Transition Words

A transition or linking word is a word or phrase that shows the relationship between paragraphs or sections of a text or speech. Transitions provide greater cohesion by making it more explicit or signaling how ideas relate to one another. Transitions are, in fact, "bridges" that "carry a reader from section to section". Transitions guide a reader/listener through steps of logic, increments of time, or through physical space. Transitions "connect words and ideas so that ..readers don't have to do the mental work for hemselves"

Transitions reveal the internal structure of an author's reasoning. While they are used primarily for rhetoric, they are also used in a strictly grammatical sense for structural composition, reasoning, and comprehension. Indeed, they are
an essential part of any language.

In simple terms, a transition word demonstrates the relationship between two portions of a text or spoken language. By using these words, people can better build a sentence and convey what they are trying to say in a more concise manner.

Categories

Transition words and phrases categories include: Conclusion, Continuation, Contrast, Emphasis, Evidence, Illustration and Sequence.
Each category serves its own function, as do the keywords inside of a given category.

Coordinating transitions

Elements in a coordinate relationship are equal in rank, quality, or significance. They help to show a link between equal elements.
*''To show similarity or reinforce:'' also, and, as well as, by the same token, comparatively, correspondingly, coupled with, equally, equally important, furthermore, identically, in the light of, in the same fashion/way, likewise, moreover, not only... but also, not to mention, similarly, to say nothing of, together with, too, uniquely
*''To introduce an opposing point:'' besides, but, however, in contrast, neither, nevertheless, nor, on the contrary, on the other hand, still, yet
*''To signal a restatement:'' in other words, in simpler terms, indeed, that is, to put it differently

Subordinating transitions

*''To introduce an item in a series:'' finally, first, for another, for one thing, in addition, in the first place, in the second place, last, next, second, then
*''To introduce an example:'' for example, for instance, in particular, namely, specifically, that is
*''To show causality:'' accordingly, as a result, because, consequently, for, hence, since, so, then, therefore, thus
*''To introduce a summary or conclusion:'' actually, all in all, altogether, clearly, evidently, finally, in conclusion, of course, to sum up
*''To signal a concession:'' certainly, granted, it is true, naturally, of course, to be sure
*''To resume main argument after a concession:'' all the same, even though, nevertheless, nonetheless, still

Temporal transitions

*''To show frequency:'' again and again, day after day, every so often, frequently, hourly, now and then, occasionally, often
*''To show duration:'' briefly, during, for a long time, minute by minute, while
*''To show a particular time:'' at six o'clock, at that time, first thing in the morning, in 1999, in the beginning of August, in those days, last Sunday, next Christmas, now, then, two months ago, when
*''To introduce a beginning:'' at first, before then, in the beginning, since
*''To introduce a middle:'' as it was happening, at that moment, at the same time, in the meantime, meanwhile, next, simultaneously, then
*''To signal an end (or beyond):'' afterward/afterwards, at last, eventually, finally, in the end, later

Spatial transitions

*''To show closeness:'' adjacent to, alongside, close to, facing, near, next to, side by side
*''To show long distance:'' away, beyond, far, in the distance, there
*''To show direction:'' above, across, along, away from, behind, below, down, in front of, inside, outside, sideways, to the left, to the right, toward/towards, up

Transition words of agreement, addition, or similarity

The transition words, such as ''also'', ''in addition'', and ''likewise'', add information, reinforce ideas, and express agreement with preceding material.

* additionally
* again
* also
* and
* as
* as a matter of fact
* as well as
* by the same token
* comparatively
* correspondingly
* coupled with
* equally
* equally important
* first
* furthermore
* identically
* in addition
* in like manner
* in the first place
* in the light of
* in the same fashion/way
* like
* likewise
* moreover
* not only ... but also
* not to mention
* of course
* second
* similarly
* then
* third
* to
* to say nothing of
* together with
* too
* uniquely
* what's more

See also

* Conjunction
*Level of measurement
*Concept map

Notes

References

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Parts of speech
Plain English
Writing
Rhetoric