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List of Transition Words for writing

This structuredlistof commonly used english transition words (approximately 200, so the list is quasi complete) can be used (by

students and teachers) to find the right expression. English transition words and phrases 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 (also called devices) have been assigned only once to somewhat artificial categories, although some

words belong to more than one category.

To improve your writing(in essays, (scientific) reviews, (research) papers, letters, abstracts, reports, thesis, etc), it is essential to

understand how, transition words can be used to combine ideas in writing. It is also fundamental to be aware of the sometimes subtle

meaning of transition words within the english language.

Please feel free to download the corresponding and comprehensive 2 page cheat sheet Transition Words and Phrasesas PDF

(approx. 30 KB).

Agreement / Addition / Similarity

The transitional devices like also, in addition, and, likewise, add information, reinforce ideas, and express agreementwith

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

Opposition / Limitation / Contradiction

Transition words and phrases like but, ratherand or, express that there is evidence to the contraryor point out alternatives, and thu

introduce a change 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 although instead

whereas despite conversely

otherwise however rather

nevertheless regardless notwithstanding

http://www.smart-words.org/list-of-synonyms.html#synonymhttp://www.smart-words.org/list-of-synonyms.html#synonymhttp://www.smart-words.org/list-of-synonyms.html#synonymhttp://www.smart-words.org/writing-tips-research-phrases.html#writinghttp://www.smart-words.org/writing-tips-research-phrases.html#phrasehttp://www.smart-words.org/transition-words-phrases.pdfhttp://www.smart-words.org/transition-words-phrases.pdfhttp://www.smart-words.org/list-of-synonyms.html#synonymhttp://www.smart-words.org/writing-tips-research-phrases.html#writinghttp://www.smart-words.org/writing-tips-research-phrases.html#phrasehttp://www.smart-words.org/transition-words-phrases.pdf

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Examples / Support / Emphasis

These transitional devices (like especially) are used to introduce examples as support, to indicateimportanceor as an illustrationso

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 toby all means another key point first thing to remember

important to realize must be remembered point often overlooked

most compelling evidence on the positive / negative side with this in mind

to point out including like

notably namely chiefly

to be sure indeed certainly

truly markedly expressively

surely specifically significantly

especially frequently in particular

surprisingly in general for instance

in fact for example to repeat

in detail to emphasize to enumerate

to demonstrate to explain such asto clarify

Cause / Condition / Purpose

These transitional words present specific conditionsor 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 ... thenunless when

whenever since 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

Effect / Consequence / Result

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

aftera particular time there was a consequenceor an effect.

Note thatforand becauseare 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 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, summarizeand/orrestateideas, or a indicate a final general statement. Also some

words (like therefore) from the Effect / Consequencecategory 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 wordfor 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 by and large

to sum up on the whole in any event

in either case all in all

Time / Chronology / Sequence

These transitional words (likefinally) have the function of limiting, restricting, and defining time. They can be used either alone or a

part of adverbial expressions.

at the present time up to the present time as soon as

at the same time until now without delay

in due time in a moment at this instant

in the meantime all of a sudden quickly

in the first place immediately later

finally after since

last until hence

then before once

since when now

about next formerly

suddenly shortly henceforthwhenever eventually meanwhile

further during first, second

in time prior to forthwith

straightaway presently occasionally

instantly sooner or later

from time to time to begin with

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) andfurtherthey add a meaning of timein expressing conditions, qualifications, or

reasons. The numbers are also used to add informationor list examples. Furtheris also used to indicate added space as well as addtime.

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Space / Location / Place

These transition words are often used as part of adverbial expressionsand have the function to restrict, limit or qualify space. Quite

few of these are also found in the Timecategory and can be used to describe spatial order or spatial reference.

in the middle in the distance in front of

on this side in the background here and there

in the foreground adjacent to in the center of here there opposite to

where from next

near above over

down up below

further beyond under

wherever around nearby

before alongside between

among beneath amid

behind across beside

to the left/right

Usage of Transition Words

Transition words and phrases are vital devices for essays, papers or other literary compositions. They improve the connections and

transitions between sentences and paragraphs. They thus give the text a logical organization and structure (see also: a List of

Synonyms).

