Common Transition Words
Joan Sedita, M.Ed.
Transition words can be very helpful when you are writing. They help connect the ideas between your sentences and paragraphs. They help the reader understand what you are trying to say. Post a copy of these transition words in a place where you can see it when you are writing.
Purpose
1. To add information or continue a line of thought
2. To limit, contradict, or contrast an idea
3. To stress a point
4. To illustrate a point
5. To show cause/effect or results
6. To list, to present a series of events/ideas
7. To indicate time order
8. To indicate spatial order
9. To summarize or conclude
Words and Phrases
1. And, too, also, in addition, again, further, besides, another, equally important, similarly
2. But, yet, however, still, on the contrary, although, nevertheless, on the other hand
3. Above all, even more, in other words, most important
4. For example, for instance, as you will see, to illustrate
5. Therefore, as a result, consequently, for this reason, because
6. First, second, third, then, next, after that, lastly, finally
7. Before, after, since, then, later, finally, in the meantime, now, at this time, during, presently, eventually, gradually, afterward
8. Here, there, beyond, farther on, to the left/right, over, between, beside, nearby, below
9. Therefore, in conclusion, in other words, as a result, on the whole, in summary, in short, to sum up
© Sedita Learning Strategies
Joan Sedita, M.Ed., an experienced educator, nationally recognized speaker, and author, is director of Sedita Learning Strategies, a consulting and teacher-training service.
This article is reprinted from the Student Newsletter for Success, Volume 2, May 2003, published by LDW® through a generous grant from Commonwealth Learning Center. The purpose of the Newsletter is for parents to share with their children, for teachers to distribute to their students, and for pediatricians to leave in their waiting room for clients.