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Popular Transition Words & Phrases in English

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Transition words & phrases in English are used to combine two clauses or sentences presenting contrast, comparison, condition, supposition, purpose, …

Transition words and phrases enable us to establish clear connections between ideas. Most linking words can either connect clauses within a sentence or start a sentence to form
a link with the previous statement.

Transition Words & Phrases

What are Transition Words and Phrases?

Transition words and phrases are words and phrases that connect ideas, sentences, and paragraphs. They indicate a logical relationship between the ideas being presented and help to guide the reader through the text. They can be used to show a contrast, to give an example, to show cause and effect, to show time relationships, or to summarize.

Some examples of transition words and phrases include “however,” “therefore,” “as a result,” “in addition,” “furthermore,” “in contrast,” and “nevertheless.” They are important in both written and spoken communication to make the text clear, easy to understand and more effective.

List of Transition Words & Phrases

Comparison

  • Similarly
  • Equally
  • Likewise
  • In like manner
  • Like
  • In the same way
  • Comparable
  • As…as
  • As if

Time & Sequence

  • Before
  • After
  • Afterward
  • Then
  • Next
  • First, second, …
  • Finally
  • Soon
  • Later

Addition

  • As well as
  • And
  • Too
  • Furthermore
  • Also
  • In addition to
  • Not only … but also
  • Or

Direction & Place

  • Here
  • There
  • Over there
  • Beyond
  • Opposite
  • Under
  • Above
  • To the left
  • In the distance

Illustration

  • Illustrated by
  • In the case of
  • Such as
  • For example
  • As an example
  • For instance
  • In this case
  • For one thing

Cause & Effect

  • Therefore
  • So
  • Because
  • Thus
  • Hence
  • Due to
  • As a result
  • Consequently

Contrast

  • But
  • However
  • On the other hand
  • Otherwise
  • Unlike
  • Conversely
  • At the same time
  • In spite of

Emphasis

  • Markedly
  • Especially
  • Specifically
  • Expressively
  • Surprisingly
  • Frequently
  • Significantly
  • With this in mind
  • Important to
  • Another key point
  • Indeed
  • In particular

How to Use Transition Words and Phrases in Sentences

Examples of how to use transition words and phrases in sentences and paragraphs:

  • Conjunctive adverbs: “However, the data shows that the new product is not performing as well as expected.”
  • Transitional expressions: “On the one hand, the company’s profits have increased, but on the other hand, customer satisfaction has decreased.”
  • Prepositional phrases: “In addition to increasing sales, the new marketing campaign has also improved brand awareness.”
  • Use of transition words and phrases in a paragraph: “The new policy has been met with mixed reactions. On the one hand, it has been praised for its ability to reduce costs. However, it has also been criticized for its negative impact on employee morale. In addition to these concerns, there are also worries that the policy may not be sustainable in the long term. Despite these challenges, the company is committed to implementing the policy and finding ways to mitigate any negative effects.”
  • Conjunctions: “The meeting was long and arduous, but ultimately productive.”

It’s important to note that using transition words and phrases correctly can help to make your writing clear, smooth, and easy to understand. It also helps to show the relationship between ideas and make your writing more coherent.

Transition Words & Phrases | Image

Transition Words & Phrases

Transition Words & Phrases

Transition Words & Phrases

Linking Words & Phrases

Linking Words & Phrases

Luna

Sunday 13th of November 2022

Thanks! I am almost a master of TOFEL junior!

severin

Monday 12th of September 2022

Is " most popular" a transition word?

L Klein

Wednesday 18th of August 2021

I find lots of these lists. I have not found which are most common or any order to teach.

Beau

Thursday 3rd of December 2020

hello

TORRE France

Tuesday 24th of November 2020

Thank you for this charts. They are great !