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  • Transition Words & Phrases | List & Examples

Transition Words & Phrases | List & Examples

Published on July 19, 2024 by Kayla Anderson Hewitt, MA . Revised on September 13, 2024.

Transition words and phrases are used to connect ideas in your writing and help readers understand your arguments. Also called connecting words , linking words , or transitional words , these words describe the relationship between phrases, sentences, or paragraphs.

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Table of contents

Types and examples of transition words, how to use transition words effectively, common mistakes with transition words, frequently asked questions about transition words.

Transition words can be divided into four categories: sequential, additive, causal, and adversative. These four categories can be further subdivided into more specific functions.

Sequential transition words

Sequential transition words can be used to indicate the order you’re presenting ideas in your essay or an order of events. They are often used in academic writing to orient the reader to the text.

Sequential transition words and phrases
Initiation first of all, to begin with, initially, in the first place, at first , I planned to survey 500 students, but this proved infeasible.
Enumeration first, second, third… There are three questions to consider when analyzing a source: , is the author an expert in the field? , has it been published within the past 10 years? , …
Continuation next, subsequently, before x, after x, , previously, eventually, afterward , I examine the justifications given for not entering the conflict.
Resumption returning to/to return to, to resume, at any rate the nature versus nurture debate, it is evident that …
Summation in summary, as previously stated/mentioned, overall, in conclusion, , in sum, to summarize Milholland (2021) makes a similar point. , the critical consensus is …
Conclusion to conclude (with), finally, at last, as a final point, in conclusion, lastly , we asked participants to rate their overall satisfaction with the product.

Additive transition words

You can use additive transition words to introduce examples or new details. They add to, clarify, or make a comparison with previous text.

Additive transition words and phrases
Introduction for example, for instance, , like, including, particularly, in particular, especially Employees expressed dissatisfaction about many aspects of the company. , Participant A mentioned …
Addition additionally, moreover, furthermore, also, both x and y, , in fact Residents were surprised by the lack of communication. , they expressed anger that …
Similarity likewise, similarly, in the same way, equally Students celebrated the creation of the new major. Faculty were excited about it.
Reference in regard to x, considering x, on the subject of x, concerning x Location and pay scale were mentioned frequently by participants. location, participants described …
Clarification namely, specifically, that is (to say), in other words, more precisely Confirmation bias is the human tendency to interpret events in light of one’s already-held beliefs. , we see what we want to see.
Emphasis Indeed, above all, more/most importantly We need to focus on several goals this quarter. , we should aim to reduce complaints by 10%.

Causal transition words

You can use causal transition words to describe causes and effects.

Causal transition words and phrases
Condition provided that, on the condition that, (even/only) if/when, as long as, inasmuch as, in case, in the event that, otherwise We enrolled teenagers in the study they had parental permission.
Consequence because, as a result (of x), consequently, hence, thus, due to (the fact that), since, , in view of x Pilot study participants indicated unfamiliarity with the term “scaffolding.” , a definition was provided.
Purpose in order to/that, so that, to, for the purpose of, with this in mind, lest Very few vice presidents have had to serve as president. , Acosta’s choice seems less surprising.

Adversative transition words

You can use adversative transition words to indicate a contrast or disagreement with what has come previously.

Conflict however, but, although, , on the other hand, in contrast, where as, conversely, though Kim’s work is bold and colorful. , Levant employs a more muted style.
Dismissal whatever the case, , either way, in any/either event, all the same, at any rate It is not clear whether the CEO’s complaints were related more to style or substance. , the project has been nixed.
Concession nonetheless, nevertheless, even so, x, notwithstanding x, regardless (of x), in spite of x, admittedly, though , Lebens (2022) is correct in her critique of the book’s length. , it is an important work of fiction.
Replacement (or) rather, (or) at least, instead, if not, or (perhaps) even beautiful, the building is awe inspiring.

These lists of transitions are adapted from those created by Prof. Campbell, Prof. Buckhoff, and Prof. Dowell at Michigan State University under a Creative Commons license .

Often, transition words are used to begin a new sentence or clause. They show how the sentence relates to the previous one.

Transition words can also be used in the middle of a clause. When used in this way, you need to pay careful attention to placement.

Example paragraph with and without transition words

The text below contains all of the necessary facts, but it lacks any transition words. This makes it difficult to determine what the connection is between the sentences and what point the writer is trying to make.

Don’t overuse transition words

It is possible to overdo transition words. Not every clause needs an explicit transition. In the example below, the repetition of the same type of linking word feels repetitive.

In this example, it makes the most sense to combine sentences so that fewer linking words are required.

Effective use of transition words involves finding the right balance. Too few transition words can mean a text is difficult to follow, but too many can seem unnatural.

