Transition Words: How To Use Them?

Transition Words: Definition

As the name suggests, transition words help to transition from one sentence to another, from one paragraph to another, and from one topic to another.

In this post, I will share some useful transitional words and expressions that will help you use them effectively in your writing. These transitional words and phrases allow readers to establish links between ideas as they read through the text.

When To Use Transition Words?

How do you know when to use transitional words in your writing? The answer is, “When you need to bring coherence to the text, use transitional words, and phrases.”

Transitional words and phrases are used when you need to connect ideas by introducing a shift, contrast, emphasis, purpose, or conclusion in the text.

Types Of Transition Words

As transitional words and phrases perform different functions, they are categorized into following different types.

01. Transition Words To Show Agreement, Addition And Similarity

These transitional words introduce ideas, reinforce ideas, show the agreement of ideas, and show add-ons to the topics that have already been discussed.

then also moreover additionally furthermore again similarly further besides too correspondingly indeed

likewise coupled with regarding first, second, third not to mention identically together with by the same token as well as of course  together with

 02. Transition Words To Show Contrast, Opposition And Limitation

These transitional words show contrast in ideas, highlight the alternatives, and introduce a change.

but rather or in contrast however nonetheless regardless notwithstanding nevertheless unlike on the other hand albeit

still although despite in spite of even though otherwise whereas conversely yet above all

03. Transition Words To Show Cause And Conditions

These transitional words show the connection between ideas and how one action leads to another or causes another action.

as since due to while when because if…then unless

in case whenever so that provided that owing to given that  in view of

04. Transition Words To Show Effect And Result

These transitional words emphasize the consequence or result of a specific action.
Here is a list of transition words that show effect and result.

therefore thus consequently henceforth in effect

as a result in that case for this reason accordingly  forthwith

05. Transition Words To Give Examples And Support Ideas

These transitional words are used to give examples or supporting ideas. Here are some transition words that give examples and support ideas.

for example for instance namely such as as follows as exemplified by such as including

especially particularly in particular notably Mainly indeed in fact

06. Transition Words To Show Conclusion And Summarization

These transitional words are used to conclude ideas. They also summarize ideas or bring the essay, or paragraph to a close.

in conclusion therefore to conclude to sum up on the whole ultimately all in all

on the whole hence thus to summarise altogether overall following the research of after analysis

07. Transition Words To Describe Time

These transitional words are used to define or show the limitation of time. These words set out the relation of a sequence of events as they occur.

at the present time presently from time to time now occasionally once in the first place

in due time as long as in the meantime  formerly prior to as soon as momentarily

08. Transition Words To Indicate Position And Locations

These transitional words are used to show the location of a noun, or the relationship between two things with regards to their location or position. Here are some examples of transition words that are used to show the position or location of things.

over above on top of in front of behind next to

beside amid under  below  adjacent to

Now, you may notice that most of these words are prepositions, and they also serve as transitions.

Transition Words List

Use this FREE transitional words list.

When And How To Use Transition Words

To understand better, let’s take this example:

Without The Use Of Transitional Words:

• I ate Laila’s chocolates. She is angry with me.
• Sam likes to read adventure. He needs to start reading mysteries.
• Maria was not ready to go to the party. Laila and Sam decided to change their plan.

All these sentences do not use transitional words to show the proper connection between phrases. As a result, it is not clear to understand the relation between the sentences and how these are related.

With The Use Of Transitional Words:

Let’s use transition phrases and see the changes in each of the sentences.

• I ate Laila’s chocolates, so she is angry with me.
• Sam likes to read adventure. However, he needs to start reading mysteries.
• Since Maria was not ready to go to the party, Laila and Sam decided to change their plan.

Notice how using transition phrases and correct punctuation clearly shows the relation between events.

Transitional Words Quiz

Here’s a FREE PRACTICE QUIZ for you to test your knowledge about transitional words. All you need to do is choose the correct transitional word.

Books To Learn How To Use Transitional Words And Phrases

Here are some books to help you effectively use transitional words.

• Writing Transition Phrases and Sentences: 12 Types of Sentence and Paragraph Transitions with 112 Examples
• Make Your Writing Flow: A Practical Guide to Transitional Words and Phrases
• A Writer’s Guide to Transitional Words and Expressions

Let me know if you found this post helpful.