Transition Words and Phrases: Useful List with Example Sentences

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As a “part of speech” transition words are used to link words, phrases or sentences. They help the reader to progress from one idea (expressed by the author) to the next idea. Thus, they help to build up coherent relationships within the text. In this lesson, you will learn a list of useful transition words and phrases in English.

Transition Words and Phrases

Transition Words of Addition

List of transition words of addition.

• As well as
• And
• Too
• Furthermore
• Also
• In addition to
• Not only – but also
• Or
• And
• In addition to
• Furthermore
• Moreover
• Besides
• Than
• Too
• Also
• Both-and
• Another
• Equally important
• First
• Second
• Again
• Further
• As well as
• In the second place
• Next, likewise
• Similarly
• For example
• For instance
• However

Transition words of addition with examples

• As well as

He plays classical music, as well as pop and jazz.

• And

There is no paradise on earth equal to the union of love and innocence

• Too

‘Nice to talk to you.’–‘Nice to talk to you too.’.

• Furthermore

He is lazy, and furthermore, he has no sense of responsibility.

• Also

The rehearsal process also irked him increasingly.

• In addition to

The film star has an incredible car in addition to a large house.

• Not only – but also

We do not only meet to share each other’s burdens but also to partake in each other’s joys.

• Or

Music has charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks or bend a knotted oak.

Transition Words of Illustration

List of transition words of illustration.

• Thus
• For example
• For instance
• Namely
• To illustrate
• In other words
• In particular
• Specifically
• Such as
• In this case
• For one thing
• In the case of
• Illustrated by

Transition words of illustration with examples.

• Such as

America wants to eliminate tariffs on items such as electronics.

• In this case

 In this case, several solutions could be tried.

• For one thing

For one thing, intelligence does have some impact on foreign policy, for example, towards rogue states.

• For instance

Murder, petty theft and tax evasion, for instance, all have different motives and consequences.

• For example

There is a similar word in many languages, for example in French and Italian.

• In the case of

In the case of the car industry, in the case of Ford, it’s even higher.

• Illustrated by

The difference is best illustrated by a case example.

• As an example

It is given only as an example which is easy to state.

Transition Words of Cause and Effect

List of cause and effect transition words.

• Consequently
• Therefore
• So
• Because
• Thus
• Hence
• Due to
• As a result

Cause and effect transition words with examples.

• Therefore

He has broken his leg and therefore he can’t walk.

• So

Places are strictly limited, so you should apply as soon as possible.

• Because

Because friendships enhance our lives, it is important to cultivate them.

• Thus

He didn’t work hard. Thus he was fired.

• Hence

Cocaine production requires large amounts of water, hence factories are nearly always built by streams.

• Due to

The country economic problems are largely due to the weakness of the recovery.

• As a result

As a result, he went bankrupt soon.

• Consequently

My car broke down and consequently I was late.

Transition Words of Comparison

List of comparison transition words.

• Similarly
• Likewise
• In like fashion
• In like manner
• Analogous to
• As …as
• As if
• Equally
• Similarly
• Like
• In the same way

Comparison transition words with examples

• As …as

He is as tall as his brother.

• As if

Since his cancer was diagnosed, he feels as if he’s living on borrowed time.

• Equally

False humility and its obverse, arrogance, are equally unpleasant.

• Similarly

Similarly, Fire Support Company had to set up their display of mortars, anti-tank missiles and Scimitar tracked recce vehicles.

• Like

Benefits please like flowers, while they are fresh

• In the same way

We like them in the same way that we like pretty curtain material.

• Comparable

Its brain is closely comparable to the brain of a chimpanzee.

• In like manner

And in like manner buyers will fence, and pretend to be less eager than they really are.

Transition Words of Contrast

List of contrast transition words

• On the contrary
• Contrarily
• Notwithstanding
• But
• However
• Nevertheless
• In spite of
• In contrast
• Yet
• On the one hand
• On the other hand
• Rather
• Or
• Nor
• Conversely
• At the same time
• While this may be true

Contrast transition words with examples

• But

Weak men wait for opportunity, but the strong men make it.