It is easy to make mistakes with transition words and phrases because they often have subtle differences in meaning and grammatical function.

Using transition words incorrectly means that your audience won’t be able to follow your arguments. Identifying some of the more common mistakes can help you be aware of them in your writing.

Creating sentence fragments

Some transition words (e.g., “if,” “because,” “although”) are subordinating conjunctions . They are used to begin dependent clauses , which cannot stand on their own as sentences.

Clauses that start with these words must be attached to an independent clause . When they’re not, they are considered a sentence fragment.

  • We excluded the results from people over age 65 from the analysis. Because there were only two people in this age bracket.

It can be fixed by connecting the dependent clause to the independent clause. The dependent clause can come before or after the independent clause.

  • We excluded the results from people over age 65 from the analysis because there were only two people in this age bracket.
  • Because there were only two people over age 65, we excluded their results from the analysis.

Beginning a sentence with and, so, or also

In academic writing, the words “and,” “so,” and “also” are not used to begin sentences because they are considered too informal.

  • Also , respondents filled out a Likert-scale questionnaire.

This can be fixed by moving the transition word or by using a more formal transition word.

  • Respondents also filled out a Likert-scale questionnaire.
  • Additionally , respondents filled out a Likert-scale questionnaire.

Misuse of therefore

“Therefore” and other causal transition words are used when something follows logically, or is the result of, what has come before. People often misuse “therefore” when there is no cause-and-effect relationship.

  • We asked participants to log the number of minutes of exercise they did each day. Therefore , the average amount of exercise per day was 23 minutes.

This example is illogical because it implies that the average amount of exercise is a result of participants being asked to log their exercise, which is false. In this case, we can delete “therefore” to make the sentence logical.

  • We asked participants to log the number of minutes of exercise they did each day. The average amount of exercise per day was 23 minutes.

Good transition words and phrases for conclusions include:

  • To conclude (with)
  • As a final point
  • In conclusion

The transition you choose will depend on the level of formality of your text and the argument you have made.

Using QuillBot’s Paraphrasing Tool can help you vary your word choice.

Good transition words and phrases to start a paragraph depend on the purpose of the paragraph and how it relates to the previous one.

Transition words to start a paragraph
Introducing a point to begin with, first of all, first (or second or third)
Building on a previous point furthermore, to illustrate, considering , on the subject of , similarly, consequently, returning to
Contrasting with a previous point however, in contrast, on the other hand

QuillBot’s Paraphrasing Tool can help you integrate transition words into your writing.

Good transition words and phrases to show contrast include:

  • In contrast
  • On the other hand

The transition you choose will depend on the level of formality of your text and your sentence structure.

QuillBot’s Paraphraser  can help you vary your word choice.

There are many good transition words and phrases for essays; the choice often depends on what the purpose of the transition is. The table below shows a variety of options.

Transition words for essays
Introducing an idea first (of all), initially, to begin with, in the first place
Concluding finally, in conclusion, lastly, at last, in summary, to sum up, overall
Giving examples for example, for instance, such as, in particular

Good transition words and phrases for the first body paragraph in an essay include:

  • To begin with
  • First of all
  • Considering x
  • On the subject of x

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  • Transition Words & Phrases | List & Examples

Transition Words & Phrases | List & Examples

Published on 20 October 2022 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on 15 March 2023.

Transition words and phrases (also called linking words, connecting words, or transitional words) are used to link together different ideas in your text. They help the reader to follow your arguments by expressing the relationships between different sentences or parts of a sentence.

The proposed solution to the problem did not work. Therefore , we attempted a second solution. However , this solution was also unsuccessful.

For clear writing, it’s essential to understand the meaning of transition words and use them correctly.

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Table of contents

When and how to use transition words, types and examples of transition words, common mistakes with transition words.

Transition words commonly appear at the start of a new sentence or clause (followed by a comma ), serving to express how this clause relates to the previous one.

Transition words can also appear in the middle of a clause. It’s important to place them correctly to convey the meaning you intend.

Example text with and without transition words

The text below describes all the events it needs to, but it does not use any transition words to connect them. Because of this, it’s not clear exactly how these different events are related or what point the author is making by telling us about them.

If we add some transition words at appropriate moments, the text reads more smoothly and the relationship among the events described becomes clearer.

Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. Consequently , France and the United Kingdom declared war on Germany. The Soviet Union initially worked with Germany in order to partition Poland. However , Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941.

Don’t overuse transition words

While transition words are essential to clear writing, it’s possible to use too many of them. Consider the following example, in which the overuse of linking words slows down the text and makes it feel repetitive.

In this case the best way to fix the problem is to simplify the text so that fewer linking words are needed.

