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.