depressed. The anxiety stemming from immigrant parents' ignorance of American society was a big challenge in my old days that often conflicted with my school life as well. Whenever I got in a class, I felt the isolation that my peers gave me, as well as bullying and teasing about my broken English accents. After school every day, I trudged home, shoulders heavy with the weight of cultural and linguistic barriers I faced.

With countless obstacles, the most challenging time of my life was during the COVID-19 pandemic. As an Asian American, I was always used to the vulnerability that I had to face whenever I stepped outside my house. Sharp attention and eyes were always attacking me with full of anger just because of my skin color. This amplified my anxiety and depression from my linguistic barrier and made me often think about what is the point of living in this harsh environment.

However, even with all these hardships, one activity rescued me from staying in my dark room all day: Volunteering. Whenever anxious and sad, I headed to my local church, where I teach Korean to little kids and foreign people who want to learn it. From this valuable experience, my cultural stigma was broken into pieces, as I started to recognize that even though I was not fluent in this language, many other people were not fluent in my proud language. This barrier was not natural, but one I created in my mind. This truly impacted my perspective and gave me the confidence I needed to overcome the mental health stigma. Not only this, but volunteering for other people sincerely gave me a lot of support, especially through the empathy I felt while doing a good deed.

Something big that I realized from my experience was that it wasn’t only myself who was experiencing this mental health stigma and illness around me. Many of my classmates from school, friends from churches, and many non-relatives from my community are experiencing the same problem. To evoke empathy and spread awareness of this issue, I created a non-profit, “Equity Minds,” that aims for equitable mental health care for minorities through activism, advocacy, and diverse campaigns. My Equity Minds consist of virtual campaigns through viral usage of social media apps such as Instagram, Facebook, and especially TikTok for the younger generations. These campaigns motivate us to achieve the goal of “finding a shelter of mental health tips” through activity workshops such as meditation and yoga, guest speakers like professional counselors, and free letter writing to relieve our stress and anxiety.

Other than a campaign, my additional motivation with Equity Minds would be coordinating volunteering for the underrepresented communities suffering from mental health issues. From a minority’s perspective of myself, even with all the challenges, there was always ‘my family’ who supported me, listened to me, and felt empathy with me. Someone being there next to you and helping you truly relaxes you and is a significant method to treat mental illness. From my volunteering experience, I learned that doing a good deed for others will return to you in a greater deed for others. I truthfully believe that volunteering for mental health care inequalities will evoke empathy and could raise awareness of mental health in our community.

What we value the most in our lives is our health. Health includes many aspects, but mental health is a growing challenge for everyone, whether you are rich or poor, American or Korean, or a company CEO or a restaurant employee. We all experience this matter. Through collective efforts, I aim to contribute to our community where mental health care is accessible, equitable, and destigmatized for everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances. Just like what Mahatma Gandhi told the world, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world,” my sincere passion for advocating mental health awareness will be my unique ‘change.’ I believe that my small activities and desire for changes could eventually benefit the community and become a small force to move the world.

My essay explores my perspective on how mental health impacts individuals within diverse societal contexts. As an immigrant child, I share my journey, delving into the challenges of leading a family in an unfamiliar culture, facing linguistic and cultural barriers, and combating anxiety and depression. The narrative reveals my experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the additional vulnerability faced as an Asian American. This essay takes a positive turn as I discover solace and purpose through volunteering, breaking cultural stigmas, and gaining confidence. The creation of my non-profit, "Equity Minds," becomes a powerful tool for advocacy, fostering empathy and awareness through virtual campaigns and community engagement. This essay concludes with a passionate call for accessible, equitable, and destigmatized mental health care, emphasizing my goal to be the change they wish to see in the world.

NIH recognizes these talented essay winners for their thoughtfulness and creativity in addressing youth mental health. These essays are written in the students' own words, are unedited, and do not necessarily represent the views of NIH, HHS, or the federal government.

Page published May 31, 2024

May 2024: NIH Announces Winners of High School Mental Health Essay Contest

Dec. 2023: High School Students Invited to Reflect on Mental Health Stigma in National Essay Contest

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• 28 May 2024

Risks of bridge collapses are real and set to rise — here’s why

• Jose M. Adam 0 ,
• Nirvan Makoond 1 ,
• Belén Riveiro 2 &
• Manuel Buitrago 3

Jose M. Adam is a professor of structural engineering at the Institute of Science and Technology of Concrete (ICITECH), Polytechnic University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Nirvan Makoond is a senior researcher at the Institute of Science and Technology of Concrete (ICITECH), Polytechnic University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.

Belén Riveiro is an associate professor of structural engineering at the Research Centre in Technologies, Energy and Industrial Processes (CINTECX), Applied Geotechnologies Research Group, University of Vigo, Vigo, Spain.

