Grammar Exercise 2

Transitions and Conjunctions

Conjunctions and Transitions are used to connect ideas, paragraphs and sentences. Without
these forms, fluent writing and speech would be much more difficult. Although most native
speakers are aware of the grammatical differences, transitions and conjunctions are used in
different ways, even if the same word can be used as either a transition or a conjunction.

Transitional Phrases
Transitional phrases follow a full stop and form a new sentence. Transitional phrases are also
separated from the following sentence by a comma.

Examples:

● Susan told her boss she was pregnant. As a result, he dismissed her two weeks later.
(Consequence)
● The handsome millionaire Paul Ryder is looking for a new wife after his divorce. he is very
unfriendly. (Contrast)However,
● Generally, Politicians are honest. However, the job also attracts many dishonest people.
(Generalisation and Contrast)
● It was snowing outside. Despite that, we decided to take the dog for a walk. (Comparison)

Showing consequences or effects Adding Information Exemplifying Generalizing

- As a result - In addition - For instance - Generally

- Consequently - Furthermore - In particular - On the whole

- Therefore - Likewise - Specifically -Generally

Speaking

- For this reason - Finally - As an illustration - As a rule

1
Emphasizing Summarizing Comparison Contrast

- Above all - In the end - Similarly - However

- Especially - Overall - Likewise - On the other hand

- In fact - All things - Despite that - On the contrary

considered
- Of course - All in all - In the same way - Regardless

Coordinating Conjunctions
A coordinating conjunction is used in a sentence and follows a comma. It is used to join two
clauses.

Common Conjunctions:

● And : Used to add information

● But : Used to show a contrast
● So : Used to show a consequence or effect
● Or : Used to show a choice or alternative

Examples:

● We all know smoking is bad for our health, but many people smoke anyway.
● He studied very hard this year, so he passed the exam easily.

Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating Conjunctions are used to create complex sentences. A subordinating conjunction
does not need to be separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma. They can be used at
the start of a sentence, or in the middle. When a subordinating conjunction is used at the start of
a sentence its meaning (or strength) is emphasized. When the conjunction is used in the middle
of a sentence its meaning is weaker.

Examples:

● Although we all know smoking is bad for our health, many people still smoke.

2
 ● Many people still smoke despite knowing smoking is bad for their health.
● They went out for a walk despite the cold wind.
● Despite the cold wind, they went out for a walk.
● The students passed their exams because they had studied hard.
● Because the students had studied hard, they passed their exams easily.

Function Conjunctions and Transitions

Addition Also, Again, And, And then, As well as, Besides, Coupled with,
Equally important, First, Finally, Furthermore, In addition, In the first
place, Last, Likewise, Moreover, Next, Plus, Second, Still, Too

Concession Accordingly, Granted, Naturally, Of course

Consequence Accordingly, As a result, Consequently, For this reason, For

this purpose, Hence, Otherwise, So then, Subsequently,
Therefore, Thus, Thereupon, Wherefore

Contrast and Comparison Although, Also, And yet, (But) at the same time, Despite, Despite
that, Even so, Even though, For all that, However, In contrast, In
spite of, In the same way, Instead, Likewise, Nevertheless,
Notwithstanding, On the contrary, On the other hand, Otherwise,
Regardless, Similarly, Still, Though, Yet

Direction Above, Beyond, Here, In the distance, Nearly, Opposite, Over

there, There, To the left, To the right, Under

Diversion By the way, Incidentally

Emphasis Above all, Chiefly, Certainly, Especially, Indeed, In fact, Of course,

Particularly

Example - illustration After all, As an illustration, Even, For example, For instance, In
conclusion, Indeed, In fact, In other words, In short, It is true, Of
course, Namely, Specifically, That is, To illustrate, Thus

Exception Aside from, Barring, Besides, Except, Excepting, Excluding,

Exclusive of, Other than, Outside of, Save

Generalizing As a rule, As usual, For the most part, Generally, Generally

speaking, Ordinarily, Usually

Reiteration In essence, In other words, Namely, That is, That is to say, In short,
In brief, To put it differently

Summary All in all, Altogether, As has been said, Finally, In brief, In

conclusion, In other words, In particular, In short, In simple terms,

3
 In summary, On the whole, That is, Therefore, To put it differently,
To summarize

Sequence After a while, Afterwards, Again, Also, And then, As long as, At last,
At length, At that time, Before, Besides, Earlier, Eventually, Finally,
Formerly, Further, Furthermore, In addition, In the first place, In the
past, Last, Lately, Meanwhile, Moreover, next, Now, Presently,
Previously, Prior to, Second, Shortly, Simultaneously, Since, So far,
Soon, Still, Subsequently, Then, Thereafter, Too, Until, Until now,
When

Instructions:
Fill the correct transitions or conjunctions in the blanks provided.

1. Employees need to continually expand their job skills they can achieve their full
personal potential
a. so that c. otherwise
b. in case d. in addition to
2. much you sail, there will always be something new to learn about.
a. As c. No matter
b. Though d. However
3. little space you have in your garden, it's always possible to grow something.
a. Hence c. Although
b. No matter how d. So
4. It must be kept in mind that there is no secret of success hard work.
a. though c. no matter
b. since d. but
5. It is hard to treat everyone they were of equal worth when we see differences
between individuals, and seemingly differences between groups of people
a. such as c. as if
b. however d. in spite of
6. An international committee issued a depressing forecast of how human beings and
natural ecosystems will be Influenced in the future, the effects of global warming
intensify.
a. as c. besides
b. however d. despite

4
 7. computers, ecologists have simulated communities containing various plants
and animals
a. According to c. Since
b. For d. By means of
8. Ecologists try to find out how the Earth's environments can be preserved living
things will continue to survive on the planet.
a. now that c. so that
a. in order to d. in case
9. laws for protection, many of the desert aquatic habitats and their associated
species are still in danger.
a. Even though c. Because
b. Despite d. No matter
10. Experts estimate that we are losing 137 plant, animal and insect species every single day
rainforest deforestation.
a. as c. as a result of
b. while d. due to

References:

Milano, I. I. (n.d.). English Grammar Guide - Conjunctions and Transitions. Insegnanti-Inglese.

Retrieved July 23, 2021, from
https://www.insegnanti-inglese.com/grammar-1/conjunctions-transitions.html

Transitions Test 5. (n.d.). GrammarBank. Retrieved July 23, 2021,

from https://www.grammarbank.com/transitions-test.html

Mixed Conjunctions Test 9. (n.d.). GrammarBank. Retrieved July 23, 2021,

from https://www.grammarbank.com/mixed-conjunctions-test.html