Transitional words and phrases provide the glue that holds ideas together in writing. They provide coherence (that hanging together, making sense as a whole) by helping the reader to understand the relationship between ideas, and they act as signposts that help the reader follow the movement of the discussion. Transitional expressions, then, can be used between sentences, between paragraphs, or between entire sections of a work. The two kinds of transitions are those of logic and those of thought. Each of these kinds is discussed here.
| Milder | Stronger | |
| Addition | a further x
and and then then also too next another other nor |
further
furthermore moreover in addition additionally besides again equally important first, second finally, last |
| Comparison | just as ... so too
a similar x another x like |
similarly
comparable in the same way likewise |
| Contrast | but
yet and yet still otherwise or though but another rather |
however
still nevertheless on the other hand on the contrary even so notwithstanding for all that in contrast alternatively at the same time though this may be otherwise instead nonetheless conversely |
| Time | then
now soon afterward later shortly earlier recently first, second, third next before after today tomorrow |
meanwhile
at length presently at last finally immediately thereafter at that time subsequently eventually currently in the meantime in the past in the future |
| Purpose | to do this
so that |
to this end
with this object for this purpose for that reason because of this x |
| Place | there
here beyond nearby next to |
at that point
opposite to adjacent to on the other side in the front in the back |
| Result | so
and so then |
hence
therefore accordingly consequently thus thereupon as a result in consequence |
| Example | that is
specifically in particular for one thing |
for example
for instance an instance of this this can be seen in |
| Summary and Emphasis | in sum
generally after all by the way in general incidentally naturally I hope at least it seems in brief I suppose |
in short
on the whole as I said in other words to be sure in fact indeed clearly of course anyway remarkably I think assuredly definitely without doubt for all that on the whole in any event importantly certainly |
Pronouns include he, she, it, we, they, us, them, him, her, I,
me, and you
Possessive pronouns include his, her, hers, its, their, theirs, ours,
our, my, mine, your, yours
Keyword Repetition. Repeat the word around which the discussion
is focusing.
Many cities are overcrowded. But now there is help for the city.
Your gardener can apply this fertilizer to your lawn monthly. Just
read the fertilizer label. OR Just ask your gardener about it. OR Your
lawn will become greener and juicier.
Synonyms. A synonym is a word that means nearly the same
as another word. The meaning is close enough so that the thought continues,
but different enough so that the idea expands and gains greater definition
than it would by simply repeating the same word over and over (which would
be pretty boring, too, huh?).
Fred’s car is fast and powerful. But is such a vehicle legal? And
don’t hot rods like that pollute the air?
We hiked from the meadow to the peak on Monday. Then we walked from
the peak to the bluff Tuesday. It was quite a trek.
Demonstrative Pronouns and Adjectives. Demonstrative pronouns
include this, that, these, and those. They are useful for both direction
and emphasis. It is a good idea to change demonstrative pronouns to demonstrative
adjectives by adding a clarifying noun (so instead of saying, "This is
good," say, "This ice cream is good.").
Some people suggest giving up salt on popcorn. This idea, however,
is ridiculous.
Yes, Air Profit is our best selling shoe. That brand, however, is
sold out right now.