Transition Words and Phrases
It is
essential to understand how transition words, as a part of
speech, can be used to combine ideas in writing - and thus ensure that ideas
within sentences and paragraphs are elegantly connected - for the benefit of
the reader. This will help to improve your writing (e.g.
essay, comment, summary (scientific) review, (research) paper, letter,
abstract, report, thesis, etc.). It is also fundamental to be aware of the
sometimes subtle meaning of transition words within the English
language.
 |
| Let's sing! |
List of Transition Words
This
structured list of commonly used English connecting words —
approximately 200, can be considered as quasi complete. It can be used (by
students and teachers alike) to find the right expression. English transition
words are essential, since they not only connect ideas, but also can introduce
a certain shift, contrast or opposition, emphasis or agreement, purpose, result
or conclusion, etc. in the line of argument.
The transition words and phrases have been assigned only once to
somewhat artificial categories, although some words belong to more than one
category. There is some overlapping with preposition and postposition, but for
the purpose of clarity and completeness of this concise guide, I did not
differentiate.
1) Agreement / Addition / Similarity
The transition words like also,
in addition, and, likewise, add, information, reinforce ideas,
and express agreement with preceding material.
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
equally
important
by
the same token
again
to
and
also
then
equally
identically
uniquely
like
as
too
moreover
as
well as
together
with
of
course
likewise
comparatively
correspondingly
similarly
furthermore
additionally
2) Opposition / Limitation / Contradiction
Transition phrases like but,
rather and or, express that there is evidence to
the contrary or point out alternatives, and thus introduce a
change the line of reasoning (contrast).
although this may be true
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
above
all
in
reality
after
all
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
regardless
notwithstanding
3) Cause / Condition / Purpose
These transitional phrases
present specific conditions or intentions.
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
seeing
/ being that
in
view of
If
...
then
unless
when
whenever
while
because
of
as
since
while
lest
in
case
provided
that
given
that
only
/ even if
so
that
so
as to
owing
to
inasmuch
as
due to
4) Examples / Support / Emphasis
These transitional devices
(like especially) are used to introduce examples as support,
to indicate importance or as an illustration so that an idea is
cued to the reader.
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
important
to realize
another
key point
first
thing to remember
most
compelling evidence
must
be remembered
point
often overlooked
to
point out
on
the positive / negative side
with
this in mind
notably
including
like
to
be sure
namely
chiefly
truly
indeed
certainly
surely
markedly
especially
specifically
expressively
surprisingly
frequently
significantly
in
fact
in
general
in
particular
in
detail
for
example
for
instance
to
demonstrate
to
emphasize
to
repeat
to
clarify
to
explain
to
enumerate
such
as
5) Effect / Consequence / Result
Some of these transition words
(thus, then, accordingly, consequently, therefore, henceforth)
are time words that are used to show that after a particular time
there was a consequence or an effect. Note that, for and because
are placed before the cause/reason. The other devices are placed before the
consequences or effects.
as a
result
under
those circumstances
in
that case
for
this reason
for
thus
because
the
then
hence
consequently
therefore
thereupon
forthwith
accordingly
henceforth
6) Conclusion / Summary / Restatement
These transition words and
phrases conclude, summarize and / or restate ideas, or
indicate a final general statement. Also some words (like therefore)
from the Effect / Consequence category can be used to summarize.
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
overall
ordinarily
usually
by
and large
to
sum up
on
the whole
in
any event
in
either case
all in all
7) Time / Chronology / Sequence
These transitional words (like
finally) have the function of limiting, restricting, and defining
time. They can be used either alone or as part of adverbial
expressions.
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
until
now
now that
as
soon as
as
long as
in
the meantime
in a
moment
without
delay
in
the first place
all
of a sudden
at
this instant
immediately
quickly
finally
after
later
last
until
till
since
then
before
hence
when
once
about
next
now
formerly
suddenly
shortly
henceforth
whenever
eventually
meanwhile
further
during
first,
second
in
time
prior
to
forthwith
straightaway
by
the time
whenever
instantly
presently
occasionally
Many transition words in the time category (consequently; first, second, third; further; hence; henceforth; since; then, when; and whenever) have other uses.
Except for the numbers (first,
second, third) and further they add a meaning of time
in expressing conditions, qualifications, or reasons. The numbers are also used
to add information or list examples. Further is
also used to indicate added space as well as added time.
8) Space / Location / Place
These transition words are
often used as part of adverbial expressions and have the function
to restrict, limit or qualify space. Quite a few of these are also found
in the Time category and can be used to describe spatial order or
spatial reference.
in the middle
to
the left/right
in
front of
on
this side
in
the distance
here
and there
in
the foreground
in the background
in
the center of
adjacent
to
opposite
to
here
there
next
where
from
over
near
above
below
down
up
under
further
beyond
nearby
wherever
around
between
before
alongside
amid
among
beneath
beside
behind
across
No comments:
Post a Comment