All english transition wordsand phrases(sometimes also called 'conjunctive adverbs') do the same work as coordinating

conjunctions: they connect two words, phrases or clauses together and thus the text is easier to read and the coherence is improved.

Usage: transition words and phrases are used with a special rule for punctuation: a semicolon or a period is used after the first'sentence', and a comma is almost always used to set off the transition word from the second 'sentence'.

Example 1:

People use 43 muscles when they frown; however, they use only 28 muscles when they smile.

Example 2:

However, transition words can also be placed at the beginning of a new paragraph or sentence - not only to indicate a step

forward in the reasoning, but also to relate the new material to the preceding thoughts.

Use a semicolon to connect sentences, only if the group of words on either side of the semicolon are a complete sentence each (both

must have a subject and a verb, and could thus stand alone as a complete thought).

Coordinating Conjunctions

A coordinating conjunction usually comes in the middle of a sentence, and a commais used before the conjunction (unless both

clauses are very short). They join individual words, phrases, and independent clauses.

Whereas coordinating conjunctions join parts of a 'sentence', the purpose of transitional words and phrases usually is to join two

'sentences'.

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References to further (List) Resources (Transition

Words, Grammar, Writing, Slang, ...)

It is extremely difficult to find some language related site, which are not plastered with anoying ads. The site listed belwo are not

100% advertisement free, but use it (if at all) very discreetly - so far (March 2009).

HyperGrammar a body of rules specifying how phrases and sentences are constructed

An online grammar course at the University of Ottawa's Writing Centre. Covers the basic principles of english grammar: Parts of

Speech, Punctuation, Spelling, etc.

Guide to Grammar and Writing Capital Community College - Connecticut

An online grammar course which covers all sorts of language and grammar topics.

World Wide Words Infromation about international English from a British perspective

A large collection of articles, book reviews, topical words, explanation of words that are relatively new and which often have not yet

reached the dictionaries, a well organized list of links to other word sites, etc.

Wordsmith A.Word.A.Day (AWAD)A mailing list: a new word send out via email every weekday, containing some "sponsors' messages" in the non-premium version.

GovSpeak A Guide to Government Acronyms & Abbreviations

This list was created in April 2000 for the Indiana UniversityPurdue University Indianapolis Library. The author is no longer

affiliated with that institution, but has received authorization to re-create and provide continued maintenance for this web page.

American Slang from the past (the just elapsed century)

In the early 60's, as today, young people had a different vocabulary and it, as today, drove their parents nuts. A collection / list of slan

words that were used in the sixties and earlier eras.

United Kingdom English for the American Novice

Sixth Edition, July 1983 "English" to "American" Dictionary. The items in this list were collected while the author lived in the Unite

Kingdom from 1981 to 1983.

British Slang The English-to-American Dictionary

Based on the book (and by the same author): "The Septic's Companion: A Mercifully Brief Guide to British Culture and Slang".

Writing Links & Links for Writers Dictionary, Grammar, Etymology, Usage, ...

Babelfish Altavista Online Translation

Microsoft Online Translation

Google Online Translation

Dictionary http://dict.tu-chemnitz.de

Beolingus - Dictonary of the TU Chemnitz (GermanEnglisch)

http://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/writcent/hypergrammar/http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/http://www.worldwidewords.org/http://wordsmith.org/awad/index.htmlhttp://members.cox.net/govdocs/govspeak.htmlhttp://cougartown.com/slang.htmlhttp://www.hps.com/~tpg/ukdict/http://septicscompanion.com/http://www.internet-resources.com/writers/wrlinks-wordstuff.htmhttp://babelfish.altavista.com/http://translator.live.com/http://www.google.com/translate_thttp://dict.tu-chemnitz.de/http://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/writcent/hypergrammar/http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/http://www.worldwidewords.org/http://wordsmith.org/awad/index.htmlhttp://members.cox.net/govdocs/govspeak.htmlhttp://cougartown.com/slang.htmlhttp://www.hps.com/~tpg/ukdict/http://septicscompanion.com/http://www.internet-resources.com/writers/wrlinks-wordstuff.htmhttp://babelfish.altavista.com/http://translator.live.com/http://www.google.com/translate_thttp://dict.tu-chemnitz.de/

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