• However

The ant is the most industrious animal; however, it is the most taciturn one.

• On the other hand

I want to go to the party, on the other hand, I ought to be studying.

• Otherwise

Shut the window, otherwise, it’ll get too cold in here.

• Unlike

Dan’s actually quite nice, unlike his father.

• Conversely

In real life, nobody was all bad, nor, conversely, all good.

• At the same time

I was afraid of her, but at the same time, I really liked her.

• In spite of

In spite of my efforts, the boy remained passive.

Transition Words of Emphasis

List of transition words of emphasis

• Above all
• Indeed
• Truly
• Of course
• Certainly
• Surely
• In fact
• Really
• In truth
• Again
• Besides
• Also
• Furthermore
• In addition

Transition words of emphasis with examples

• Especially

Divorce is very painful, especially when children are concerned.

• Also

The study also demonstrated a direct link between obesity and mortality.

• In particular

The military, in particular, were subjected to intense political indoctrination.

• Furthermore

He is old and unpopular. Furthermore, he has at best only two years of political life ahead of him.

• In addition

The company provides cheap Internet access. In addition, it makes shareware freely available.

• Indeed

This was indeed the most memorable day of my life.

• Of course

In any of these discussions, of course, honesty is of the essence.

• Certainly

There certainly wasn’t any malice in her comments.

Transition Words of Order

List of transition words of order

• First/ firstly
• Second/ secondly
• Third/ thirdly
• Finally
• At that time
• Previously
• Before

List of transition words of order with examples

• First/ firstly

Firstly, they must make certain that their pension needs are adequately catered for.

• Second/ secondly

Firstly, it’s expensive, and secondly, it’s too slow.

• Third/ thirdly

Thirdly, they tend to see human behaviour as shaped by the system.

• Finally

I kept at it and finally finished at 3 o’clock in the morning

• At that time

At that time, it was completely unheard-of for girls to go to university.

• Previously

A number of trades, previously thought of as lowly ones, began to receive more attention.

• Before

He snatched the photos out of my hand before I had a chance to look at them.

Transition Words of Summary/ Conclusion

List of transition words of conclusion

• In conclusion
• To summarise
• Altogether
• In short
• To sum up
• Briefly
• To conclude
• Therefore
• Finally
• Consequently
• Thus
• In short
• In conclusion
• In brief
• As a result
• Accordingly

Transition words of conclusion with examples

• In conclusion

In conclusion, walking is a cheap, safe, enjoyable, and readily available form of exercise.

• To summarise

To summarise, this is a clever approach to a common problem.

• Altogether

Altogether, our achievements are very great.

• In short

Try tennis, badminton or windsurfing. In short, anything challenging.

• To sum up

Well, to sum up, what is the message that you are trying to get across?

• In summary

In summary, all government departments are administered rather differently.

• Briefly

Briefly, the hunter and his quarry glared at each other.

• To conclude

To conclude, I’d like to express my thanks to my family.

Transition Words of Time & Sequence

List of transition words of time & sequence

• Later
• After
• Before
• Then
• Soon
• Finally
• First, second…

List of transition words of time & sequence with examples

• Later

Later, it transpired she had failed the examination.

• After

It is not enough to help the feeble up but to support him after.

• Before

Before you give up, think of the reason why you held on so long.

• Then

If you doubt yourself, then indeed you stand on shaky11 ground.

• Soon

Always taking out the meal-tub, and never putting in, soon comes to the bottom.

• Finally

Finally, he returned to the official line from which he had swerved.

• First, second…

First, catch your hare then cook him.

Transition Words of Direction & Place

List of transition words of direction & place

• Here
• Over there
• Beyond
• Under
• To the left
• In the distance
• Opposite

List of transition words of direction & place with examples

• Here is a summary of the news/a news summary.
• Are they friends of yours, over there?

Transition Words and Phrases | Infographic