RANES, Jan Trisha A.

STEM 1A

TRANSITION WORDS & PHRASES

Agreement / Addition / Similarity
The transition words like also, in addition, and, likewise, add
information, reinforce ideas, and express agreement with preceding material.
in the
place

first

to say nothing of

as

equally important

too

by the same token

moreover

again

as well as

to

together with

and

of course

also

likewise

then

comparatively

equally

correspondingly

first, second, third

identically

similarly

in the light of

uniquely

furthermore

not to mention

like

additionally

not only ... but

also
as a matter of fact
in like manner
in addition
coupled with
in the same
fashion / way

Opposition / Limitation / Contradiction

Transition phrases like but, rather and or, 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

at the same time

in contrast

in spite of

different from

even so / though

of course ..., but

be that as it may

on the other hand

then again

on the contrary

above all

RANES, Jan Trisha A.

STEM 1A

TRANSITION WORDS & PHRASES

in reality

although

after all

instead

but

whereas

(and) still

despite

unlike

conversely

or

otherwise

(and) yet

however

while

rather
nevertheless

albeit

nonetheless

besides

regardless

as much as

notwithstanding

even though

Cause / Condition / Purpose

These transitional phrases present specific conditions or intentions.

in the event that

with this in mind

granted (that)

in the hope that

as / so long as

to the end that

on (the) condition (that)

for fear that

for the purpose of

in order to

with this intention

seeing / being that

RANES, Jan Trisha A.

STEM 1A

TRANSITION WORDS & PHRASES

in view of

while

If

because of

... then

as

unless

since

when

while

whenever

lest

in case

so as to

provided that

owing to

given that

inasmuch as

only / even if

due to

so that

Examples / Support / Emphasis

These transitional devices (like especially) are 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

to put it another
way

first thing to
remember

to put it
differently

that is to say

most compelling
evidence

for one thing

with attention to

as an illustration

by all means

must be
remembered

in this case

important to
realize

point often
overlooked

another key point

to point out

for this reason

RANES, Jan Trisha A.

STEM 1A

TRANSITION WORDS & PHRASES

on the positive
side

markedly

for example

such as

for instance

on the negative
side

especially

to demonstrate

with this in mind

explicitly

to emphasize

notably

specifically

to repeat

including

expressly

to clarify

like

surprisingly

to explain

to be sure

frequently

to enumerate

namely

significantly

chiefly

particularly

truly

in fact

indeed

in general

certainly

in particular

surely

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

under those circumstances

in effect

in that case

for

RANES, Jan Trisha A.

STEM 1A

TRANSITION WORDS & PHRASES

thus

thereupon

because the

forthwith

then

accordingly

hence

henceforth

consequently
therefore

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

in fact

to sum up

generally
speaking

in summary

on the whole

in conclusion

in any event

in short

in either case

in brief

all in all

in essence

Obviously

to summarize

Ultimately

on balance

Definitely

in the final
analysis
all things
considered
as shown above
in the long run
given these points
as has been noted
in a word
for the most part
after all

altogether
overall
ordinarily
usually
by and large

RANES, Jan Trisha A.

STEM 1A

TRANSITION WORDS & PHRASES

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

quickly

formerly

from time to time

finally

suddenly

sooner or later

after

shortly

at the same time

later

henceforth

up to the present
time

last

whenever

until

eventually

till

meanwhile

since

further

then

during

before

in time

hence

prior to

since

forthwith

when

straightaway

once

by the time

about

whenever

next

until now

now

now that

to begin with
in due time
as soon as
as long as
in the meantime
in a moment
without delay
in the first place
all of a sudden
at this instant
first, second
immediately

RANES, Jan Trisha A.

STEM 1A

TRANSITION WORDS & PHRASES

instantly

occasionally

presently

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 time in 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 the Time category and can be used to describe spatial order or spatial reference.

in the middle

opposite to

down

to the left/right

here

up

in front of

there

under

on this side

next

further

in the distance

where

beyond

here and there

from

nearby

in the foreground

over

wherever

in the background

near

around

in the centre of

above

between

adjacent to

below

before

RANES, Jan Trisha A.

STEM 1A

TRANSITION WORDS & PHRASES

alongside

beneath

amid

beside

among

behind

across