|
|
|
|
Transitional Words and Phrases |
|
Sentences may be connected coherently by the use of transitions. The purpose of such words and phrases is to show just how the ideas of sentences are related to each other. They form a bridge between these ideas. Here is a list of important transitional words and phrases:
TO ADD ANOTHER THOUGHT OR TO EMPHASIZE A THOUGHT:
|
- Besides, also, what’s more, furthermore, in addition, again, and, and then, equally important, further, too
|
TO ARRANGE IDEAS IN ORDER OF TIME, SPACE LOGIC OR IMPORTANCE:
|
- First, last, lastly, second, third, next, then, finally, meanwhile, later, afterwards, eventually, at length, immediately, in the meantime, soon, at last, after a short time, while, thereupon, thereafter, temporarily, until, presently, shortly, lately, of late, since, nearly, above, below, in front, beyond, to the right, to the left
|
TO CONNECT CONTRASTING OR OPPOSITE IDEAS:
|
- Still, however, on the one hand….on the other hand, yet, nevertheless, rather, on the contrary, and yet, after all, at the same time, although true, but, for all that, in contrast, in spite of, notwithstanding
|
TO CONNECT AN IDEA THAT POINTS UP, EXTENDS, OR CLARIFIES ANOTHER IDEA:
|
- In fact, as a matter of fact, indeed, moreover, incidentally, that is, in particular
|
TO ADD AN ILLUSTRATION OR EXPLANATION TO AN IDEA:
|
- For example, for instance, in other words, specifically
|
TO INDICATE CONCESSION:
|
- At the same time, after all, naturally, I admit, although this may be true
|
TO SHOW THAT ONE IDEA IS AN EXCEPTION TO OR LIMITATION OF ANOTHER IDEA:
|
- Of course, though, to be sure
|
TO SHOW THAT ONE IDEA IS A CONSEQUENCE, OR RESULT, OF ANOTHER:
|
- So, therefore, consequently, accordingly, hence, thus, truly, as a result, in short
|
TO SHOW ONE IDEA AS A SUMMARY OF ANOTHER:
|
- In short, in brief, to sum up, on the whole, so summarize, in conclusion, to conclude
|
TO SHOW A SIMILARITY BETWEEN IDEAS:
|
- In the same way, similarly, likewise, in like manner
|
EXAMPLE PARAGRAPH: Transitional words and phrases are bold typed in the following paragraph:
As I have remarked, the pilots’ association was now the most compact monopoly in the world, perhaps, and seemed simply indestructible. And yet, the days of its glory were numbered. First, the new railroad, stretching up through Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky to the Northern railway-centers, began to divert passenger travel from the steamboats; next, the war came and almost entirely annihilated the steamboat industry during several years, leaving most of the pilots idle and the cost of living advancing all the time; then the treasurer of the St. Louis Association put his hand into the till and walked off with every dollar of the ample fund; and finally, the railroads intruding everywhere, left little for steamers to do but carry freights. So straightway some genius from the Atlantic Coast introduced a plan to tow a dozen steamer cargoes down to the Association and the noble science of piloting was a thing of the dead and pathetic past! |
|
|
|
|