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

again

in the same fashion / way

not only ... but also

as a matter of fact
in like manner

in addition
coupled with
by the same token

uniquely

to

like

first, second, third

and

in the light of

also

not to mention

then

to say nothing of

equally

equally important

identically

comparatively

as

correspondingly

too

similarly

moreover

as well as

Likewise

furthermore

together with
of course

Opposition / Limitation / Contradiction

Transition phrases like but, rather and or, express that there is evidence to thecontrary or point out alternatives, and thus introduce a change the line of reasoning
(contrast).
although this may be true

even so / though

unlike

instead

nonetheless

in contrast

be that as it may

or

whereas

regardless

different from

then again

(and) yet

despite

notwithstanding

of course ..., but

above all

while

conversely

on the other hand

in reality

albeit

otherwise

on the contrary

after all

besides

However

at the same time

but

as much as

rather

in spite of

(and) still

even though

nevertheless

although
Cause / Condition / Purpose
These transitional phrases present specific conditions or intentions

in the event that

in the hope that

... then

since

granted (that)

to the end that

unless

while

as / so long as

for fear that

when

lest

on (the) condition (that)

in order to

whenever

in case

for the purpose of

seeing / being that

while

provided that

with this intention

in view of

because of

given that

If

as

only / even if

so that
so as to
owing to
inasmuch as

due to

Examples / Support / Emphasis

These transitional devices (like especially) are used to introduce examples assupport, to indicate importance or as
an illustration so that an idea is cued to the reader.
in other words

important to realize

including

to put it differently

especially

for instance

another key point

like

specifically

to demonstrate

first thing to remember

expressively

to emphasize

most compelling evidence

to be
sure
namely

surprisingly

to repeat

must be remembered

frequently

to clarify

point often overlooked

chiefly

significantly

to explain

for this reason

to point out

truly

to enumerate

on the positive / negative

side

indeed

in fact

to put it another
way

in general

such as

that is to say

with this in mind

surely

with attention

notably

markedly

for one thing

as an illustration
in this case

certainly

in particular
in detail

Effect / Consequence / Result

Some of these transition words (thus, then, accordingly, consequently, therefore, henceforth) are time words that are used to show

that after a particular time there was a consequence or an effect.

Note that for and because are placed before the cause/reason. The other devices are placed before the consequences or effects.
as a result

for this reason

thus

Hence

thereupon

under those circumstances

in effect

because the

consequently

forthwith

for

then

therefore

accordingly

in that case

henceforth
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

for the most part

generally speaking

after all

in the final analysis

in fact

all things considered

in summary

as shown above

in conclusion

in the long run

in short

given these points

in brief

as has been noted

in essence

in a word

to summarize

on balance
altogether
overall
ordinarily
usually
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

immediately

until

about

from time to time

quickly

until now

till

next

sooner or later

finally

now that

since

now

instantly

at the same time

after

then

formerly

up to the present time

later

presently

before

suddenly

to begin with

last

occasionally

hence

shortly

in due time

without delay

since

henceforth

as soon as

in the first place

when

whenever

as long as

all of a sudden

once

eventually

in the meantime

at this instant

meanwhile

in a moment

first, second

by the time

further
during
in time
prior to
forthwith
straightaway

whenever

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 timein 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.

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 theTime category and can be used to describe spatial order or spatial reference.

in the middle

here and there

to the left/
right

in the foreground

in front of

in the background

on this side

in the center of

in the distance
adjacent to
opposite to
here
there

next

below

beyond

between

among

where

down

nearby

before

beneath

from

up

wherever

alongside

beside

over

under

around

amid

behind

near
above

fur-

across