The key to using transition words effectively is striking the right balance. It is difficult to follow the logic of a text with no transition words, but a text where every sentence begins with a transition word can feel over-explained.

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There are four main types of transition word: additive, adversative, causal, and sequential. Within each category, words are divided into several more specific functions.

Remember that transition words with similar meanings are not necessarily interchangeable. It’s important to understand the meaning of all the transition words you use. If unsure, consult a dictionary to find the precise definition.

Additive transition words

Additive transition words introduce new information or examples. They can be used to expand upon, compare with, or clarify the preceding text.

Function Example sentence Transition words and phrases
Addition We found that the mixture was effective. , it appeared to have additional effects we had not predicted. indeed, furthermore, moreover, additionally, and, also, both and , not only but also , , in fact
Introduction Several researchers have previously explored this topic. , Smith (2014) examined the effects of … such as, like, particularly, including, as an illustration, for example, for instance, in particular, to illustrate, especially, notably
Reference The solution showed a high degree of absorption. , it is reasonable to conclude that … considering , regarding , in regard to , as for , concerning , the fact that , on the subject of
Similarity It was not possible to establish a correlation between these variables. , the connection between and remains unclear … similarly, in the same way, by the same token, in like manner, equally, likewise
Clarification The patient suffered several side effects, increased appetite, decreased libido, and disordered sleep. that is (to say), namely, specifically, more precisely, in other words

Adversative transition words

Adversative transition words always signal a contrast of some kind. They can be used to introduce information that disagrees or contrasts with the preceding text.

Function Example sentence Transition words and phrases
Conflict The novel does deal with the theme of family. , its central theme is more broadly political … but, however, although, though, equally, by way of contrast, while, on the other hand, (and) yet, whereas, in contrast, (when) in fact, conversely, whereas
Concession Jones (2011) argues that the novel reflects Russian politics of the time. this is correct, other aspects of the text must also be considered. even so, nonetheless, nevertheless, even though, on the other hand, admittedly, despite , notwithstanding , (and) still, although, , regardless (of ), (and) yet, though, granted
Dismissal It remains unclear which of these hypotheses is correct. , it can be inferred that … regardless, either way, whatever the case, in any/either event, in any/either case, at any rate, all the same
Emphasis The chemical is generally thought to have corrosive properties. , several studies have supported this hypothesis. above all, indeed, more/most importantly
Replacement The character of Godfrey is often viewed as selfish, self-absorbed. (or) at least, (or) rather, instead, or (perhaps) even, if not

Causal transition words

Causal transition words are used to describe cause and effect. They can be used to express purpose, consequence, and condition.

Function Example sentence Transition words and phrases
Consequence Hitler failed to respond to the British ultimatum, France and the UK declared war on Germany. therefore, because (of ), as a result (of ), for this reason, in view of , as, owing to x, due to (the fact that), since, consequently, in consequence, as a consequence, hence, thus, so (that), accordingly, so much (so) that, under the/such circumstances, if so
Condition We qualified survey responses as positive the participant selected “agree” or “strongly agree.” , results were recorded as negative. (even/only) if/when, on (the) condition that, in the case that, granted (that), provided/providing that, in case, in the event that, as/so long as, unless, given that, being that, inasmuch/insofar as, in that case, in (all) other cases, if so/not, otherwise
Purpose We used accurate recording equipment our results would be as precise as possible. to, in order to/that, for the purpose of, in the hope that, so that, to the end that, lest, with this in mind, so as to, so that, to ensure (that)

Sequential transition words

Sequential transition words indicate a sequence, whether it’s the order in which events occurred chronologically or the order you’re presenting them in your text. They can be used for signposting in academic texts.

Function Example sentence Transition words and phrases
Enumeration This has historically had several consequences: , the conflict is not given the weight of other conflicts in historical narratives. , its causes are inadequately understood. , … first, second, third…
Initiation , I want to consider the role played by women in this period. in the first place, initially, first of all, to begin with, at first
Continuation , I discuss the way in which the country’s various ethnic minorities were affected by the conflict. subsequently, previously, eventually, next, before , afterwards, after , then
Conclusion , I consider these two themes in combination. to conclude (with), as a final point, eventually, at last, last but not least, finally, lastly
Resumption my main argument, it is clear that … to return/returning to , to resume, at any rate
Summation Patel (2015) comes to a similar conclusion. , the four studies considered here suggest a consensus that the solution is effective. as previously stated/mentioned, in summary, as I have argued, overall, as has been mentioned, to summarise, briefly, given these points, in view of , as has been noted, in conclusion, in sum, altogether, in short

Transition words are often used incorrectly. Make sure you understand the proper usage of transition words and phrases, and remember that words with similar meanings don’t necessarily work the same way grammatically.

