Transition Words and Phrases

Transitions are used in formal and informal writing to demonstrate the relationship or hierarchy of ideas within a paper. Many times the paper will not make sense without transitions. The lists below are grouped based upon the relationships between two or more ideas.

Addition or Sequence

after
afterward
again
also
and then
and
as well as
at first
at the same time
at this point
at this time
before this
besides
concurrently
consequently
coupled with
earlier
equally important
finally
first of all
first
following this
further
furthermore
having said that
hence
in addition
in conclusion
in light of
in the first place
in the meantime
in time
in turn
last
lastly
later on
later
likewise
meanwhile
moreover
next
nor
now
previously
second
secondly
similarly
simultaneously
soon
still
subsequently
the next step
then
therefore
third
thirdly
thus
to begin with
too
what is more
while
with this in mind

Comparison

also
by comparison
compared to
conversely
however
in the same way
instead
likewise
on one hand
rather
similarly
still
this may be true
where
whereas

Consequence

accordingly
as a result
because
consequently
for this purpose
for this reason
hence
if
otherwise
since
so then
subsequently
then
therefore
thereupon
thus
to this end
wherefore

Contrast

and yet
but at the same time
but
by the same token
conversely
despite
even so
even though
for all that
however
in contrast
in spite of
nevertheless
notwithstanding
on the contrary
on the other hand
regardless
still
though
yet

Emphasis

above all
absolutely
after all
always
certainly
chiefly
emphatically
especially
eternally
even
extremely
forever
in any case
in fact
indeed
naturally
never
obviously
of course
particularly
perennially
positively
singularly
surprisingly
truly
undeniably
unquestionably
with attention to
without a doubt
without reservation

Exception

aside from
barring
besides
despite
except
excepting
excluding
exclusive of
however
in spite of
nevertheless
of course
once in a while
other than
outside of
save
sometimes
yet

Exemplification

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

Generalization

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

Illustration

as an example
as an illustration
for example
for instance
for one thing
illustrated with
in another case
in fact
in this case
in this situation
on this occasion
specifically
take the case of
to demonstrate
to illustrate

Location

above
adjacent to
ahead
behind
below
beyond
close
elsewhere
farther on
here
near
nearby
on the other side
opposite to
there
to the east (west, north, south, etc.)
to the left (right)

Passing of Time

after a while
afterward
as long as
as soon as
at last
at length
at that time
before
during this time
earlier
finally
formerly
immediately
in the meantime
in the past
lately
later
meanwhile
next
now
presently
shortly
simultaneously
since
so far
soon
subsequently
then
thereafter
until
when
while

Proof

because
besides
evidently
for the same reason
for
furthermore
in addition
in any case
in fact
indeed
moreover
obviously
since
that is

Restatement

as has been noted
as has been said
as was previously stated
given these points
in brief
in essence
in other words
in short
namely
that is to say
that is
to put it differently

Similarity

comparatively
coupled with
correspondingly
identically
in comparison
likewise
moreover
similarly
together with

Summarization

accordingly
after all
all in all
all things considered
altogether
as a result
briefly
by and large
consequently
given these points
hence
in any case
in any event
in brief
in conclusion
in other words
in short
in simpler terms
in summary
in the final analysis
in the long run
on the whole
therefore
thus
to conclude
to put it differently
to sum up
to summarize

Please be aware that some transitions are specific to certain situations or are stronger than others listed. Try out multiple options, and use the best fit. Also, although this is an extensive list of transitions, it is not a complete list; these are just some suggestions to help you tie your ideas together and help your reader follow your line of thinking. The greater variety of appropriate transitions you use, the more interesting your paper will be.