Transitions words

Agreement / Addition / Similarity

Function: add information, reinforce ideas, and express agreement with

preceding material.
in the first place

again

moreover

not only ... but also

to

as well as

as a matter of fact

and

together with

in like manner

also

of course

in addition

then

likewise

coupled with

equally

comparatively

in the same fashion

/ way

identically

correspondingly

uniquely

similarly

like

furthermore

as

additionally

first, second, third

in the light of
not to mention
too
to say nothing of
equally important
by the same token

Opposition / Limitation / Contradiction

Function: express that there is evidence to the contrary or point

out alternatives, and thus introduce a change the line of reasoning (contrast).
although this may
be true

but

although

(and) still

instead

unlike

whereas

or

despite

(and) yet

conversely

while

otherwise

albeit

however

besides

rather

as much as

nevertheless

even though

nonetheless

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
regardless
then again
notwithstanding
above all
in reality
after all

Cause / Condition / Purpose

Function: These transitional phrases present specific conditions or intentions.

in the event that

If

in case

granted (that)

... then

provided that

as / so long as

unless

on (the) condition
(that)

given that
only / even if

when

so that

whenever

so as to

while

owing to

for the purpose of

with this intention
with this in mind
inasmuch as
in the hope that
because of

due to

to the end that

as
for fear that
since
in order to
while
seeing / being that
lest
in view of

Examples / Support / Emphasis

Function: used to introduce examples as support, to indicate importance or as

an illustration so that an idea is cued to the reader.
in other words

notably

in fact

to put it differently

including

in general

for one thing

like

in particular

as an illustration

to be sure

in detail

in this case

namely

for example

for this reason

chiefly

for instance

to put it another
way

truly

to demonstrate

indeed

to emphasize

certainly

to repeat

surely

to clarify

markedly

to explain

that is to say
with attention to
by all means

to enumerate
especially
important to
realize

specifically

another key point

expressively

first thing to
remember

surprisingly

such as

frequently
most compelling
evidence

significantly

must be
remembered
point often
overlooked
to point out
on the positive /
negative side
with this in mind

Effect / Consequence / Result

Function: words that are used to show that after a particular time there was a

consequence or an effect.
as a result

for

consequently

under those
circumstances

thus

therefore

because the

thereupon

then

forthwith

hence

accordingly

in that case
for this reason
in effect
henceforth

Conclusion / Summary / Restatement

Function: this words and phrases conclude, summarize and / or restate ideas,
or indicate a final general statement.
as can be seen

after all

by and large

generally speaking

in fact

to sum up

in the final analysis

in summary

on the whole

all things
considered

in conclusion

in any event

in short

in either case

in brief

all in all

as shown above
in the long run
in essence
given these points
to summarize

Obviously

on balance

Ultimately

altogether

Definitely

as has been noted

in a word
for the most part
overall

ordinarily
usually

Time / Chronology / Sequence

Function: They 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

after

henceforth

from time to time

later

whenever

sooner or later

last

eventually

at the same time

until

meanwhile

up to the present
time

till

further

since

during

then

in time

before

prior to

hence

forthwith

since

straightaway

to begin with
in due time
as soon as
as long as
in the meantime
when
in a moment
once

by the time

about

whenever

without delay
in the first place
next
all of a sudden
now
at this instant

until now

first, second

now that

immediately

formerly

instantly

quickly

suddenly

presently

finally

shortly

occasionally

Space / Location / Place

Function: have the function to restrict, limit or qualify space.

in the middle

here

further

to the left/right

there

beyond

in front of

next

nearby

on this side

where

wherever

in the distance

from

around

here and there

over

between

in the foreground

near

before

in the background

above

alongside

in the center of

below

amid

down

among

adjacent to

up

beneath

opposite to

under

beside
behind

across