Transition Words And Phrases: Why And How To Use Them

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Transition Words

If you are writing an assay that is full of idea and perfectly written but what if its not clear to your readers.

That’s where transition words come in. Transitions are words, phrases, sentences, that link one idea to another showing the connection between them.

What are a Transition Words?

A transition means a change from one idea to another. There are many transitions in English.

We use transitions to add information, to show contrast, to show condition, to show conclusion, etc.

There are a lot of transition words out there, and they play very important role in English because they can join idea within the sentences and more importantly they can join two sentences.

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Why Transition Words are so Important?

They create flow in your writing.

Flow makes easier to understand your assay or writing and also makes your content a little bit more interesting to your reader.

Transition words also act as a connecting bridge within the sentences and also between the sentences.

Categories of Transition Words

Causation: These words and phrases are used to connecting instigator(s) to consequence(s) and used after a sentence or paragraph that describes a cause.

  • Accordingly
  • As a result
  • And
  • So
  • Because
  • Consequently
  • For that reason
  • Hence
  • On account of
  • Since
  • Therefore
  • Thus

The plant is growing very fast. [Accordingly / Consequently / As such] it is necessary to cut new branches.

Because he failed to respond, John and Steve offered coffee.

The speaker’s flight has been cancelled. [Therefore / As such / As a result] we will reschedule the conference lecture.

Monday is a national holiday. [As a result / Accordingly / Thus / Hence / Consequently] classes will be canceled.

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Chronology:It is widely used to connect what issues in regard to when they occur.

  • After
  • Afterwards
  • Always,
  • At length
  • During
  • Earlier
  • Following
  • Immediately
  • In the meantime
  • Later
  • Never
  • Next
  • Now
  • Once
  • Simultaneously
  • So far
  • Sometimes
  • Soon
  • Subsequently
  • Then
  • This time
  • Until now
  • When
  • Whenever
  • While

I went to the school after he gave me bike.

He almost always wins lottery.

During the morning, you can play.

First, we are going fishing. Then, we will get ready for movie.

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Combinations: It connects multiple events or numerous elements that create long sentences.

  • Additionally
  • Again
  • Also
  • And
  • Or
  • Not
  • As a result
  • Besides
  • Even more
  • Finally
  • First,
  • Firstly
  • Further
  • Furthermore
  • In addition
  • In the first place
  • In the second place
  • Last
  • Lastly
  • Moreover
  • Next
  • Second
  • Secondly
  • Too

Steve promised to respect, love and also obey his wife.

Moreover, he will do all the cleaning and cooking while he cooks at home.

Furthermore, he is grateful that his girlfriend earns enough money his groceries.

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Contrast: It connect two sentences by focusing on their differences.

  • After all
  • Although
  • And yet
  • At the same time
  • But
  • Despite
  • However
  • In contrast
  • Nevertheless
  • Nonetheless
  • Notwithstanding
  • On the contrary
  • On the other hand
  • Otherwise
  • Though
  • Yet

Jones argues for the Oxford comma, although everyone doesn’t agree.

I ran home, but I was still late.

Despite the last fight, it is also very important to think about dogs.

During my Chicago trip, I went to see my friend. However, I wasn’t sure.

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Example: It connects a general idea to a particular instance of this idea.

  • As an illustration
  • e.g., (from a Latin abbreviation for “for example”)
  • For example
  • For instance
  • Specifically
  • That is
  • To demonstrate
  • To illustrate

Importance: It connect what is critical to what is more inconsequential.

  • Chiefly
  • Critically
  • Foundationally
  • Most importantly
  • Of less importance
  • Primarily

Location: It connect elements according to where they are placed in relationship to each other.

  • Above
  • Adjacent to
  • Below
  • Beyond
  • Centrally
  • Here
  • Nearby
  • Neighboring on
  • Opposite to
  • Peripherally
  • There
  • Wherever
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Similarity: It connect to things by suggesting that they are in some way alike.

  • By the same token
  • In like manner in Similar fashion
  • Here
  • In the same way
  • Likewise
  • Wherever

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