Tuesday, 1 December 2015

Transition 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
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


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


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

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 side
on the negative side
with this in mind
notably
including
like
to be sure
namely
chiefly
truly
indeed
certainly
surely
markedly
such as

especially
explicitly
specifically
expressly
surprisingly
frequently
significantly
particularly
in fact
in general
in particular
in detail
for example
for instance
to demonstrate
to emphasize
to repeat
to clarify
to explain
to enumerate


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
in effect
for
thus
because the
then
hence
consequently
therefore
thereupon
forthwith
accordingly
henceforth


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

Obviously
Ultimately
Definitely

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
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
first, second

immediately
quickly
finally
after
later
last
until
till
since
then
before
hence
since
when
once
about
next
now


formerly
suddenly
shortly
henceforth
whenever
eventually
meanwhile
further
during
in time
prior to
forthwith
straightaway

by the time
whenever

until now
now that

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.

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





















Addition:
indeed, further, as well (as this), either (neither), not only (this) but also (that) as well,
also, moreover, what is more, as a matter of fact, in all honesty,
and, furthermore, in addition (to this), besides (this), to tell the truth,
or, in fact, actually, to say nothing of,  
too, let alone, much less additionally,  
nor, alternatively, on the other hand, not to mention (this),  



Introduction:
 such as, as, particularly, including, as an illustration,
 for example, like, in particular, for one thing, to illustrate
 for instance, especially, notably, by way of example,  


Reference:
speaking about (this), considering (this), regarding (this), with regards to (this),
as for (this), concerning (this), the fact that  on the subject of (this)




Similarity:
similarly, in the same way, by the same token,  in a like manner,
equally likewise,    



Identification:
that is (to say), namely, specifically, thus,


Clarification:
that is (to say), I mean, (to) put (it) another way in other words,


Adversative Transitions:
These transitions are used to signal conflict, contradiction concession, dismissal, &c.
Conflict:
 but, by way of contrast, while, on the other hand,
 however, (and) yet, whereas, though (final position),
 in contrast, when in fact, conversely, still




Emphasis:
 even more, above all, indeed, more importantly, besides


Concession:
 but even so, nevertheless, even though, on the other hand, admittedly,
 however, nonetheless, despite (this), notwithstanding (this), albeit
 (and) still, although, in spite of (this), regardless (of this),  
 (and) yet, though, granted (this), be that as it may,  




Dismissal:
either way, whichever happens, in either event, in any case, at any rate,
in either case, whatever happens, all the same, in any event,  



Replacement:
 (or) at least, (or) rather, instead


Causal Transitions:
These transitions signal cause/effect and reason/result, etc. . .
Cause/Reason:
for the (simple) reason that, being that, for, in view of (the fact), inasmuch as,
because (of the fact), seeing that, as, owing to (the fact),  
due to (the fact
that), in that since, forasmuch as,  




Condition:
 on (the) condition (that), granted (that), if, provided that, in case,
 in the event that, as/so long as, unless given that,  
 granting (that), providing that, even if, only if,  




Effect/Result:
as a result (of this), consequently, hence, for this reason, thus,
because (of this), in consequence, so that, accordingly  
as a consequence, so much (so) that, so, therefore,  




Purpose:
 for the purpose of, in the hope that, for fear that, so that,
 with this intention, to the end that, in order to, lest
 with this in mind, in order that, so as to, so,




Consequence:
under those circumstances, then, in that case, if not,
that being the case, if so, otherwise  



Sequential Transitions:
These transitions are used to signal a chronological or logical sequence.
Numerical:
in the (first, second, etc.) place, initially, to start with, first of all thirdly, (&c.)
to begin with, at first, for a start, secondly,  


Continuation:
subsequently, previously, eventually, next,
before (this), afterwards, after (this), then



Conclusion:
to conclude (with) as a final point, eventually, at last,
in the end, finally, lastly,



Digression:
 to change the topic incidentally, by the way,

[back to list]
Resumption:
to get back to the point, to resume anyhow, anyway,  at any rate,
to return to the subject,
     