Misused transition words can make your writing unclear or illogical. Your audience will be easily lost if you misrepresent the connections between your sentences and ideas.

Confused use of therefore

“Therefore” and similar cause-and-effect words are used to state that something is the result of, or follows logically from, the previous. Make sure not to use these words in a way that implies illogical connections.

  • We asked participants to rate their satisfaction with their work from 1 to 10. Therefore , the average satisfaction among participants was 7.5.

The use of “therefore” in this example is illogical: it suggests that the result of 7.5 follows logically from the question being asked, when in fact many other results were possible. To fix this, we simply remove the word “therefore.”

  • We asked participants to rate their satisfaction with their work from 1 to 10. The average satisfaction among participants was 7.5.

Starting a sentence with also , and , or so

While the words “also,” “and,” and “so” are used in academic writing, they are considered too informal when used at the start of a sentence.

  • Also , a second round of testing was carried out.

To fix this issue, we can either move the transition word to a different point in the sentence or use a more formal alternative.

  • A second round of testing was also carried out.
  • Additionally , a second round of testing was carried out.

Transition words creating sentence fragments

Words like “although” and “because” are called subordinating conjunctions . This means that they introduce clauses which cannot stand on their own. A clause introduced by one of these words should always follow or be followed by another clause in the same sentence.

The second sentence in this example is a fragment, because it consists only of the “although” clause.

  • Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed. Although other researchers disagree.

We can fix this in two different ways. One option is to combine the two sentences into one using a comma. The other option is to use a different transition word that does not create this problem, like “however.”

  • Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed, although other researchers disagree.
  • Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed. However , other researchers disagree.

And vs. as well as

Students often use the phrase “ as well as ” in place of “and,” but its usage is slightly different. Using “and” suggests that the things you’re listing are of equal importance, while “as well as” introduces additional information that is less important.

  • Chapter 1 discusses some background information on Woolf, as well as presenting my analysis of To the Lighthouse .

In this example, the analysis is more important than the background information. To fix this mistake, we can use “and,” or we can change the order of the sentence so that the most important information comes first. Note that we add a comma before ‘as well as’ but not before ‘and’.

  • Chapter 1 discusses some background information on Woolf and presents my analysis of To the Lighthouse .
  • Chapter 1 presents my analysis of To the Lighthouse , as well as discussing some background information on Woolf.

Note that in fixed phrases like “both x and y ,” you must use “and,” not “as well as.”

  • Both my results as well as my interpretations are presented below.
  • Both my results and my interpretations are presented below.

Use of and/or

The combination of transition words “and/or” should generally be avoided in academic writing. It makes your text look messy and is usually unnecessary to your meaning.

First consider whether you really do mean “and/or” and not just “and” or “or.” If you are certain that you need both, it’s best to separate them to make your meaning as clear as possible.

  • Participants were asked whether they used the bus and/or the train.
  • Participants were asked whether they used the bus, the train, or both.

Archaic transition words

Words like “hereby,” “therewith,” and most others formed by the combination of “here,” “there,” or “where” with a preposition are typically avoided in modern academic writing. Using them makes your writing feel old-fashioned and strained and can sometimes obscure your meaning.

  • Poverty is best understood as a disease. Hereby , we not only see that it is hereditary, but acknowledge its devastating effects on a person’s health.

These words should usually be replaced with a more explicit phrasing expressing how the current statement relates to the preceding one.

  • Poverty is best understood as a disease. Understanding it as such , we not only see that it is hereditary, but also acknowledge its devastating effects on a person’s health.

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Transition Words and Phrases in English

the ultimate transitions guide

Imagine a road with no street signs to point the way. How would you follow the right route if you didn’t have a sign showing you which way to go?

Words and phrases like similarly , nevertheless , in order to , likewise , and as a result show the relationships between your ideas and can help illustrate agreement, contrast, or cause and effect.

What Are Transition Words?

Transition words are the road signs in writing. They help readers follow your train of thought without becoming bogged down trying to discern your meaning.

When used correctly, they keep up the flow of your writing as you shift in meaning, tone, and ideas from one sentence or paragraph to another. Transition words clarify the relationship between what you just said and what you're about to say for your readers.

Here’s an example of a well-placed transition:

  • Original: The boy kicked the ball into the street. A speeding car came around the corner.
  • Rewrite: The boy kicked the ball into the street. At the same moment, a speeding car came around the corner.

The rewrite uses a transition phrase to show when the event happened. We see the action in a wider lens: the ball goes into the street just as a car comes careening around the corner. The first illustration is short and choppy. It doesn’t flow well. The rewrite leads you smoothly between two related, but different thoughts.

