Transition words

Transition words (sometimes also called ‘conjunctive adverbs’) are used to link words, phrases or sentences. They help the reader to follow the ideas of an author. They create coherence between sentences within the text.

Commonly used transition words of the English language

Anyone using the English language, either a student or a professor, finds transition words essential to creating coherent pieces of content.

English transition words are essential, since they not only connect ideas, but also can introduce a certain shift, contrast or opposition, emphasis or agreement, purpose, result or conclusion, etc. in the line of argument.
Some transition words and phrases sometimes are best used with prepositions or postpositions. Discover the categories in which transition words are divided in, but keep in mind that there are cases when the same transition words belong in more than one category.

Usage of Transition Words

Transition words and phrases are used for writing essays, papers or other literary compositions. They improve the connections and transitions between sentences and paragraphs. They thus give the text a logical organization and structure.

Transition words and phrases connect either words, sentences or phrases together in a coherent manner, so that the reader makes sense easier about the author’s message.

Usage: transition words are used with a special rule for punctuation: a semicolon or a period is used after the first ‘sentence’, and a comma is almost always used to set off the transition word from the second ‘sentence’.

Example: The kitchen prepared 6 plates for the guests;however, they sold only 2 of them.

Transition words in SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

Optimization experts use transition words to make sure the content they post is easy to read, follow and understand by the web visitor.

When digital marketing experts recommend search engine optimization, they refer to the key words and expressions the search engine discovers.

These keywords are easier to notice, when the content of the article (or blog post) is written in a simple manner. Using transition words makes the text more readable and the users feel comfortable understanding your content.

A simple correct article will contain short sentences and small paragraphs. To make it easier for the reader to follow the ideas presented the text must contain a minimum amount of transition words.

Plugins such as Yoast analyze the text and make recommendations for the copywriters. The recommendations usually talk about the length of the sentences, the frequency of the transition words or the difficulty of the words used.

“The transition words check in Yoast SEO assesses whether or not you use enough transition words. If at least 30% of the sentences in your text contain a transition word, the bullet will be green. If more than 20% of your sentences and less than 30% of your sentences contain a transition word, your bullet will be orange. The bullet will be red if less than 20% of the sentences of your text contain a transition word. That’s less than 1 in 5 sentences.”(as per Yoast SEO guidelines).

Transition words of Agreement / Addition / Similarity

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

in the first place

not only … but also

as a matter of fact

in like manner

in addition

coupled with

in the same fashion / way

also

then

equally

identically

uniquely

like

as

again

to

and

too

moreover

as well as

together with

of course

first, second, third

in the light of

not to mention

to say nothing of

equally important

by the same token

likewise

comparatively

correspondingly

similarly

furthermore

additionally

Transition words of Opposition / Limitation / Contradiction

Transition phrases like but, rather and  or, express that there is evidence to the contrary or point out alternatives, and thus introduce a change the line of reasoning (contrast).

although this may be true

in contrast

different from

of course …, but

on the other hand

on the contrary

at the same time

in spite of

even so / though

be that as it may

then again

above all

in reality

after all

but

(and) still

unlike

or

(and) yet

while

albeit

besides

as much as

even though

although

instead

whereas

despite

conversely

otherwise

however

rather

nevertheless

nonetheless

regardless

notwithstanding

Transition words of Cause / Condition / Purpose

These transitional phrases present specific conditions or intentions.

in the event that

granted (that)

as / so long as

on (the) condition (that)

for the purpose of

with this intention

with this in mind

in the hope that

to the end that

for fear that

in order to

seeing / being that

in view of

If

… then

unless

when

whenever

while

because of

as

since

while

lest

in case

provided that

given that

only / even if

so that

so as to

owing to

inasmuch as

due to

Transition words of Examples / Support / Emphasis

These transitional devices (like especially) are used to introduce examples as support, to indicate importance or as an illustration so that an idea is cued to the reader.

in other words

to put it differently

for one thing

as an illustration

in this case

for this reason

to put it another way

that is to say

with attention to

by all means

important to realize

another key point

first thing to remember

most compelling evidence

must be remembered

point often overlooked

to point out

on the positive side

on the negative side

with this in mind

notably

including

like

to be sure

namely

chiefly

truly

indeed

certainly

surely

markedly

such as

especially

explicitly

specifically

expressly

surprisingly

frequently

significantly

particularly

in fact

in general

in particular

in detail

for example

for instance

to demonstrate

to emphasize

to repeat

to clarify

to explain

to enumerate

Transition words of Effect / Consequence / Result

Some of these transition words (thus, then, accordingly, consequently, therefore, henceforth) are time words that are used to show that after a particular time there was a consequence or an effect.

Note that for and because are placed before the cause/reason. The other devices are placed before the consequences or effects.

as a result

under those circumstances

in that case

for this reason

in effect

for

thus

because the

then

hence

consequently

therefore

thereupon

forthwith

accordingly

henceforth

Transition words of Conclusion / Summary / Restatement

These transition words and phrases conclude, summarize and / or restateideas, or indicate a final general statement. Also some words (like therefore) from the Effect / Consequence category can be used to summarize.

as can be seen

generally speaking

in the final analysis

all things considered

as shown above

in the long run

given these points

as has been noted

in a word

for the most part

after all

in fact

in summary

in conclusion

in short

in brief

in essence

to summarize

on balance

altogether

overall

ordinarily

usually

by and large

to sum up

on the whole

in any event

in either case

all in all

Obviously

Ultimately

Definitely

Transition words of Time / Chronology / Sequence

These transitional words (like finally) have the function of limiting, restricting, and defining time. They can be used either alone or as part of adverbial expressions.

at the present time

from time to time

sooner or later

at the same time

up to the present time

to begin with

in due time

as soon as

as long as

in the meantime

in a moment

without delay

in the first place

all of a sudden

at this instant

first, second

immediately

quickly

finally

after

later

last

until

till

since

then

before

hence

since

when

once

about

next

now

formerly

suddenly

shortly

henceforth

whenever

eventually

meanwhile

further

during

in time

prior to

forthwith

straightaway

by the time

whenever

until now

now that

instantly

presently

occasionally

Many transition words in the time category (consequently; first, second, third; further; hence; henceforth; since; then, when; and whenever) have other uses.

Except for the numbers (first, second, third) and further they add a meaning of time in expressing conditions, qualifications, or reasons. The numbers are also used to add information or list examples. Further is also used to indicate added space as well as added time.

Transition words of Space / Location / Place 

These transition words are often used as part of adverbial expressions and have the function to restrict, limit or qualify space. Quite a few of these are also found in the Time category and can be used to describe spatial order or spatial reference.

in the middle

to the left/right

in front of

on this side

in the distance

here and there

in the foreground

in the background

in the center of

adjacent to

opposite to

here

there

next

where

from

over

near

above

below

down

up

under

further

beyond

nearby

wherever

around

between

before

alongside

amid

among

beneath

beside

behind

across

SEO Company – Growwwise

Our services are oriented towards brand creation and growth. We can create an audit of your website’s / blog’s content and discuss with you a strategy for improvement. The professionals in our team know how to bled important messages in a easy to read text. We know how to use transition words and optimize any type of online platform: Facebook account, LinkedIn account, Blog, e-commerce  store, personal brand site or presentation website. Feel free to contact our agency for a discussion about our agency’s Deals.

We are available on social media channels and by email: [email protected]

Facebook

LinkedIn

Pinterest

Instagram