Transition words are like bridges between ideas—they help the reader travel from one idea to another. Additionally, sometimes we use transition phrases, made up of multiple words. You may remember some transition words or phrases from your grade school days: “For example,” “furthermore,” and “in conclusion” being some of the most common.
These phrases can help to show the relationships between ideas, showing how the writer’s thoughts connect or contrast.
How to Use Transition Words
Usually, transition words begin a sentence and are followed by a comma.
For example:
- Additionally, no one understood the assignment.
- On the other hand, the penguins were treated well.
- For example, the apple fell near the tree.
Transition Words Serve Several Functions
- Enhanced clarity: Transitions show the relationships between your ideas. Are you adding a new point? Highlighting a contrast? Transition words make those connections crystal clear.
- Improved flow: Transitions act like stepping stones, guiding the reader from one sentence to the next effortlessly. They create a smooth and logical progression of thought.
- Stronger arguments: By strategically placing transitions, you can emphasize the significance of your points and build a more persuasive argument.
Examples of Transition Words
Here’s a breakdown of some common categories, with examples.
Sequence: These transitions show the order in which things happen. They’re like road signs that guide the reader on a chronological journey.
- first, second, third, next, now, then, thereafter, following this, at this time, at this point, later, subsequently, afterward, finally, in the end
Addition: Need to add another point to your argument? These transitions smoothly introduce new information.
- additionally, further, furthermore, plus, also, besides, moreover, in addition to, plus
Contrast: Highlighting opposing viewpoints is essential in persuasive writing. These transitions introduce contrasting ideas.
- however, yet, on the other hand, at the same time, conversely, but, on the contrary, by comparison, meanwhile, in contrast, while this may be true, nevertheless, granted
Similarity: Sometimes, you want to show how ideas are alike. These transitions connect similar points.
- similarly, likewise, in the same way, in like manner, in the same vein, equally
Result: Conveying cause and effect is key in many contexts. These transitions show how one idea leads to another.
- consequently, therefore, thus, hence, as a result, because of this
To show exception: Sometimes, you need to show how a thing or idea stands out.
- yet, still, however, nevertheless, in spite of, despite, of course, once in a while, but sometimes
Emphasis: Want to drive a point home? These transitions add weight and importance to your words.
- indeed, in fact, importantly, it is worth noting, naturally, surprisingly, undeniably, clearly, evidently, undeniably
Example: Illustrating your points with examples strengthens your writing. These transitions introduce specific instances.
- for example, for instance, to illustrate, to demonstrate, specifically, in particular
To repeat: You may need to mention something that you brought up earlier. These transitions signal that you’re repeating or recapping important information.
- in brief, as I have said, as I have noted, as has been noted
Conclusion: Wrapping things up neatly is essential. These transitions signal the end of your argument or discussion.
- in conclusion, to summarize, in summation, finally, in closing, on the whole, in a word
Choosing the Right Transition Words
Here are some tips for choosing the right transition phrase:
- Consider the relationship: What kind of connection exists between your ideas? Are they contrasting, sequential, or similar? Choose a transition that reflects that relationship.
- Maintain sentence flow: Opt for transitions that create a smooth reading experience. Avoid clunky phrases that disrupt the rhythm of your sentences.
- Variety is key: Don’t overuse the same transition word repeatedly. Explore the variety within each category to keep your writing engaging.
Need Help with Transition Words and More?
If you need help with transition words, EditorNinja is here for you! We’re a team of professional content editors who specialize in across-line editing, copyediting, and proofreading.
Schedule a free intro call today to see how using EditorNinja can save you days of time, buy back hours that you can use to create more content or work on other things, and make, on average, a 3.5x ROI or at least $12,000+ on your investment.