Agreement / Addition / Similarity

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

then

not only ... but also

equally

as a matter of fact

identically

in like manner

uniquely

in addition

like

coupled with

as

in the same fashion / way

too

first, second, third

moreover

in the light of

as well as

not to mention

together with

to say nothing of

of course

equally important

likewise

by the same token

comparatively

again

correspondingly

to

similarly

and

furthermore

also

additionally

Opposition / Limitation / Contradiction

Transition phrases like but, rather and or, express that there is evidence to thecontrary 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

in reality

although

after all

instead

but

whereas

(and) still

despite

unlike

conversely

or

otherwise

(and) yet

however

while

rather

albeit

nevertheless

besides

nonetheless

as much as

regardless

even though

notwithstanding

Cause / Condition / Purpose

These transitional phrases present specific conditions or intentions.
in the event that
granted (that)

when

as / so long as

whenever

on (the) condition (that)

while

for the purpose of

because of

with this intention

as

with this in mind

since

in the hope that

while

to the end that

lest

for fear that

in case

in order to

provided that

seeing / being that

given that

in view of

only / even if

If

so that

... then

so as to

unless

owing to

inasmuch as

due to

Examples / Support / Emphasis

These transitional devices (like especially) are used to introduce examples assupport, to indicate
importance or as an illustration so that an idea is cued to the reader.
in other words

chiefly

to put it differently

truly

for one thing

indeed

as an illustration

certainly

in this case

surely

for this reason

markedly

to put it another way

such as

that is to say
with attention to

especially

by all means

explicitly
specifically

important to realize

expressly

another key point

surprisingly

first thing to remember

frequently

most compelling evidence

significantly

must be remembered

particularly

point often overlooked

in fact

to point out

in general

on the positive side

in particular

on the negative side

in detail

with this in mind

for example

notably

for instance

including

to demonstrate

like

to emphasize

to be sure

to repeat

namely

to clarify

to explain

to enumerate

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

then

under those circumstances

hence

in that case

consequently

for this reason

therefore

in effect

thereupon

for

forthwith

thus

accordingly

because the

henceforth

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

for the most part

generally speaking

after all

in the final analysis

in fact

all things considered

in summary

as shown above

in conclusion

in the long run

in short

given these points

in brief

as has been noted

in essence

in a word

to summarize

on balance

in either case

altogether

all in all

overall
ordinarily
usually

Obviously

by and large

Ultimately

to sum up

Definitely

on the whole
in any event
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

finally

from time to time

after

sooner or later

later

at the same time

last

up to the present time

until

to begin with

till

in due time

since

as soon as

then

as long as

before

in the meantime

hence

in a moment

since

without delay

when

in the first place

once

all of a sudden

about

at this instant

next

first, second

now

immediately

formerly

quickly

suddenly

shortly
henceforth

by the time

whenever

whenever

eventually
meanwhile

until now

further

now that

during
in time

instantly

prior to

presently

forthwith

occasionally

straightaway
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 timein 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 theTime category and can be
used to describe spatial order or spatial reference.
in the middle

opposite to

to the left/right

here

in front of

there

on this side

next

in the distance

where

here and there

from

in the foreground

over

in the background

near

in the center of

above
below

adjacent to

down

up

before

under

alongside

further

amid

beyond

among

nearby

beneath

wherever

beside

around

behind

between

across