Transition Words

As a "part of speech" transition words are used to link words, phrases or sentences. They help
the reader to progress from one idea (expressed by the author) to the next idea. Thus, they help
to build up coherent relationships within the text.

Transitional Words
This structured list of commonly used English transition words — approximately 200, can be
considered as quasi complete. It 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 have been assigned only once to somewhat artificial
categories, although some words belong to more than one category.
There is some overlap with prepositions and postpositions, but for the purpose of usage and
completeness of this concise guide, I did not differentiate.

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
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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 in 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
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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
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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
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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
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Effect / Consequence / Result

Some of these transition words (thus, then, accordingly, consequently, therefore,

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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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under

further

beyond

nearby

wherever

around

between

before

alongside

amid

among

beneath

beside

behind

across