List of Transition Words for Essays

This structured list of commonly used english transition words (approximately 200, so the list can be
considered as quasi complete) 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 (also called devices) have been assigned only once to somewhat
artificial categories, although some words belong to more than one category.
To improve your writing (in essays, (scientific) reviews, (research) papers, letters, abstracts, reports,
thesis, etc), it is essential to understand how, transition words can be used to combine ideas in writing.
It is also fundamental to be aware of the sometimes subtle meaning of transition words within the
english language.

Transition Words for Agreement / Addition / Similarity

The transitional devices 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

Transition Words for 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
although
instead
whereas
despite
conversely
otherwise
however
rather
nevertheless
regardless
notwithstanding

Transition Words for Examples / Support / Emphasis

These transitional devices (like especially) are used to introduce
examples as support, to indicateimportance 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

Transition Words for 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
since
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

Transition Words for Effect / Consequence / Result

Some of these transition devices (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
Transition Words for Conclusion / Summary /
Restatement
These transition words and phrases conclude, summarize
and/orrestate ideas, or a 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

Transition Words for 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
as soon 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
since
then
before
hence
since
when
once
about
next
now

formerly
suddenly
shortly
henceforth
whenever
eventually
meanwhile
further
during
first, second
in time
prior to
forthwith
straightaway
 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.

Transition Words for 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

Usage of Transition Words in Essays

 Transition words and phrases are vital devices for essays, papers or
other literary compositions. They improve the connections and
transitions between sentences and paragraphs. They thus give the text
a logical organization and structure (see also: a List of Synonyms).
All english transition words and phrases (sometimes also called
'conjunctive adverbs') do the same work as coordinating
conjunctions: they connect two words, phrases or clauses together
and thus the text is easier to read and the coherence is improved.

Usage: transition words are used with a special rule for punctuation: a
semicolon or a period is used after the first 'sentence', and a comma is
almost always used to set off the transition word from the second
'sentence'.
Example 1:
People use 43 muscles when they frown; however, they use only 28
muscles when they smile.

Example 2:
However, transition words can also be placed at the beginning of a
new paragraph or sentence - not only to indicate a step forward in
the reasoning, but also to relate the new material to the preceding
thoughts.

Use a semicolon to connect sentences, only if the group of words on

either side of the semicolon are a complete sentence each (both must
have a subject and a verb, and could thus stand alone as a complete
thought).

Similar to transition words: Conjunctions

Not only transition words are frequently employed to connect
sentences. A variety of useful Conjunctions exists, which complete
this list of most used transitional devices.

Coordinating Conjunctions
A coordinating conjunction usually comes in the middle of a sentence,
and a comma is used before the conjunction (unless both clauses are
very short). They join individual words, phrases, and independent
clauses.
Whereas coordinating conjunctions join parts of a 'sentence', the
purpose of transitional words and phrases usually is to join two
'sentences'.
Examples:
We can draw lessons from the past, but we cannot live in it.
 [Lyndon B. Johnson]
The purpose of most computer languages is to lengthen your
resume by a word and a comma. [Larry Wall]

And, but, for, nor, or, so, and yet — are the seven coordinating
conjunctions. To remember them, the acronym FANBOYS can be
used.
F = for
A = and
N = nor
B = but
O = or
Y = yet
S = so

Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions, also called subordinators, are conjunctions
that introduce a dependent clause. These adverbs that act like
conjunctions are placed at the front of the clause - and a comma is
needed at the end of the adverbial phrase when it precedes the main
clause.
Examples:
If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every
problem as a nail. [Abraham Maslow]
Some people make headlines while others make history. [Philip
Elmer-DeWitt]

after
although
as
as if
as long as
because
before
how
(only) if
in case that
in order that
 provided that
now that
once
rather than
since
so that
than
that
though
till
unless
until
what
when
where
whereas
whether
which
while
who
whom
whose
why

Correlative Conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions always appear in pairs - and used to link
equivalent (similar) sentence elements. When joining singular and
plural subjects, the subject closest to the verb determines whether the
verb is singular or plural.

as . . . as
just as . . . so
both . . . and
either . . . or
neither . . . nor
not only . . . but also
not . . . but
whether . . . or