Transitional Words

Transitional Words & Phrases
• Transitional words and phrases help papers and speeches flow more smoothly.
• Transitions enhance logical organization and understandability
• This list illustrates categories of "relationships" between ideas

Addition:
also, again, as well as, besides, coupled with, furthermore, in addition, likewise, moreover, similarly

Consequence:
accordingly, as a result, consequently, for this reason, for this purpose, hence, otherwise, so then, subsequently, therefore, thus, thereupon, wherefore

Contrast and Comparison:
contrast, by the same token, conversely, instead, likewise, on one hand, on the other hand, on the contrary, rather, similarly, yet, but, however, still, nevertheless, in contrast

Direction:
here, there, over there, beyond, nearly, opposite, under, above, to the left, to the right, in the distance

Diversion:
by the way, incidentally

Emphasis
above all, chiefly, with attention to, especially, particularly, singularly

Exception:
aside from, barring, beside, except, excepting, excluding, exclusive of, other than, outside of, save

Exemplifying:
chiefly, especially, for instance, in particular, markedly, namely, particularly, including, specifically, such as

Generalizing:
as a rule, as usual, for the most part, generally, generally speaking, ordinarily, usually

Illustration:
for example, for instance, for one thing, as an illustration, illustrated with, as an example, in this case

Similarity:
comparatively, coupled with, correspondingly, identically, likewise, similar, moreover, together with

Restatement:
in essence, in other words, namely, that is, that is to say, in short, in brief, to put it differently

Sequence:
at first, first of all, to begin with, in the first place, at the same time, for now, for the time being, the next step, in time, in turn, later on, meanwhile, next, then, soon, the meantime, later, while, earlier, simultaneously, afterward, in conclusion, with this in mind,

Summarizing:
after all, all in all, all things considered, briefly, by and large, in any case, in any event, in brief, in conclusion, on the whole, in short, in summary, in the final analysis, in the long run,
on balance, to sum up, to summarize, finally