The addition of at the same moment also clarifies the connection between the ideas for the reader. Since we know these events are connected and happening at the same time, we feel more tension for what's about to happen.

transitional words examples

Transitional Words Examples: Fiction

Let’s take a look at some of these words in context to better examine how they work.

Fiction Transitions Example 1:

Take the following two sentences. Which one reads more fluidly?

  • Mark tended to avoid the campus dining hall where his former friends hung out. He loved its food.
  • Mark tended to avoid the campus dining hall where his former friends hung out, although he loved its food.

In the second construction, you understand how the two ideas are related. The first construction reads as choppy, two disparate ideas connected solely by proximity. By adding the transition word although and combining the two sentences, the second construction makes it clear that avoiding the dining hall had consequences for Mark. It gives more meaning to both sentences.

two sentences from above, one with a transition one without

Fiction Transitions Example 2:

Here’s another example of transition word usage in fiction writing:

  • Mindy thought her mother was over-reacting to her predicament. She waited two days after the first phone call to visit.
  • Mindy thought her mother was over-reacting to her predicament. So, she waited two days after the first phone call to visit.

The use of so in the second construction makes clear to the reader that the gap in time between the call and the visit was a direct result of the over-reaction.

Transitional Words Examples: Non-Fiction

Transitions don’t just help fiction readers. Let’s take a look at how you can use transitions to improve your non-fiction writing.

Non-Fiction Transitions Example 1:

Take the following two constructions. Which one reads more fluidly?

  • Marketing numbers have performed worse than we expected this year. We will be hiring a marketing consultant.
  • Marketing numbers have performed worse than we expected this year, so we’ll be hiring a marketing consultant.

In the second construction, you understand how the two ideas are related. You see straight away that the poor marketing results are the direct reason for hiring a marketing consultant. By adding this connection, the relationship between the two ideas becomes clear. Similarly, the second version flows better and feels less self-contained.

Non-Fiction Transitions Example 2:

Here’s another example of transition word usage in non-fiction writing:

  • The recent rise in oil pricing has made gas more expensive for consumers. Food prices have skyrocketed.
  • The recent rise in oil pricing has made gas more expensive for consumers. Similarly, food prices have skyrocketed.

The use of similarly in the second construction makes it clear that there’s a relationship between the two ideas. The first construction feels disconnected since one sentence focuses on gas prices and another on food. The second construction makes it clear that the two ideas are related based on how they affect prices for consumers.

What Are the 6 Examples of Transitions?

What makes these phrases different from other words? They all move your writing from one idea to another.

The specific word or phrase you choose for your writing will depend on the type of transition you want to make. Each category of transition has multiple words or phrases you can choose from. Later in this article, we’ll show you hundreds of transition words or phrases to suit every need.

the six types of transition words with definitions

Before we get to the ultimate list of examples, let’s take a look at the categories.

Cause and effect: Show how two ideas are connected.

  • I’m tired, so I’m going to bed.

Contrast: Show differences between two or more ideas.

  • I hate most desserts. However, I love cookies.

Example and Emphasis: Introduce examples that help highlight or explain a previous point, or to add strength to a particular idea.

  • I have a lot of fears. For instance, I’m terrified of spiders.

Addition & Enumeration: Break down, draw connections to, or add more support to an existing idea.

  • Today, I’m going to do my homework. In addition, I’m going to clean my room.

Time: Explain how two or more ideas are related in time.

  • Mary-Ann went out, looking for a bright new world. Meanwhile, Wanda looked all around their hometown and all she found was Earl.

Conclusion: Introduce a final point or summarize information.

  • In conclusion, I deserve a new car because I’ve done all my chores for the month.

How ProWritingAid Can Help You with Transition Words

Clear, readable writing tends to use around 25% transition phrases. Of course this isn't set in stone—but if you have considerably fewer than this in your document, you may be losing your reader.

ProWritingAid's Transitions Report highlights all of the transition words in your document so you can see how your writing flows.

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What Are Some Examples of Transition Words?

Looking for examples of transition words you can use in your writing? Look no further! We’ve put together the ultimate list with hundreds of examples you can use.

On to the list!

