Transition Words and Phrases!

Transition Words and Phrases for Academic Writers

Transitions help you organize your thoughts with a clear, logical flow. Refer to this list as you write. Consequently, you’ll develop an intelligent, educated, I-know-what-I’m-talking-about writing style. Because we are using formal or semi-formal voice, this list does not include casual transitions (e.g. “plus,” “anyway,” or beginning a sentence with “so”). Don’t be afraid to experiment. Use terms you’ve never used before. In order to do so correctly, consult a source such as a dictionary or a search engine for examples. Then ask a more experienced writer for help. In addition to studying these words as you write, you should try to identify them in the books and articles you read. Can you find the transitions in this paragraph?

To clue you in on when and how to use these terms, I've arranged them by organizational strategy: time, sequence, place, comparison, contrast, explanation, examples/elaboration, cause and effect, concession, subordination, and summary/conclusion. This list is by no means comprehensive. Comment below to add any transitions I've missed! 

Time

after a few days

afterward

as long as

as soon as

at last

at length

at that time

at the same time

before

before long

earlier

following

formerly

from now on

from then on

immediately

initially

in the meantime

in the past

lately

later

meanwhile

now

presently

previously

prior to that

shortly

simultaneously

since

so far

soon

subsequently

suddenly

temporarily

then

thereafter

until

when

while

Sequence

again

also

besides

finally

first . . . second . . . third

furthermore

last

moreover

next

next in importance

still

then

too

in addition to

in the first place

another

first of all

Place

above

across

adjacent to

around

behind

below

between

closer to

elsewhere

far

farther on

here

inside

near

nearby

opposite to

outside

over

there

through

to the left/right

under

Comparison

again

also

in the same way

similarly

in comparison

equally important

or

in addition

in like manner

in similar manner

Contrast

after all

although

but

conversely

even though

having said that

however

in another sense

in contrast

in spite of

instead

nevertheless

nonetheless

notwithstanding

otherwise

on the contrary

on one hand . . . on the other hand

regardless

still

then again

though

whereas

yet

Explanation

in order to

in other words (i.e.)

that is to say
to

to put it another way

to that end

Examples/Elaboration

after all

another thing to remember

as well as

besides

coupled with

even

for example (e.g.)

for instance

further

furthermore

incidentally

importantly

in addition

in fact

in other words

in particular

likewise

moreover

namely

notably

not only . . . but also

not to mention

particularly

significantly

specifically

that is

the following example

too

to give an illustration

to illustrate

to say nothing of

Cause and Effect

accordingly

as a result

because

cause

consequently

for this purpose

for this reason

hence

if . . . then

in order to

so that

then

therefore

thereupon

thus

to this end

Concession

although it is true that

accepting the data

admittedly

after all

and yet

at the same time

despite this

granted that

in any event

in light of

in view of

it may appear that

naturally

nevertheless

nonetheless

notwithstanding

of course

perhaps

with this in mind

Subordination

albeit
although

as

as if

as though

because

if

though

unless

until

when

whenever

whether

while

Summary/Conclusion

above all

accordingly

add to this

as a result

as has been noted

as I have said

as mentioned earlier

as we have seen

all things considered

altogether

briefly

consequently

finally

for these reasons

hence

indeed

in any event

in brief

in conclusion

in other words

in short

in summary

more important

of course

on the whole

that is

therefore

thus

ultimately