1.
TRANSITIONAL WORDS AND PHRASES
SHOWING RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN AND BETWEEN SENTENCES
Transitional words and phrases connect and relate ideas, sentences, and paragraphs. They assist in the
logical flow of ideas as they signal the relationship between sentences and paragraphs. In prose, the material
is supported and conditioned not only by the ordering of the material (its position) but by connectives which
signal order, relationship and movement.
Some of the more commonly used connectives are listed below. Note especially how these connections
function to develop, relate, connect and move ideas,
1. To signal addition of ideas
and, also, besides, further, furthermore, too, moreover, in addition,
then, of equal importance, equally important, another
2. To signal time
next, afterward, finally, later, last, lastly, at last, now, subsequently,
then, when, soon, thereafter, after a short time, the next week (month,
day, etc.), a minute later, in the meantime, meanwhile, on the
following day, at length, ultimately, presently
3. To signal order or sequence
first, second, (etc.), finally, hence, next, then, from here on, to begin
with, last of all, after, before, as soon as, in the end, gradually
4, To signify space and place
‘above, behind, below, beyond, here, there, to the right (left), nearby,
opposite, on the other side, in the background, directly ahead, along
the wall, as you tum right, at the tip, across the hall, at this point,
adjacent to
5. To signal an example
for example, to illustrate, for instance, to be specific, such as,
moreover, furthermore, just as important, similarly, in the same way
6. To show resull
as a result, hence, so, accordingly, as a consequence, consequently,
thus, since, therefore, for this reason, because of this
7. To signal purpose
to this end, for this purpose, with this in mind, for this reason, for these
8. To signal comparisons
like, in the same (like) manner or way, similarly
9. To indicate contrast
but, in contrast, conversely, however, still, nevertheless, nonetheless,
yet, and yet, on the other hand, of course, on the contrary, or, in spite
of this, actually, a year ago, now, notwithstanding, for all that,
strangely enough, ironically
10. To signal alterna
exceptions, and objections
although, though, while, despite, to be sure, it is true, true, I grant,
granted, I admit, admittedly, doubtless, I concede, regardless
11. To dispute
12. To intensify
it isn’t true that, people are wrong who say that, deny that, be that as it
may, by the same token, no doubt, we often hear it said, many people
claim, many people suppose, it used to be thought, in any case
above all, first and foremost, importantly, again, to be sure, indeed, in
fact, as a matter of fact, as I have said, as has been noted
13. To summarize or repeat
in summary, to sum up, to repeat, briefly, in short, finally, on the
whole, therefore, as I have said, in conclusion, as you can see
Additionally, pronouns act as connectives when they are used to refer to a noun in the preceding sentences
Repetition of key words and phrases and the use of synonyms which echo important words both serve to
establish connections with previous sentences
READING — Transitional Words and Phrases: Showing Relationships Within and Between Sentences
rev. July 2005
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