Cause and Effect Transition Phrases

Also known as condition or purpose transitions, these words and phrases explain how ideas are related.

cause and effect transition words examples

if
then
therefore
thus
unless
given that
when
whenever
while
in view of
because of
accordingly
in the event that
granted (that)
as/so long as
on (the) condition (that)
for the purpose of
with this intention
with this in mind
in the hope that
to the end that
for fear that
in order to
therefore
in case
provided that
given that
only/even if
so that
so as to
owing to
inasmuch as
due to
hence
as
since

Contrast Transition Words

If you have two differing ideas, contrast transitions help to set up those differences.

in contrast
different from
of course ..., but
on the other hand
on the contrary
at the same time
in spite of
even so/though
be that as it may
then again
but
(and) still
unlike
or
(and) yet
while
albeit
besides
as much as
even though
although
instead
whereas
despite
conversely
otherwise
however
rather
nevertheless
nonetheless

Example and Emphasis Transition Words

Example and emphasis transition words and phrases explain or give more information about a previously introduced idea. Sometimes known as clarification transitions, these words help make your meaning more clear.

example and emphasis transition phrases examples

notably
including
like
to be sure
namely
chiefly
truly
indeed
certainly
surely
in other words
to put it differently
for one thing
as an illustration
in this case
for this reason
to put it another way
that is to say
with attention to
by all means
in fact
in general
in particular
in detail
for example
for instance
to demonstrate
to emphasize
to repeat
to clarify

Addition and Enumeration Transition Words

Also known as agreement or similarity transitions, these words express agreement and reinforce relationships and ideas that came before.

moreover
as well as
together with
of course
likewise
comparatively
correspondingly
similarly
furthermore
additionally
equally important
again
to
and
also
then
equally
identically
uniquely
like
as
too
in the first place
not only ... but also
as a matter of fact
in like manner
in addition
coupled with
in the same fashion/way
first, second, third
in the light of
not to mention
to say nothing of

Time Transition Words

Time transition words help define time in your writing. They explain how your ideas relate when it comes to time.

time transitional words examples

at the present time
from time to time
sooner or later
at the same time
up to the present time
to begin with
in due time
as soon as
as long as
in the meantime
in a moment
without delay
in the first place
after
later
last
until
till
since
then
before
hence
since
when
once
about
henceforth
whenever
eventually
meanwhile
further
during
in time
prior to
forthwith
straightaway
immediately
by the time
whenever

Conclusion Transitions

As you reach the end of an idea or or group of ideas, conclusion transitions can help introduce your final point or summarize previous information.

as can be seen
generally speaking
in the final analysis
all things considered
as shown above
in the long run
given these points
as has been noted
in a word
for the most part
after all
in fact
in summary
in conclusion
in short
in brief
in essence
to summarize
on balance
altogether
by and large
to sum up
on the whole
in any event
in either case
all in all
usually
obviously
ultimately
definitely

How to Use Transition Words More Effectively

Using transition words and phrases isn’t always as easy as it looks. Here are some best practices to keep in mind so that you can effectively use transition words.

1. Understand the relationship between your ideas

The better you understand the relationships between the ideas in your text, the more effectively you’ll be able to wield transition words and phrases. The relationships between your ideas will help you understand which you should pick.

2. Know your transition words

Different transitions are appropriate in different contexts. Don’t just pick a random transition to use. Make sure the one you’ve chosen is appropriate for what you’re trying to say. Also, don’t be afraid to try out a new transition word from the list we’ve provided above. Just like in other types of writing, repetitive language can be boring for your readers. Try out new transition words (as long as they’re the right type) to increase the interest of your writing.

2 transition tips: understand relationships between ideas and know transition categories

How ProWritingAid Helps You Improve Transition Words and Phrases in Your Writing

Since transitions help to organize your ideas and demonstrate connections, it’s important to include them in your writing to make it more clear. ProWritingAid can help. Our software analyzes your writing to determine whether or not you’ve used transitions appropriately in your work.

Depending on what you’re writing, you can find your Transitions score in two places: your goals and the Transition Report.

ProWritingAid knows that different genres require different amounts and types of transitions, so your suggested transition percentage changes depending on what you’re writing. If you’re working on an academic paper, for instance, transitional phrases are important to improving understanding. So you’ll find a goal for transitions in your sidebar.

On the other hand, formal transitions are less common in some types of fiction writing, so you may not see this goal if you’re working on say, a crime novel.

You can always find your score, regardless of what you’re writing, by running the Transition Report. The ProWritingAid Transition Report will scan your writing and give you a “transitions score." This measures the percentage of your sentences that begin with a transition word.

prowritingaid software highlighting all transition words at the start of sentences in a piece of text

Check your transitions with a free ProWritingAid account.

Transitions: The Links Between Ideas

To conclude, great transitions lead to more sophisticated structure. (See what we did there with that transition?!)

Adding transitions to your writing creates clear connections for your readers. By adding transitions, you’ll help your readers better understand what you’re trying to say.

Happy writing!

Common Questions about Transition Words and Phrases in English

Transition usage, learn more about grammar:.

