Transitional Words and Phrases

Which transitional words and phrases do I need?

Words and short phrases link ideas within a paragraph, and the Transition Words Finder sorts them by purpose, and Transition Words for Paragraphs sorts them by where they go in an essay. Between paragraphs, where you close one idea and open the next, a full transition sentence usually works better.

• Adding a point: furthermore, in addition, similarly, moreover.
• Contrasting: however, on the other hand, in contrast, nevertheless.
• Showing cause and effect: therefore, as a result, consequently.
• Giving an example: for instance, for example, in particular.
• Concluding: in conclusion, overall, ultimately, taken together.

Common transition mistakes

A transition can't join ideas that don't connect. If two paragraphs won't link, check whether they belong in that order, or whether the second needs a clearer topic sentence.

Vary them, and use them only where the relationship isn't already obvious. Three “furthermore”s on one page reads as filler, and “however” at the start of every paragraph blurs real contrasts.

Match the word to the logic. “Therefore” claims the previous point proves this one, so use it only when it does.

Transition words by purpose

Choose a transition by the relationship between the two ideas, not by how formal it sounds. Each group below signals a different kind of link:

• Adding a similar point: also, furthermore, in addition, similarly, likewise.
• Showing contrast: however, in contrast, on the other hand, whereas, yet.
• Conceding a point: admittedly, although, granted, even so.
• Cause and effect: because, therefore, as a result, consequently, so.
• Order and time: first, next, then, meanwhile, finally.
• Examples and emphasis: for instance, for example, in particular, notably.
• Summing up: overall, in short, ultimately, taken together.

Transitions within a paragraph and between paragraphs

Inside a paragraph, a single word or short phrase is usually enough, because the sentences are already about the same point: "The sample was small; however, the results were consistent."

Between paragraphs, the reader needs to know how the new point relates to the last one, so the transition is usually a whole clause at the start of the new topic sentence: "Although later start times improve attendance, their effect on grades is less clear." This sentence closes the previous point and opens the next one in a single move.

A good test is to read the first sentence of every paragraph in order. If those sentences alone tell the story of your argument, your transitions are working.

Punctuating transitions correctly

• At the start of a sentence: follow the transition with a comma. "As a result, enrolment fell."
• Joining two complete sentences: use a semicolon before it and a comma after it. "Enrolment fell; however, attendance rose." A comma alone here is a comma splice.
• In the middle of a clause: put commas on both sides. "The second study, however, found no effect."
• Conjunctions such as "but" and "so": use a comma before them when they join two complete sentences, and no comma after.

Transitions in different kinds of writing

Argumentative essays rely on contrast and concession (however, admittedly, even so) because they answer counterarguments. Lab reports and scientific papers use fewer, plainer transitions, mostly for sequence and cause (then, therefore, as a result), and let the structure of the report do the rest. Narrative and reflective writing leans on time transitions (later, by the end of the week).

In every kind of writing, the strongest transitions often repeat a key word or idea from the previous sentence rather than adding a linking word at all. If you are rewriting a paragraph that doesn't flow, the paragraph rewriter can suggest smoother versions to compare with your own.

Example: one paragraph, before and after

Before: "Later school start times give teenagers more sleep. Students are more alert in class. Some parents find the change difficult. Bus schedules need to change. Most districts that tried it kept it."

After: "Later school start times give teenagers more sleep, and as a result, students are more alert in class. The change is not without costs: some parents find the new schedule difficult, and bus routes have to be redrawn. Even so, most districts that tried it chose to keep it."

The facts are the same; the transitions show how they relate. "As a result" marks cause and effect, "not without costs" introduces a concession, and "even so" returns to the main point after the concession.

Using transitions in longer papers

In a dissertation or long research paper, transitions work at three levels. Between sentences, transition words keep the logic clear. Between paragraphs, topic sentences connect each point to the last. Between sections and chapters, a short signposting paragraph tells the reader what the previous section showed and what the next one will do.

Signposting should be brief and specific: "Having shown that attendance improves, this section examines whether grades do too" tells the reader more than "This section will now discuss grades." Keep signposts to the start and end of major sections; within a section, let the paragraphs connect through their topic sentences.

Transitions for students writing in English as an additional language

Transition words often don't translate one-to-one, and some common ones are easily confused. "On the other hand" introduces a contrasting view, usually after "on the one hand" or a clear first point; it doesn't mean "in addition". "Moreover" and "furthermore" add a stronger point, not a contrast. "Actually" in English signals a correction, not "currently". When in doubt, a simple transition used correctly reads better than a formal one used in the wrong place.

Checking the flow of a whole essay

Flow problems are easier to see on paper than on screen. Print your draft, or read it aloud, and mark every place where you pause because the next sentence seems to come from nowhere. At each mark, ask what the relationship is: does the new sentence add, contrast, explain or give an example? Then choose a transition that names that relationship, or rewrite the sentence so it picks up a word from the one before. Finally, read only the first sentence of each paragraph in order: if they tell the story of your argument, the essay flows.

One last check

Before you submit, read the first and last sentence of every paragraph aloud. Each pair should connect what one paragraph proved to what the next one sets out to show, without any sudden jumps.

Keep it simple

When two transitions would both work, choose the plainer one: "but" and "so" are often clearer than "nevertheless" and "consequently".