Manuel Buitrago is a senior researcher at the Institute of Science and Technology of Concrete (ICITECH), Polytechnic University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.

Six people in Baltimore, Maryland, were killed after a container ship crashed into and collapsed the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March. Credit: Kevin Dietsch/Getty

You have full access to this article via your institution.

The catastrophic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, on 26 March stunned the public and engineers alike. Six workers lost their lives after a container ship lost power and crashed into one of the bridge supports. The Port of Baltimore and the city’s road-transport network remain hobbled. And serious questions linger about the ineffectiveness of measures for preventing such disasters.

Although an identical scenario is unlikely to happen elsewhere, bridge collapses occur surprisingly often (see ‘Deadly bridge collapses’). In 2018, for example, part of the Polcevera Viaduct in Genoa, Italy, crashed to the ground during a rainstorm, killing 43 people. And many cases don’t make the headlines. In China between 2000 and 2014, for example, more than 300 highway bridge failures caused 564 fatalities and 917 injuries 1 .

Bridges are the most vulnerable and expensive assets of transportation networks. Beyond lives lost and the costs of replacement, the failure of a single bridge can hinder movement of people and goods in a region for months or years. Displaced traffic generates more congestion, pollution, road wear and accidents elsewhere. Delays in the delivery of goods disrupt global supply chains. Economic losses of bridge failures can mount to millions of dollars per day and spiral quickly 2 , 3 . Indirect losses (such as from increased travel time) can be 5–20 times greater than the direct losses 4 .

Source: Analysis by J. M. Adam et al .

Clearly, preventing bridges from collapsing is crucial. However, as bridges age, it becomes increasingly challenging to evaluate and ensure their structural safety. During the long service life of a bridge — typically 100 years — the vehicles and trains crossing them inevitably evolve, imposing loads that can exceed those considered when the bridges were conceived. Long-term changes to vehicles and traffic also expose bridges to collision risks that might not have been considered during design.

Deterioration of materials reduces the strength of structural components and is exacerbated by climate change and heat 5 – 7 . Extreme weather events that are more frequent and intense expose bridges to increased scour from water flow and more landslides and subsidence , with overall impacts that are difficult to predict 8 . Thus, ageing bridges are faced with greater risks and uncertainties that make it harder to evaluate their safety.

What needs to be done? Here we outline the problems and highlight how the world’s bridges can be made safer through better standards, maintenance, preparedness and lessons drawn from other industries.

Update standards

Current safety codes and standards still lack guidance on how to deal with the increasing risks of material deterioration and more frequent extreme events. Most codes focus on the design of new bridges, not on evaluating the safety of old ones. Yet the two scenarios raise different problems.

For example, designing the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge in Turkey, which opened in 2022, required optimizing aerodynamic performance. Ensuring the safety of the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol, UK, which opened in 1864, requires protecting wrought-iron chain links that were manufactured for a previous bridge 180 years ago and understanding past safety interventions from the sparse information that is available.

A few national and international standards do address assessment and retrofitting of existing bridges — such as through technical specifications intended to be used with the first generation of Eurocodes, which are due to be updated next year (see go.nature.com/3wdrmes ). However, these standards cover only general principles to assess current needs for structural interventions, not how to avoid bridge collapses in an uncertain future 9 .

The design of the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge in Turkey, which opened in 2022, required aerodynamic modelling. Credit: Burak Akay/Anadolu Agency/Getty

Methods of evaluation also rely on historical data and trends to characterize loads due to traffic, vehicle impacts and environmental conditions. Yet, these vary widely through time and might not reflect future conditions.

The growing number of cars and trucks on roads means that bridges have to withstand a higher frequency of passage of vehicles, which can accelerate the growth of cracks and failures. Rail traffic is also increasing, as are the weight and length of freight trains. The load-carrying capacity of container ships docking in ports today has increased by almost 1,500% since 1968 (see go.nature.com/4dacdfp ). The force imparted by such enormous vessels if they impact a bridge pier is unstoppable, as Baltimore tragically witnessed.

Global climate models also predict a wide range of possible future scenarios, casting more doubt on how today’s bridges will withstand extreme weather events over their lifetimes 8 .

Thus, bridge safety needs to be evaluated in a more holistic way, by combining comprehensive assessments of risks and data collected on existing bridges 10 .

Cement and steel — nine steps to net zero

This will require four advances. One, more accurate methods to estimate environmental and operational loads that can cope with evolving predictions. Two, better models of how climate change will influence deterioration. Three, harmonized protocols for processing and interpreting data on the structural response of bridges. And four, dynamic decision-support tools that provide timely and relevant information to bridge managers.