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The Professional Writer’s List of Transition Words & Phrases

Clifford Chi

Updated: July 24, 2019

Published: November 26, 2018

Talking to someone who constantly jumps from one unrelated topic to the next is a strange experience. The entire conversation seems random and unfocused, which makes it hard to stay engaged, and easy to say, “I gotta go”.

transition words for essays new paragraph

Needless to say, it’s annoying to talk to people who try to engage you with choppy conversations -- and it’s just as irritating in writing. If you abruptly hop from one point to another, you’ll throw your readers off and confuse them, increasing the likelihood that they’ll abandon your piece.

To avoid losing your audience’s attention when moving from one point to another, you need to weave your ideas and thoughts together with transitions. These logical connections between different sections in your writing give your audience a train of thought to follow, boosting the odds that they’ll pay their undivided attention to your piece.

To help you thread your writing together and better engage an audience, we’ve compiled a list of the best transition words and phrases to include in your pieces. Whether you want to know the best transitions for linking separate paragraphs together or ending paragraphs with an emotional punch, we’ve listed some effective options below.

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The Professional Writer’s List of Transition Words and Phrases

Additional evidence.

To bolster your ideas with additional support or information, consider using the following transitions:

  • In addition

Here’s an example of this type of transition in use:

“Early adopters can provide a lot of helpful feedback about a product’s or technology’s pros and cons. They also inject these companies with revenue that funds the research and development needed to enhance the product or technology enough to gain widespread adoption.”

To compare multiple thoughts or ideas, consider using the following transitions:

  • By the same token
  • In a similar fashion

“ Just like Facebook Instant Articles, which lets users read articles without leaving Facebook’s mobile app, Google will host AMP pages on its own servers and serve up the content directly on its site.”

To contrast multiple ideas or thoughts, consider using the following transitions:

  • On the other hand
  • At the same time
  • Even though
  • In spite of

“As jobs become more specialized in today’s workforce, it seems logical to hone a specific skill set, especially during school. But only learning the skills that match the exact requirements of a job today might not prepare you for your job tomorrow.”

To describe something that happened, happens, or will happen during a certain time frame, consider using the following transitions:

  • Immediately
  • Simultaneously

“ Nowadays , writing a letter can seem completely archaic. I mean, do people even send mail anymore? Or do they only communicate through email and messaging?”

To describe two things happening at the same time, consider using the following transitions:

“Clifford sat alone and depressed in detention. Meanwhile , his friends were having a blast playing football at the common ground.”

Clarification

To spell out a complicated concept, consider using the following transitions:

  • In other words
  • To rephrase
  • To put it another way

“The term “Bitcoin mining” is really just a clever metaphor for the intricate proof-of-work system that gives people bitcoins in exchange for validating the cryptocurrency’s transactions. In other words , the reason why people mine Bitcoin and how they actually do it is complicated.”

Exemplification

To help your readers grasp an abstract concept, try using the following transitions to provide them with a concrete example:

  • To illustrate
  • To demonstrate
  • For instance
  • For example

“Even if experiences end like your relationships with material objects do, they’ll always be a part of your story, allowing you to bond with other people who’ve shared similar experiences. For instance , who do you think you’ll connect with on a deeper level -- someone who also studied abroad in Scotland during college or someone who wears the same Apple Watch as you?”

Identification

To highlight a distinct attribute of your idea or thought, consider using the following transitions:

  • Specifically
  • Particularly

“If brands truly want to rise from the ashes of the retail apocalypse, they must stay laser-focused on adapting to the evolution of this technology and their customers' preferences. More specifically , they need to embrace change and prepare for the upcoming trends that will transform their industry in 2019.”

To emphasize a thought or idea you just previously stated, consider using the following transitions:

  • More importantly

“When the World Wide Web launched in 1991, most people thought it would fizzle out in a few years. Experts considered it to be a shiny, new fad that no one was really using. In fact , only six countries in the world had more than one internet user per 100 people that year.”

To spotlight the root cause of something happening, consider using the following transitions:

“Strong call-to-actions are a crucial element of a persuasive business letter -- because if you don't tell your reader what to do next, you might as well have never written your letter in the first place.”

To call attention to the consequence of the root cause of something, consider using the following transitions:

  • As a result
  • Subsequently
  • Consequently

“A lot of professionals overlook the importance of writing high-quality business letters because they seem outdated. As a result , most people don’t actually know how to write one.”

To flow from one related topic to another, try referencing the previous topic by using the following transitions:

  • With this in mind
  • On the subject of
  • Considering

“Inlinking with clear, concise, and relevant anchor text can reinforce the topical connection between certain posts in Google’s eyes and help all of those posts rank better. With this in mind , anchor text is nothing to gloss over, so let’s learn more about what exactly anchor text is, why it’s important, and the different types of anchor text."

