Temporal Transition Words

Common Transition Words and Phrases 

Transitions clarify the logic of your argument by orienting your reader as you develop ideas between sentences and paragraphs.  These tools should alert readers to shifts in your argument while and also maintain the smoothness and clarity of your prose.  Below, you’ll find some of the most commonly used transition categories and examples of each.

Depending on the example, these suggestions may be within sentences or at the beginning of sentences.  

1. Addition: use when presenting multiple ideas that flow in the same direction, under the same heading/ idea 

*also, another, finally, first, first of all, for one thing, furthermore, in addition, last of all, likewise, moreover, next, and, second, the third reason

2. Sequence/ Order: use to suggest a temporal relationship between ideas; places evidence in sequence

first, second (etc.), next, last, finally, first of all, concurrently, immediately, prior to, then, at that time, at this point, previously, subsequently, and then, at this time, thereafter, previously, soon, before, after, followed by, after that, next, before, after, meanwhile, formerly, finally, during

3. Contrast: use to demonstrate differences between ideas or change in argument direction

but, however, in contrast, on the other hand, on the contrary, yet, differ, difference, balanced against, differing from, variation, still, on the contrary, unlike, conversely, otherwise, on the other hand, however

4. Exception: use to introduce an opposing idea

however, whereas, on the other hand, while, instead, in spite of, yet, despite, still, nevertheless, even though, in contrast, but, but one could also say…

5. Comparison: use to demonstrate similarities between ideas that may not be under the same subject heading or within the same paragraph

like, likewise, just, in a different way / sense, whereas, like, equally, in like manner, by comparison, similar to, in the same way, alike, similarity, similarly, just as, as in a similar fashion, conversely

6. Illustration: use to develop or clarify an idea, to introduce examples, or to show that the second idea is subordinate to the first

for example, to illustrate, on this occasion, this can be seen, in this case, specifically, once, to illustrate, when/where, for instance, such as, to demonstrate, take the case of, in this case

7. Location: use to show spatial relations

next to, above, below, beneath, left, right, behind, in front, on top, within

8. Cause and Effect: use to show that one idea causes, or results from, the idea that follows or precedes it.

because, therefore, so that, cause, reason, effect, thus, consequently, since, as a result, if…then, result in

9. Emphasis: use to suggest that an idea is particularly important to your argument

important to note, most of all, a significant factor, a primary concern, a key feature, remember that, pay particular attention to, a central issue, the most substantial issue, the main value, a major event, the chief factor, a distinctive quality, especially valuable, the chief outcome, a vital force, especially relevant, most noteworthy, the principal item, above all, should be noted

10. Summary or Conclusion: use to signal that what follows is summarizing or concluding the previous ideas; in humanities papers, use these phrases sparingly.

to summarize, in short, in brief, in sum, in summary, to sum up, in conclusion, to conclude, finally

http://www.vanderbilt.edu/writing/resources/Common%20Transition%20Words%20and%20Phrases.pdf

Some material adapted from Cal Poly Pomona College Reading Skills Program: www.csupomona.edu/lrc/crsp/handouts/recognizing_words.html and  

“Power Tools for Technical Communication.” www.io.com/~hcexres/power_tools/transitions.html