As a "part of speech" transition words are used to link words, phrases or sentences.

They help the

reader to progress from one idea (expressed by the author) to the next idea. Thus, they help to build up
coherent relationships within the text.

Transitional Words

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 - identically

- not only ... but also - like
- as a matter of fact - as
- in addition - moreover
- in the same fashion / way - as well as
- first, second, third - together with
- not to mention - of course
- equally important - similarly
- also - furthermore
- equally - additionally

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 - after all

- in contrast - unlike
- different from - while
- of course ..., but - besides
- on the other hand - as much as
- on the contrary - even though
- at the same time - although
- in spite of - conversely
- even so / though - otherwise
- be that as it may - however
- in reality - regardless
Cause / Condition / Purpose
These transitional phrases present specific conditions or intentions.

- in the event that - because of

- granted (that) - as
- as / so long as - since
- with this in mind - while
- in the hope that - in case
- in order to - provided that
- seeing / being that - given that
- If - only / even if
- ... then - so that
- unless - so as to
- when - due to
- while

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 - indeed

- for one thing - certainly
- in this case - such as
- for this reason - especially
- to put it another way - specifically
- that is to say - surprisingly
- important to realize - significantly
- another key point - particularly
- most compelling evidence - in fact
- to point out - in general
- on the positive side - in particular
- on the negative side - in detail
- with this in mind - for example
- notably - for instance
- namely - to emphasize
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 - because the

- under those circumstances - then
- in that case - hence
- for this reason - consequently
- in effect - therefore
- for - accordingly
- thus - henceforth

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 - since

- from time to time - then
- sooner or later - before
- at the same time - hence
- up to the present time - since
- to begin with - when
- in due time - once
- as soon as - next
- as long as - now
- in the meantime - formerly
- in a moment - suddenly
- at this instant - whenever
- first, second - eventually
- immediately - meanwhile
- quickly - further
- finally - during
- after - prior to
- later - by the time
- last - whenever
- until - until now
- till

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.
Lead-in Phrases for Description Questions:

 Alright...
 Well, you know...
 Actually...
 Well first of all...
 ...the first thing I should mention is that...
 ...the point I'd like to begin with is that...
 ...I could start off by saying that...
 ...my initial point would be that...
 ...I need to start off by pointing out that...
 ...the main thing you need to know is that...
 ...I suppose I should begin by highlighting the fact that...
 ...I really need to kick off with the point that...
Like & Dislike Questions
Starting Phrases:

 Well in general, I would say that…

 Well to be honest, I should say that …
 Of course, I think I have to say that…
 Certainly, I will definitely say that…
 Generally speaking, I would certainly say that…

Linking Phrases:

 I’m fairly /pretty keen on…

 I’m really into…
 I’m quite a big fan of…
 I simply adore …
 I’m quite enthusiastic about…
 I generally prefer ... (use only when comparing)
Phrase to introduce a specific type of the topic of category:

 ...but in particular...
 ...particularly...
 ...especially...
 ...specifically...
 ...to be more precise...
 ...to be more specific...
 ...to be more exact...
 ...to be more accurate...
Phrase to introduce the first reason:

 And I guess this is probably because...

 This could/might be because...
 This is due to the fact that…
 I suppose the reason has something to do with the fact that...
Phrase to introduce the second point:

 As well as…
 In addition to this…
 To add to this…
Phrases to add details:

 Like for instance…

 Like more specifically…
 You know like, to be exact..
 More precisely like…
 Like, to be more direct…
Giving an Example

 For example,
 A good example is…
 Maybe you’ve heard of…
Describing Frequency

 Every other day,

 Once in a while,
 Once in a blue moon
Comparing with the Past

 But when I was (a bit) younger, I used to…

 In my school days, I used to…
 Back in a day, I used to …
Ending Answer

 To sum up…
 Anyway, that’s my…
 So, that’s a bit about my…
 So, to cut a long story short,
 Sample Connecting Words or Transitions

addition Again, also, and, another, and then, besides,

equally, importantly, first, next, finally, last,
furthermore, in addition, next, still, too, it could
also be said, previously, subsequently, followed
by
Comparison Also, in the same way, likewise, similarly, as
same as, on the one hand, conversely, similar to,
while
Concession granted, naturally, of course, admittedly
although, and yet, at the same time, but at the
same time, despite that, even so, even though,
contrast for all that, however, in contrast, in spite of,
instead, nevertheless, notwithstanding, on the
contrary, on the other hand, otherwise,
regardless, still, though, yet
emphasis or certainly, indeed, in fact, of course, particularly,
indicate importance especially, crucially
example or as an illustration, for example, for instance, in
illustration fact, to illustrate, take the case of
indicate time thereafter, initially, at that/this point, immediately,
finally, simultaneously, before after, then-later, at
that/this time, formerly, meanwhile, prior to,
previously, during, at present
cause and effect as a result (of this), consequently, as a
consequence, therefore, thus, hence,
accordingly, for this reason, because (of this)
Summary finally, in brief, on the whole, overall, therefore, in
conclusion, thus, in summary, hence