Early efforts in this direction are under way. For example, through the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE), bridge specialists are collaborating to propose safety assessment procedures that consider new hazards and to revise methods for assessing the reliability of existing structures. However, such developments are still not enough to change common practice.

Regulatory and standardization processes require agreements between many actors, from policymakers to practitioners. The European Commission is paving the way, and has committed to modernizing standards for the maintenance and control of European transport infrastructure, including bridges. To achieve this, it funded the IM-SAFE project (2020–23; go.nature.com/3qscerw ) to review existing surveying and monitoring technologies and propose data flows for managing structures. Firm commitments from the commission, as well as acceptance of new codes by infrastructure managers, will be crucial for the successful design and release of a new standard in the next decade.

Repair worn bridges

The huge backlog of bridge repairs must be addressed urgently. In the United States alone, more than 46,000 bridges are considered structurally deficient, and some 178 million trips are taken on these bridges every day (see go.nature.com/3k41ztg ). Repair costs have been put at US$125 billion. In Europe, at least 9,000 bridges require strengthening or repair 11 . These are alarming numbers, particularly considering how little data are available on the condition of bridges in other parts of the world.

As well as being cheaper than rebuilding, extending the lifespan of bridges brings environmental benefits. These include reductions in resource consumption, waste generation and carbon dioxide emissions.

Curb hazards and limit failure

Resilience, through better preparedness, is key to preventing catastrophic bridge collapses. In practice, that means that a transport system must be able to keep providing the service if a disruptive event occurs.

Engineers and bridge managers must develop a better understanding of the three stages that lead to structural collapse. These are: occurrence of a hazard; initial failure of a component owing to damage; and the propagation of failures through the structure. Various risk reduction measures are effective at each stage and can be used together to prevent collapse.

Engineers install sensors on a road bridge in Herne, Germany, after finding its girders had bent. Credit: Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa/Alamy

First, policies or interventions can reduce the probability of a hazard occurring. A ship collision, for example, can be mitigated by establishing protective islands around piers. Road and rail traffic can be limited to reduce the chance of overloading. For example, in the United Kingdom, highway authorities must be notified when a vehicle weighing more than 44 tonnes is intended to be used on the public highway because many bridges are unsuitable for such loads.

Second, the probability that a bridge component will fail can be reduced, for example by strengthening piers and through regular inspections. Strengthening components is conceptually straightforward. However, it is often hard to judge what magnitude of load to design against, considering the unpredictability of extreme events over the lifetime of a bridge. Research on future climate trends would improve those assumptions. Besides inspections, sensors can also be installed on bridges to detect the early stages of damage, allowing prompt repairs before component failure.

Third, engineers can prevent the propagation of failures by improving connectivity between components so that loads carried by failed components can be redistributed over the rest of the structure 12 , 13 . Engineers need to better understand how loads would be redistributed for a wider range of bridge types.

The world must rethink plans for ageing oil and gas platforms

Thankfully, the range of sensors and algorithms available for bridge monitoring has expanded greatly in recent years — as have markets for such systems, which are predicted to grow at an annual rate of 12% globally until 2033 (see go.nature.com/3wdjvmn ). Ultrasound or ground-penetrating radar can be used to test material properties and to uncover defects and damages 14 . Fibre-optic sensors can monitor bridge vibrations and deformations 15 . And temperature and humidity sensors can acquire data on environmental and operational conditions.

Research on identifying early damage is mature 16 . But it’s harder to extrapolate from data to anticipate events that can trigger catastrophic failure. This requires computational simulations of possible failure scenarios — such as those being performed in the Pont3 project that we are currently working on. Such tools will help engineers to identify the most likely failure points and key parameters for monitoring, and to define optimal sensor locations to collect the maximum information with minimum resources.

Regulations will also be needed for bridge monitoring systems, which are currently deployed in an ad hoc way. And more must be done to develop automated and user-friendly processes for analysing monitoring data, which remain highly specialized. Researchers must collaborate with the bridge industry to make such practices more mainstream.

Learn from other sectors

Policymakers and the bridge industry should learn from sectors with stringent safety requirements, including the aviation and automobile industries. For instance, whereas a typical car is equipped with more than 100 sensors, and passenger aeroplanes have up to 10,000, most bridges are not monitored at all.

The installation and maintenance of monitoring systems are standardized and regulated in these other sectors; procedures and tools are optimized and tailored to the needs of the industry. Safety certification and inspection protocols for cars and planes are also well harmonized internationally, and the majority of professionals working in these industries are conscious of the importance of these measures. The bridge industry has a long way to go before attaining this level of regulation and clarity.

Overcoming these challenges collaboratively would help to reduce the risk of catastrophic collapse of bridges to a level that is as low as reasonably practicable. Safeguarding our bridges will help to build a resilient society in the face of an uncertain future.

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