Summation:
as was previously stated, so, consequently, in summary, all in all,
thus, as I have said, to sum up, overall,
as has been mentioned, then, to summarize, to be brief, briefly,
given these points, in all, on the whole, therefore,  
as has been noted, hence, in conclusion, in a word,  
to put it briefly, in sum, altogether, in short,





















Examples of Transitions: Illustration Thus, for example, for instance, namely, to illustrate, in other words, in particular, specifically, such as. Contrast On the contrary, contrarily, notwithstanding, but, however, nevertheless, in spite of, in contrast, yet, on one hand, on the other hand, rather, or, nor, conversely, at the same time, while this may be true. Addition And, in addition to, furthermore, moreover, besides, than, too, also, both-and, another, equally important, first, second, etc., again, further, last, finally, not only-but also, as well as, in the second place, next, likewise, similarly, in fact, as a result, consequently, in the same way, for example, for instance, however, thus, therefore, otherwise. Time After, afterward, before, then, once, next, last, at last, at length, first, second, etc., at first, formerly, rarely, usually, another, finally, soon, meanwhile, at the same time, for a minute, hour, day, etc., during the morning, day, week, etc., most important, later, ordinarily, to begin with, afterwards, generally, in order to, subsequently, previously, in the meantime, immediately, eventually, concurrently, simultaneously. Space At the left, at the right, in the center, on the side, along the edge, on top, below, beneath, under, around, above, over, straight ahead, at the top, at the bottom, surrounding, opposite, at the rear, at the front, in front of, beside, behind, next to, nearby, in the distance, beyond, in the forefront, in the foreground, within sight, out of sight, across, under, nearer, adjacent, in the background. Concession Although, at any rate, at least, still, thought, even though, granted that, while it may be true, in spite of, of course. Similarity or Comparison Similarly, likewise, in like fashion, in like manner, analogous to. Emphasis Above all, indeed, truly, of course, certainly, surely, in fact, really, in truth, again, besides, also, furthermore, in addition. Details Specifically, especially, in particular, to explain, to list, to enumerate, in detail, namely, including. Examples For example, for instance, to illustrate, thus, in other words, as an illustration, in particular. Consequence or Result So that, with the result that, thus, consequently, hence, accordingly, for this reason, therefore, so, because, since, due to, as a result, in other words, then. Summary Therefore, finally, consequently, thus, in short, in conclusion, in brief, as a result, accordingly. Suggestion For this purpose, to this end, with this in mind, with this purpose in mind, therefore.



















For continuing a common line of reasoning: consequently clearly, then furthermore additionally and in addition moreover because besides that in the same way following this further also pursuing this further in the light of the... it is easy to see that To change the line of reasoning (contrast): however on the other hand but yet nevertheless on the contrary For opening a paragraph initially or for general use: admittedly assuredly certainly granted no doubt nobody denies obviously of course to be sure true undoubtedly unquestionably generally speaking in general at this level in this situation For the final points of a paragraph or essay: finally lastly Transitional chains, to use in separating sections of a paragraph which is arranged chronologically: first... second... third... generally... furthermore... finally in the first place... also... lastly in the first place... pursuing this further... finally to be sure... additionally... lastly in the first place... just in the same way... finally basically... similarly... as well To signal conclusion: therefore this hence in final analysis in conclusion in final consideration indeed To restate a point within a paragraph in another way or in a more exacting way: in other words point in fact specifically Sequence or time after afterwards as soon as at first at last before before long finally first... second... third in the first place in the meantime later meanwhile next soon then

















Adding Information and not only . . . but also also moreover (more formal) furthermore (more formal) in addition (more formal) Giving Examples for example for instance specifically in particular The first (second, another, etc.) example/reason is . . . Showing a Contrast but however on the other hand otherwise instead in contrast (more formal) Showing a Concession yet nevertheless (more formal) even so however although even though despite the fact that . . . despite Establishing Time Relation or Sequence first second finally in conclusion in summary meanwhile Showing a Condition or whether . . . or if . . . (then) Explaining or Emphasizing in fact actually in other words namely (more formal) Giving an Alternative or either . . . or neither . . . nor (more formal)