Transition Words and Phrases
Transitions are used in formal and informal writing to demonstrate the relationship or hierarchy of ideas within a paper. Many times the paper will not make sense without transitions. The lists below are grouped based upon the relationships between two or more ideas.
Addition or Sequence
- after
- afterward
- again
- also
- and then
- and
- as well as
- at first
- at the same time
- at this point
- at this time
- before this
- besides
- concurrently
- consequently
- coupled with
- earlier
- equally important
- finally
- first of all
- first
- following this
- further
- furthermore
- having said that
- hence
- in addition
- in conclusion
- in light of
- in the first place
- in the meantime
- in time
- in turn
- last
- lastly
- later on
- later
- likewise
- meanwhile
- moreover
- next
- nor
- now
- previously
- second
- secondly
- similarly
- simultaneously
- soon
- still
- subsequently
- the next step
- then
- therefore
- third
- thirdly
- thus
- to begin with
- too
- what is more
- while
- with this in mind
Comparison
- also
- by comparison
- compared to
- conversely
- however
- in the same way
- instead
- likewise
- on one hand
- rather
- similarly
- still
- this may be true
- where
- whereas
Consequence
- accordingly
- as a result
- because
- consequently
- for this purpose
- for this reason
- hence
- if
- otherwise
- since
- so then
- subsequently
- then
- therefore
- thereupon
- thus
- to this end
- wherefore
Contrast
- and yet
- but at the same time
- but
- by the same token
- conversely
- despite
- even so
- even though
- for all that
- however
- in contrast
- in spite of
- nevertheless
- notwithstanding
- on the contrary
- on the other hand
- regardless
- still
- though
- yet
Emphasis
- above all
- absolutely
- after all
- always
- certainly
- chiefly
- emphatically
- especially
- eternally
- even
- extremely
- forever
- in any case
- in fact
- indeed
- naturally
- never
- obviously
- of course
- particularly
- perennially
- positively
- singularly
- surprisingly
- truly
- undeniably
- unquestionably
- with attention to
- without a doubt
- without reservation
Exception
- aside from
- barring
- besides
- despite
- except
- excepting
- excluding
- exclusive of
- however
- in spite of
- nevertheless
- of course
- once in a while
- other than
- outside of
- save
- sometimes
- yet
Exemplification
- chiefly
- especially
- for instance
- including
- in particular
- markedly
- namely
- particularly
- specifically
- such as
Generalization
- as a rule
- as usual
- for the most part
- generally
- generally speaking
- ordinarily
- usually
Illustration
- as an example
- as an illustration
- for example
- for instance
- for one thing
- illustrated with
- in another case
- in fact
- in this case
- in this situation
- on this occasion
- specifically
- take the case of
- to demonstrate
- to illustrate
Location
- above
- adjacent to
- ahead
- behind
- below
- beyond
- close
- elsewhere
- farther on
- here
- near
- nearby
- on the other side
- opposite to
- there
- to the east (west, north, south, etc.)
- to the left (right)
Passing of Time
- after a while
- afterward
- as long as
- as soon as
- at last
- at length
- at that time
- before
- during this time
- earlier
- finally
- formerly
- immediately
- in the meantime
- in the past
- lately
- later
- meanwhile
- next
- now
- presently
- shortly
- simultaneously
- since
- so far
- soon
- subsequently
- then
- thereafter
- until
- when
- while
Proof
- because
- besides
- evidently
- for the same reason
- for
- furthermore
- in addition
- in any case
- in fact
- indeed
- moreover
- obviously
- since
- that is
Restatement
- as has been noted
- as has been said
- as was previously stated
- given these points
- in brief
- in essence
- in other words
- in short
- namely
- that is to say
- that is
- to put it differently
Similarity
- comparatively
- coupled with
- correspondingly
- identically
- in comparison
- likewise
- moreover
- similarly
- together with
Summarization
- accordingly
- after all
- all in all
- all things considered
- altogether
- as a result
- briefly
- by and large
- consequently
- given these points
- hence
- in any case
- in any event
- in brief
- in conclusion
- in other words
- in short
- in simpler terms
- in summary
- in the final analysis
- in the long run
- on the whole
- therefore
- thus
- to conclude
- to put it differently
- to sum up
- to summarize
Please be aware that some transitions are specific to certain situations or are stronger than others listed. Try out multiple options, and use the best fit. Also, although this is an extensive list of transitions, it is not a complete list; these are just some suggestions to help you tie your ideas together and help your reader follow your line of thinking. The greater variety of appropriate transitions you use, the more interesting your paper will be.