What Are Transition Words

What Are Transition Words Transition words are words or phrases used to link ideas together. They help your reader to see more than one point is important and both should be taken into consideration. They also indicate different ideas in the same paragraph or sentence are related. Lets get into the different types of transition words to make the concept clearer. This wont give you the full list of transition words, but will make it possible to easily recognize them. These words can be used to show two things agree with each other, are similar to each other, or youre giving additional information. When you are adding information or reinforcing an idea you might use one of the following transition words: Also In addition Likewise In the first place Not only (an additional also comes into the sentence when you use this one) Not to mention By the same token Coupled with In the light of Equally Some of these are also short, basic words such as: And To Again Also Like Then Transition words can be used to point out a contradiction, a limitation or an opposing point of view: Rather than Although this may be true On the contrary In contrast Despite In reality Then again Even though On the other hand At the same time But Rather Or Yet While Albeit Notwithstanding When you are trying to link cause and effect, write about something that is conditional or express an intention, you may also use transitional words: In the event of (or that) For the purpose of Inasmuch as For fear that As long as Granted that With this in mind In order to In view of Because of With this intention If Unless While When Whenever Another time youd use these words is when you want to give an example, support a point or emphasize it: Especially In other words For one thing For this reason That is to say In this case Must be remembered For example Notably Like Truly Chiefly Expressly Significantly In fact We also use transitional words to show that something has a consequence or result: Accordingly In that case As a result Thus Consequently Under these circumstances Hence Therefore Henceforth Forthwith We use them to make conclusions too: Generally speaking All things considered In the long run As shown In conclusion In a word As has been noted Given that After all In short By and large In any event All in all Obviously Definitely Ultimately and to define a time period At the present time Presently From time to time Sooner or later At the same time Simultaneously To begin with Meanwhile Eventually Finally Last Until Before Whenever Next Now Lastly (did you spot the transition word there?), transition words can indicate a place or space: In the middle Central to In the center of Adjacent to Opposite to In front of Near Below Under Down Up Beyond Amid Across Alongside Its important to note that none of these words and phrases are  actually wrong, Im inclined to think that using simple, straightforward language is best. This means that you often dont need to use many of the transition words listed above. For example, Im guilty of using in addition, but I could just as easily say also or even and. As for albeit and notwithstanding, Im inclined to think that but and nevertheless are every bit as good and much more accessible to a reader. For the purpose of is also one Ill admit to using, but it can easily be reduced to three letters. I prefer for and it will do the job just as well most of the time. As for At the present time, the word now is really all we need. In the event of is similar. It can be replaced with the two letter word if. Youll usually only use the wordier of these transition phrases in academic writing, and they can be helpful. After all, although your choice of transition words may not necessarily impress your teacher, you can use the longer phrases to stretch your word count. Remember, every time you write in the event of instead of if thats three words towards your target word count instead of one. For the purpose of could just be for, but then you only get one word instead of four. Transition words are handy, and everyone uses them a lot, but be careful about using excessively wordy ones unnecessarily.