Transition words and phrases (also called linking words, connecting words, or transitional words) are used to link together different ideas in your text. They help the reader to follow your arguments by expressing the relationships between different sentences or parts of a sentence.
For understandable speaking and writing, it’s essential to understand the meaning of transition words and use them correctly.
Don’t overuse transition words
While transition words are essential to clear speaking and writing, it’s possible to use too many of them.
Types and examples of transition words
There are four main types of transition words: additive, adversative, causal, and sequential.
Within each category, words are divided into several more specific functions.
Remember that transition words with similar meanings are not necessarily interchangeable. It’s important to understand the meaning of all the transition words you use. If unsure, consult a dictionary to find the precise definition.
Below is a complete list of linking and connecting words
Linking Words – Result
Function: To provide the result of what has been stated or has occurred
- Accordingly
- As a consequence (of)
- As a result
- Consequently
- Due to
- For this reason
- Forthwith
- Hence
- Then
- Therefore
- Thereupon
- Thus
Connecting Words – Emphasis
Function: To put forward a point or idea more forcefully
- Above all
- Absolutely
- Chiefly
- Clearly
- Definitely
- Especially
- Even
- Importantly
- In detail
- In truth
- Indeed
- It should be noted
- Naturally
- Never
- Obviously
- Of course
- Particularly / in particular
- Positively
- Surprisingly
- To clarify
- To emphasize
- To repeat
- Truly
- Undoubtedly
- Unquestionably
- With attention
- Without a doubt
Linking Words – Addition
Function: To add to what has been previously stated
- Additionally/an additional
- Along with
- Also
- And
- Apart from this
- As well as
- As well as that
- Besides
- Coupled with
- Finally
- First
- Further
- Furthermore
- In addition
- In addition to this
- In the same fashion
- Last
- Moreover
- Not only…but also
- Not to mention
- Second
- Similarily
- Third
- Together with
- Too
Linking Words – Reason
Function: To provide reasons for what has been stated or has occurred
- Because of
- For the purpose of
- Given that
- Granted that
- In fact
- In order to
- In view of
- Owing to
- Provided that
- Seeing that
- So that
- With this in mind
- With this intention
- With this purpose
Connecting Words – Illustration
Function: To provide examples
- As an example of
- For example/ For instance
- For one thing
- Illustrated by
- In another case
- In the case of
- In this case
- In this situation
- Including
- Like
- Namely
- On this occasion
- Proof of this
- Specifically
- Such as
- To clarify
- To demonstrate
- To demonstrate/ To clarify
- To simplify
Linking Words – Contrast
Function: To show how things are different
- Alternatively
- As opposed to
- Contrarily
- Contrary to
- Conversely
- Despite/in spite of
- Differing from
- Even so
- However
- In contrast (to)
- In opposition
- Instead
- Nevertheless
- Nonetheless
- Nor
- Notwithstanding
- On the other hand
- Rather
- Though
- Unlike
- Up against
- Whereas
- While
- Yet
Linking Words – Comparison
Function: To show how things are similar
- Alike
- As with
- Both
- By the same token
- Compare / compare(d) to (with)
- Correspondingly
- Either
- Equal
- Equally
- In a similar manner
- In common
- In like manner
- In the same way
- In the spitting image of
- Just as
- Just as…so too
- Just like
- Likewise
- Most important
- Resembles
- Same as
- Similar to
- Similarly
- Still another
Connecting Words – Order
1. Function: To indicate the order of what is being said
- First/ firstly
- Second/ secondly
- Third/ thirdly
- Finally
- At this time
- Following
- Previously
- Before
- Subsequently
2. Function: To mark the end of an ascending order
- Above all
- Lastly and most importantly
- Last but not least
3. Definition: To mark the beginning of a descending order
- First and foremost…
Connecting Words – Summary
Function: To sum up what has been previously stated
- All things considered
- Altogether
- As demonstrated above
- As noted
- As shown above
- As you can see
- Briefly
- By and large
- Generally speaking
- Given these points
- In a word
- In any event
- In brief
- In conclusion
- In essence
- In short
- In summary
- In the end
- In the final analysis
- On the whole
- Overall
- Therefore
- To conclude
- To end
- To sum up
- To summarise
- Ultimately
Linking Words – Condition
Function: To provide a condition to what has been stated
- Although this may be true
- As
- Because of
- Even if
- Given that
- Granted that
- If
- In that case
- In the event that
- Lest
- On the condition that
- Only if
- Since
- Then
- Unless
- When
- Whenever
- While
Connecting Words – Concession
Function: Connecting words and phrases to accept a point or idea with reservation
- Admittedly
- Albeit
- All the same
- Although
- Although/Even though
- And still
- And yet
- Be that as it may
- Even if
- Even so
- Even though
- However
- In spite of
- Nevertheless
- Nonetheless
- Regardless of this
- Up to a point
Connecting Words – Generalisation
Function: To make a general statement
- As a rule
- Broadly speaking
- Commonly
- For the most part
- Generally speaking
- In general/ Generally
- In most cases
- Mainly
- More often than not
- Mostly
- Normally
- Often
- On the whole
- On the whole
- Overall
- Predominately
- Regularly
- Typically
Connecting Words – Restatement
Function: To express an alternative to what has been previously stated
- Alternatively
- Alternatively stated
- Expressed simply
- In a nutshell
- In other words
- In short
- In simple language
- In simple terms
- In summation
- Namely
- Otherwise stated
- Put differently
- Put in another way
- Reiterated
- Said differently
- Simplified
- Simply put
- That is to say
- To put it differently
Connecting Words – Reference
Function: To a relationship between continuing ideas presented in your essay.
- As applied to
- As far as
- Concerning
- Considering
- In connection to
- In terms
- Pertaining to
- Regarding
- Some examples of these might be:
- Speaking about/of
- The fact that
- With regards to
- With respect to
Connecting Words – Clarification
Function: To indicate that you will be exploring your ideas in more detail.
- I mean
- In explanation
- In lay terms
- In other words
- In simple terms
- Simply put
- Simply stated
- That is to say
- To break it down
- To clearly define
- To explain
- To make plain
- To put it clearly
- To put it in another way
- To simplify
Connecting Words – Space/ Location
Function: To clarify spatial relationships/ provide spatial order and reference.
- Across
- Adjacent
- Adjacent
- Around
- At the rear
- Below
- Beneath
- Near
- Nearby
- Next to
- On bottom
- On top
- Opposite
- Over
- Surrounding
- To the left
- Underneath
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