Transition Words for Essays: What to Use and When

Transitions are the signposts of an essay, and transition words for essays are the simplest ones to add. The University of North Carolina's Writing Center describes transitions as the words that "glue our ideas and our essays together": they tell readers how to read the sentence in front of them in light of the last one. Without them, a draft can feel choppy even when every sentence is sound.

Words, phrases and sentences

Most people mean single words and short phrases, such as moreover or on the other hand. These sentence transition words work inside a paragraph. Between paragraphs, a whole sentence can do the job, usually by referring to the previous idea and then announcing the new one.

Where to find the right one

The lists of transition words for essays below are organized by purpose, so you can find a word by what it does. If you would rather search, the free transition words finder sorts more than a hundred words by purpose and explains the punctuation for each.

The most useful way to learn words of transition is by job. Table 1 above names eight jobs for transition words for essays. The sections that follow give examples of each, and the table below adds a few more words you can swap in.

Addition Transition Words

Use these addition transition words to stack a related point on the last one: also, in addition, furthermore, moreover, additionally, besides. Furthermore and moreover carry more weight than also, so save them for points that really build on each other. If you find yourself adding a fourth point with another additionally, restructure the paragraph instead.

Words That Show Contrast

Use however, but, yet, on the other hand, in contrast, nevertheless to set up an opposing idea. However is the most common of the however transition words, and it is usually set off by commas. When it joins two full sentences, put a semicolon before it and a comma after it. A plain but is fine at the start of a sentence in most classes, though some teachers prefer you avoid it.

Words That Show Cause and Effect

Use therefore, thus, consequently, as a result, accordingly, because to link a reason to its result. Check that the first sentence actually causes the second; these words promise logic. Because and since introduce the reason, while therefore and as a result introduce the result.

Evidence transition words tell the reader that proof is coming and how to weigh it. Good choices include for example, for instance, specifically, in particular, to illustrate, according to and as [source] shows. Use for example when the support is one case among many, and specifically when it is the exact detail that proves the claim.

Introduce the quotation, then explain it

Never drop a quotation or statistic in with no lead-in; evidence transition words give it one. A signal phrase such as "According to the CDC," or "As the report points out," tells the reader who is speaking. After the evidence, add a link to your own point with this shows, this suggests or in other words. The UNC Writing Center also warns that similar transitions can carry different meanings, so match the lead-in to what the evidence actually does.

Quote with care

When the evidence is a direct quotation, see our guides to MLA in-text citation and how to cite a quote in APA for the citation that follows it.

Among transition words for essays, sequence words show order: first, second, third, next, then, after that, finally, meanwhile, afterward. Use them for steps, stages or a ranked list of reasons. In an argument, vary them, because "first, second, third" for every body paragraph can read like a template.

Emphasis words

Indeed, in fact, above all, clearly, certainly and most importantly stress a point. Strong transition words for essays like these only work if you use them rarely. If every sentence is "in fact," none of them is.

Time words for narrative

For stories, later, soon, at that moment, until then and shortly after keep events in order. Purdue OWL's transitions page calls a link like shortly after chronological. The Purdue OWL transition guide also warns against vague signposts such as "another important thing to note," which disconnect the next idea from the last one.

The second body paragraph has a particular job, and transition words for the second body paragraph carry it: it must connect back to the first paragraph's idea while introducing a new one. Useful openers include In addition to [first reason], …, Beyond [first reason], …, A second reason is… and Building on this point, …. For contrast with the first point, try Yet [first idea] is only part of the story.

The third body paragraph

The same transition words for the second body paragraph work for the third, with a new opener. Lead with Finally, …, Most important, … or Perhaps the strongest reason is… and echo a key term from the paragraph before. Reusing a term is often better than adding another stock word, as Purdue OWL's advice to link specific paragraphs suggests.

More help by position

Where transition words for essays sit in a paragraph or essay is its own topic. Our guide to transition words for paragraphs lists openers by position: the first body paragraph, the middle, counterarguments and the closing paragraph. Our compare and contrast outline guide shows the same connectors in a two-subject essay.

Ending transition words signal that the paper is wrapping up: overall, in short, in brief, to sum up, all in all, ultimately, in the end. Among ending transition words, many teachers dislike a flat "In conclusion," in a short essay because the reader can already see the last paragraph coming. Ultimately and overall tend to read as more natural ending transition words.

Transition words to end a paragraph

Ending a body paragraph is a separate job. Close with a sentence that states why the evidence matters, using so, as a result, this means that or for this reason. Then let the next paragraph's opener pick up the thread.

Make the conclusion do more than repeat

Ending transition words should lead into a sentence that adds something: the larger stakes, the next question or the limits of your claim. For a full treatment, read our guide on how to write a conclusion.

A literature review does not list sources one after another, so transition words for a literature review matter. It groups them by what they say, so its transitions mostly show agreement, disagreement and development. These transition words for a literature review work best when each one links two named studies.

Words that show agreement

Similarly, likewise, in the same vein, consistent with this, in line with and building on show that sources support each other. With these transition words for a literature review, follow with the second author's finding, not just a name.

Words that show disagreement

In contrast, by contrast, conversely, however, whereas and unlike show sources that differ. Say why they might differ, such as a different sample or method.

Words that synthesize

Taken together, collectively, overall, as a whole and these findings suggest pull several studies into one claim. The last illustration above shows a paragraph that uses all three groups. If you have a format question, the APA format guidelines cover the paper's layout.

Words in the same group are not always interchangeable, even among transition words for essays. Although, whereas and however all signal contrast, but they are not punctuated the same way: although and whereas start a clause inside a sentence, while however usually links two full sentences. A reliable rule is to decide whether you are joining a full sentence or a clause.

Punctuation patterns

At the start of a sentence, put a comma after the transition: However, the data differ. After a semicolon, put a comma after the transition: The data differ; however, the trend is clear. In the middle of a clause, set it off with commas: The trend, however, is clear. With a word such as because, no comma is needed when the reason comes second.

Match the tone

Academic essays that use transition words for essays favor furthermore, consequently and nevertheless. Informal writing can use also, so and but. The digital SAT's Reading and Writing section includes transition questions that test the same relationships, so learning the groups by purpose helps on the test too.

Try a tool when you are stuck

If you can't find a fit, the transition words finder lets you search by purpose, gives a punctuation rule for each word and adds an example sentence for many of them.

Most problems with transition words for essays come from overuse or from a word that promises a relationship the sentences don't have. Check your draft against this list.

A final read-through

Read the essay aloud and listen for places where you naturally pause. Those are the spots that need a link. Every guide in our student writing guides is built on the same idea: say what the reader needs, then say it clearly. For one last pass, the free transition words finder can suggest alternatives for any word you've used too often.