4/23/2020 Complete List of Transition Words

Humanities › English

Complete List of Transition Words

100 Words and Phrases to Use Between Paragraphs

Share
SHARE Flipboard
FLIP Email
EMAIL

Viorika Prikhodko / E+ / Getty Images

By Grace Fleming
Updated February 03, 2020

Once you have completed the first draft of your paper, you will need to rewrite some of the
introductory sentences at the beginning and the transition statements at the end of every
paragraph. Transitions, which connect one idea to the next, may seem challenging at first, but
they get easier once you consider the many possible methods for linking paragraphs together—
even if they seem to be unrelated.

https://www.thoughtco.com/list-of-transition-words-1857002 1/14
4/23/2020 Complete List of Transition Words

https://www.thoughtco.com/list-of-transition-words-1857002 2/14
4/23/2020 Complete List of Transition Words

Transition words and phrases can help your paper move along, smoothly gliding from one topic
to the next. If you have trouble thinking of a way to connect your paragraphs, consider a few of
these 100 top transitions as inspiration. The type of transition words or phrases you use
depends on the category of transition you need, as explained below.

Additive Transitions
Probably the most common type, additive transitions are those you use when you want to show
that the current point is an addition to the previous one, notes Edusson, a website that provides
students with essay-writing tips and advice. Put another way, additive transitions signal to the
reader that you are adding to an idea and/or your ideas are similar, says Quizlet, an online
teacher and student learning community. Some examples of additive transition words and

https://www.thoughtco.com/list-of-transition-words-1857002 3/14
4/23/2020 Complete List of Transition Words

phrases were compiled by Michigan State University writing lab. Follow each transition word or
phrase with a comma:

Indeed

In the first place

And

Or

Too

Nor

Further

Moreover

Furthermore

In fact

Let alone

Alternatively

As well (as this)

What is more

In addition (to this)

Actually

Much less

On the other hand

Either (neither)

As a matter of fact

Besides (this)

To say nothing of

Additionally

Not to mention (this)

Not only (this) but also (that) as well

https://www.thoughtco.com/list-of-transition-words-1857002 4/14
4/23/2020 Complete List of Transition Words

In all honesty

To tell the truth

An example of additive transitions used in a sentence would be:

https://www.thoughtco.com/list-of-transition-words-1857002 5/14
4/23/2020 Complete List of Transition Words

"In the first place, no 'burning' in the sense of combustion, as in the burning of wood, occurs in a
volcano; moreover, volcanoes are not necessarily mountains; furthermore, the activity takes place
not always at the summit but more commonly on the sides or flanks..."
– Fred Bullard, "Volcanoes in History, in Theory, in Eruption"

https://www.thoughtco.com/list-of-transition-words-1857002 6/14
4/23/2020 Complete List of Transition Words

In this and the examples of transitions in subsequent sections, the transition words or phrases
are printed in italics to make them easier to find as you peruse the passages.

Adversative Transitions
Adversative transitions are used to signal conflict, contradiction, concession, and dismissal, says
Michigan State University. Examples include:

But

However

On the other hand

In contrast

While

Whereas

Conversely

Even more

Above all

But even so

Nevertheless

Nonetheless

Although

Though

However

(And) still

(And) yet

Either way

In either case

https://www.thoughtco.com/list-of-transition-words-1857002 7/14
4/23/2020 Complete List of Transition Words

(Or) at least

Whichever happens

Whatever happens

In ether event

An example of an adversative transition phrase used in a sentence would be:

"On the other hand, professor Smith completely disagreed with the author's argument."

Causal Transitions
Causal transitions—also called cause-and-effect transitions—show how certain circumstances or
events were caused by other factors, says Academic Help. The website that offers assistance
with academic writing adds: "They [causal transitions] make it easier for the reader to follow
the logic of the arguments and clauses represented in paper." Examples include:

Accordingly

And so

As a result

Consequently

For this reason

Hence

So

Then

Therefore

Thus

Granting (that)

On the condition (that)

In the event that

As a result (of this)

Because (of this)

As a consequence
https://www.thoughtco.com/list-of-transition-words-1857002 8/14
4/23/2020 Complete List of Transition Words

Consequently

In consequence

So much (so) that

For the purpose of

With this intention

With this in mind

Under those circumstances

That being the case

Then

An example of a causal transition used in a sentence would be:

"The study of human chromosomes is in its infancy, and so it has only recently become possible to
study the effect of environmental factors upon them."
–Rachel Carson, "Silent Spring"

Sequential Transitions
Sequential transitions express a numerical sequence, continuation, conclusion, digression,
resumption, or summation, says Michigan State, which gives these examples:

In the (first, second, third, etc.) place

To begin with

To start with

Initially

Secondly

Next

Subsequently

Before

Afterward

After this

To conclude with
https://www.thoughtco.com/list-of-transition-words-1857002 9/14
4/23/2020 Complete List of Transition Words

As a final point

Last but not least

To change the topic

Incidentally

By the way

To get back to the point

To resume

Anyhow

As was previously stated

So

In short

Thus
Advertisement
In sum

Finally

An example of a sequential transition would be:

"We should teach that words are not the things to which they refer. We should teach that words are
best understood as convenient tools for handling reality...Finally, we should teach widely that new
words can and should be invented if the need arises."
–Karol Janicki, "Language Misconceived"

In sum, use transition words and phrases judiciously to keep your paper moving, hold your
readers' attention, and retain your audience until the final word.

Cite this Article

https://www.thoughtco.com/list-of-transition-words-1857002 10/14
4/23/2020 Complete List of Transition Words

Article Article
What are Transitional Words and Examples of Paragraph Transitions
Phrases?

Article
Article What Are Transitional Expressions in
Practice Combining Sentences Using Grammar and Composition?
Transitional Words

Article Article
What Are Conjunctive Adverbs in The Difference Between 'Should' and
English? 'Would'

https://www.thoughtco.com/list-of-transition-words-1857002 11/14
4/23/2020 Complete List of Transition Words

Article Article
Learn About Causative Verbs In English What Are the Present and Past Forms
Grammar and See Some Examples of the Verb "To Be"

A book in the forest 4 o'clock

Article Article
Using the Past Participle in Italian Get Grammar Notes and Learn About
the Verb Essere ("To Be") in Italian

Woman with glasses writing in a

notebook at a desk A hand writes

Article
What Are Free Modi ers in English Article
Grammar? What Is Syntax?

https://www.thoughtco.com/list-of-transition-words-1857002 12/14
4/23/2020 Complete List of Transition Words

suspension bridge emphasis

Article Article
What Are Transitions in Composition? Ways of Achieving Emphasis in Writing
and in Speech

happy woman jumping

Roof trusses of new home construction

Article
So What? How To Say “So” in Spanish Article
What Are Function Words in English
Grammar?

Learn Something New Every Day

Enter Your Email SIGN UP

Follow Us

TRUSTe

Science, Tech, Math Humanities

https://www.thoughtco.com/list-of-transition-words-1857002 13/14
4/23/2020 Complete List of Transition Words

Languages Resources

About Us Advertise

Privacy Policy Cookie Policy

Careers Editorial Guidelines

Contact Terms of Use

California Privacy Notice

ThoughtCo is part of the Dotdash publishing family.

https://www.thoughtco.com/list-of-transition-words-1857002 14/14