Summary/Conclusion

To summarize or conclude a paragraph, consider using the following transitions:

  • In a nutshell
  • To put it briefly

“Traveling make you more open to new experiences, which increases your willingness to try new things in the future. It also increases your brain’s capacity and attentiveness in future situations that are new and challenging. In a nutshell , traveling strengthens your desire and ability to learn new skills.”

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Paragraphs: Transitions

Transitions.

The strength of any argument largely hinges on the writer's ability to make clear connections between his or her assessments, assertions, and research. This means that every sentence needs to rely on the previous sentence and contribute to the next. After all, this sort of logic-based linking is what ultimately guides your reader from one idea to the next and explains the relationships between your research and assessments.

In the links below, you will find a list of possible connections or relationships writers frequently make in their papers. By clicking on these links, you can read a list of transitional terms that highlight these specific kinds of relationships between the research a writer has drawn upon and the assessments, or assertions he or she is making. In addition, each link includes a list of examples indicating the use of a successful transitional word or phrase.

Transitions Video Playlist

Note that these videos were created while APA 6 was the style guide edition in use. There may be some examples of writing that have not been updated to APA 7 guidelines.

  • Academic Paragraphs: Introduction to Paragraphs and the MEAL Plan (video transcript)
  • Academic Paragraphs: Types of Transitions Part 1: Transitions Between Paragraphs (video transcript)
  • Academic Paragraphs: Types of Transitions Part 2: Transitions Within Paragraphs (video transcript)
  • Academic Paragraphs: Appropriate Use of Explicit Transitions (video transcript)
  • Engaging Writing: Incorporating Transitions (video transcript)
  • Engaging Writing: Examples of Incorporating Transitions (video transcript)

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COMMENTS

  1. 92 Essay Transition Words to Know, With Examples

    Abruptly switching topics in essays can be jarring; however, transition words can smooth the change for the convenience of the reader.Moreover, you can use essay transition words to start a paragraph, sentence, or clause more naturally.Additionally, essay transition words can connect new information to the previous statement so you don't have to say everything at once.

  2. Transition Words & Phrases

    Transition Words & Phrases | List & Examples. Published on July 19, 2024 by Kayla Anderson Hewitt, MA.Revised on September 13, 2024. Transition words and phrases are used to connect ideas in your writing and help readers understand your arguments. Also called connecting words, linking words, or transitional words, these words describe the relationship between phrases, sentences, or paragraphs.

  3. Transition Words & Phrases

    Transitions give your writing coherence. They're like road signs, guiding readers through your thoughts. Below are some common transitions, categorized by the type of relationship they describe. While the examples within each category are similar, they are NOT interchangeable. Be sure the transition you're using suits your meaning.

  4. 8 Types of Transition Words and How to Use Them

    Having a list of transition words means you'll be able to weave your sentences together smoothly. Read on to commit these lists to memory!

  5. Transition Words & Phrases

    Example sentence. Transition words and phrases. Addition. We found that the mixture was effective. Moreover, it appeared to have additional effects we had not predicted. indeed, furthermore, moreover, additionally, and, also, both x and y, not only x but also y, besides x, in fact. Introduction.

  6. Transition Words and Phrases in English

    A speeding car came around the corner. Rewrite: The boy kicked the ball into the street. At the same moment, a speeding car came around the corner. The rewrite uses a transition phrase to show when the event happened. We see the action in a wider lens: the ball goes into the street just as a car comes careening around the corner.

  7. The Professional Writer's List of Transition Words & Phrases

    Altogether. After all. Ultimately. Here's an example of this type of transition in use: "Traveling make you more open to new experiences, which increases your willingness to try new things in the future. It also increases your brain's capacity and attentiveness in future situations that are new and challenging.

  8. Transitions

    Transitions. The strength of any argument largely hinges on the writer's ability to make clear connections between his or her assessments, assertions, and research. This means that every sentence needs to rely on the previous sentence and contribute to the next. After all, this sort of logic-based linking is what ultimately guides your reader ...

  9. Transition Words and Phrases Examples

    These are the transition words that bring paragraphs, arguments, and pieces of writing to a close. They can also be used to summarize and restate ideas. These transition phrases and words include: in summary. in conclusion. to conclude. in any event. in either case. overall.

  10. These Good Transition Words Will Make Your Writing Flawless

    Practical Applications of Good Transition Words Good Transition Words in Essays. In essays, transition words are used to connect different ideas and paragraphs. They help to create a logical flow of ideas and make the essay easier to read. Here are some examples of transition words that are commonly used in essays:

  11. How to Use Transition Sentences for Smoother Writing

    Here are a few more examples of transition sentences at work: Employees who've returned to the office reported higher productivity levels since switching to a four-day week. Similarly, remote employees have also reported they're more productive with the new schedule. First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.