Transition Words and Phrases

Stepping Up Your Style with Transitions

You can improve your style by using DEPENDENT CLAUSES and PHRASES (like prepositional phrases) to combine  ideas and make your writing flow.

What is a dependent or subordinate clause?

A dependent clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone.  It is dependent on another group of words (an independent clause) in order to express a complete thought and make sense.

The following words are often indicators of dependent clauses:
whenever
where
wherever
while
which
who/whose
whom
so
so that
than
that
though
unless
until
when
as though
because
before
how
if
in order that
since
after
although
as
as if
as long as
as much as
as soon as

Some of these words can also introduce phrases, however, so always make sure the group of words contains a subject and its verb before calling it a clause!

How do I use subordinate clauses as transitions?

Example: The Beatles were one of the most influential music groups of all time.  Although they began in England, their pop melodies and mop tops soon spread “Beatlemania” throughout the world.

NOTE: The underlined clause above is DEPENDENT. Although it includes a subject and its verb (they + began), it also includes the word “although,” which makes it dependent on the second part of the sentence (independent clause) in order to make sense.


How do I use phrases as transitions?


Example: After selecting a topic, the writer must compose a powerful topic sentence to introduce this one idea.


NOTE: The underlined section above is a PHRASE.  Although it looks like a clause, notice that it does not have a subject (only the verb “selecting”).  However, it makes a smooth transition nevertheless!

Transitions

“Trans” means “reach across or over.” A transition in writing “reaches across” to connect one idea to another. A transition can be a word, a phrase, or even a sentence.

Transitions to Add Information

additionally besides

also  equally important

another finally

as well  for example

together with furthermore

again in addition

for instance             likewise 

moreover                             next

Transition Combinations

• A good…A better…The best

• Initially…Then…After that
• To begin…Then…Consequently
• As soon as…Next…Later…In the end

• At the beginning…Then…Following this…Finally

• One way…Another way…A final method

• First of all…Besides…In addition
• To start…Furthermore…Additionally

…Last

• In the first place…After that…Later on…At last

• One important…Another important…The most important

Transitions to Compare

accordingly

as

also

comparable to

in the same way

just as 

likewise 

similarly

sometimes

Transitions to Clarify

for example in other words that is specifically

for instance put another way stated differently to illustrate the point

Transitions to Contrast

although sometimes yet even so even though however

in spite of this in the meantime nevertheless on the other hand otherwise still

Transitions to Conclude or Summarize

as a result  

in summary 

due to  

in conclusion 

therefore

to conclude 

consequently

finally

Transitions to Emphasize a Point

again	another key point	indeed	with this in mind
in fact	surprisingly enough	frequently	for this reason