Write a sentence with word transition

Transition sentences are an essential part of writing. They help the reader know what information is coming next and show how it relates to the previous sentence.

The best transitions will be clear, brief, and easy for the reader to understand. There are many different kinds of transition words and phrases writers use depending on the context.

Defining Transitional Words and Phrases

Transitional words and phrases are words and phrases that carry meaning from one sentence to the next. They can help express time, writing technique, or logic.

Writers use these words to make their sentences cohesive and help the reader quickly grasp the sentence’s meaning.

Some common transitional words are:

• However
• Furthermore
• Nevertheless
• Despite
• Consequently

Transition phrases are also common. They can connect ideas or clauses within a sentence. Some common transitional phrases are:

• As a result
• In spite of
• On the other hand

Types of Transition Words and Phrases

Time Transitions

Time transitions help the reader know whether a sentence is about the past, present, or future.

Here are some examples of common time transitions:

• After
• Before
• Ever since
• Immediately
• Finally
• Just recently
• Meanwhile
• Momentarily
• Now
• Soon after
• Until then
• Up until now
• While

Writers should also consider using time transitions to show cause and effect.

Sentence example:

She got up, grabbed her phone, and left the room.

She got up and grabbed her phone. Afterward, she left the room.

The second sentence has a more coherent flow, as the cause and effect are clear.

Logical Transitions

Logical transitions show how one sentence relates logically to the next.

Here are some examples of logical transitions:

• As a result
• Due to
• Therefore
• Since
• In contrast to
• Despite
• In other words
• Conversely
• As such
• Consequently
• Hence

Sentence examples:

Walking to the park takes longer than driving. Therefore, people are less likely to walk.

In this sentence, ‘therefore’ is a logical transition because it shows the link between one action and its effect.

Logical transitions can show a cause-and-effect relationship as well.

Sentence example:

The computer crashed since someone left it on overnight.

The computer crashed as a result of being on for a long period.

The second sentence is more cohesive and will make more sense to the reader.

Driving to the park takes less time. As such, people are more likely to drive.

Here, ‘as such’ is a logical transition because it shows what will come next. This sentence continues the same logic as the first sentence.

Cause and effect transitions

These transition words help show how two or more sentences are related. Typically, it is used to show the cause or effect of something. These include:

• Therefore
• So
• Since
• As a result
• Due to
• Hence

Sentence example:

A higher price leads to fewer sales. As a result, the store is going out of business.

In this case, “A higher price” is the cause, and “fewer sales” is the effect.

Another example:

John was very busy at work, and he didn’t have time for a party.

As a result, no one invited him to anything.

In this case, “John was very busy at work” is the cause, and “no one invited him to anything” is the effect.

Transition phrases can also be clarifying.

Sentence example:

After the meeting was over, Susan left the office.

Susan left the office after the meeting was over.

The second sentence is more coherent and flows better than the first sentence.

Clarifying transitions

These transitions bring clarifications to the sentence. By using clarifying transition words and phrases, the writer makes sure that the information is clear and cohesive. Some clarifying transitions are:

• In other words
• In brief
• In essence

Sentence examples:

The story of Cinderella is a new take on an old tale.

In other words, the writer rewrote an old story with a new plot and characters.

The second sentence is more coherent.

She got up and left the room.

Afterward, she grabbed her phone and left.

The first sentence doesn’t tell when she left the room, so it can sound confusing.

The clarifying transition in the second sentence makes sure that the reader knows when she left the room.

Formality Transitions

When writing formally, writers need to use formal words to create clear sentences. Some examples of formal transitional words and phrases are:

• At any rate
• In a sense
• In effect
• In other words
• In particular
• Instead
• Meanwhile
• To illustrate

Sentence example:

In effect, the rain stopped us from going outside.

It rained, and it stopped us from going outside.

The first sentence is more formal than the second sentence.

Compare and contrast transitions

These transitional words and phrases show how two or more things are alike or different. Compare, and contrast transitions include:

• In comparison with
• On the other hand
• Alternatively
• Despite this
• Conversely
• In contrast to

A comparison example:

John is a fast runner. However, he can’t run a marathon.

In this case, “fast runner” and “can’t run a marathon” are compared.

An example of contrasting words:

John is a fast runner, but Bill is a slow runner.

In this case, “John is a fast runner” and “Bill is a slow runner” are contrasted. This example shows that John is fast while Bill is slow.

Sequence transitions

Sequence transitions show how two or more things are related in terms of time, logic, cause/effect, etc. Some sequence words and phrases are:

• First
• Later on
• Meanwhile
• Afterward
• Finally
• Prior to this/that/etc

Sentence example:

First, John applied for a job at a cafe.

Then, he got an interview.

In this case, “First” is the transitional phrase, showing the sequence of events.

Addition transitions

Addition transitions add more information to the sentence. They can be used before or after a sentence. Examples of such transitions are furthermore and moreover.

Sentence example:

It was a very cold day. Moreover, it started to snow.

In this case, “Moreover” is the transitional word, adding more information to the cold day.

Concluding transitions

Concluding transitions signal the end of a sentence. These transitional phrases and words show that the writer’s idea has been fully expressed. Concluding transitions include:

• To conclude
• At the end of the day
• Finally
• In short
• To summarize
• All in all

Sentence example:

Having said that, it is worth noting that not everyone thinks the same way.

In this case, “Having said that” is the transitional phrase, and it signals that the writer’s idea has been fully expressed.

Grouping transitions

These transitions group similar ideas. Some grouping examples are:

• On one hand
• On the other hand
• Or else/or otherwise
• In other words

Sentence example:

John likes to play tennis, but he also enjoys skiing.

In this case, playing tennis and enjoying skiing are similar ideas. The grouping transition “but also” groups them together.

Delaying transitions

A delaying transition delays the main idea in a sentence. These transitions are often used to create suspense and interest right before stating the main idea.

Sentence example:

Although he lost three games, he won the first set.

In this case, the writer wants to start with “He lost three games” but instead delays it until later in the sentence.

Writing Technique Transitions

These transitional phrases and words help writers to focus on specific points. They can be used whenever a writer wants to increase the importance of a sentence. Some examples of such transitions are:

• First and foremost
• In addition
• At the same time
• Likewise

Sentence example:

First and foremost, it is important to note that the company was established in 2007.

In this case, “First and foremost” is the transitional phrase, increasing the importance of the sentence.

Transitional Sentences

Transitional sentences are a great way to show how sentences relate to one another. A transitional sentence will help a writer with their flow and allow the reader to comprehend what they are reading more easily.

Here is an example:

Her phone rang, so she picked it up.

She put down her book and answered the phone. As a result, she found out that her date was going to be a half-hour late.

In the first sentence, the phone rings, and she answers it. The second sentence explains how she found out her date was going to be late.

Published on
20 October 2022
by

Jack Caulfield.

Revised on
15 March 2023.

Transition words and phrases (also called linking words, connecting words, or transitional words) are used to link together different ideas in your text. They help the reader to follow your arguments by expressing the relationships between different sentences or parts of a sentence.

The proposed solution to the problem did not work. Therefore, we attempted a second solution. However, this solution was also unsuccessful.

For clear writing, it’s essential to understand the meaning of transition words and use them correctly.

When and how to use transition words

Transition words commonly appear at the start of a new sentence or clause (followed by a comma), serving to express how this clause relates to the previous one.

There is a lack of reliable data to establish a clear correlation between these variables. Nevertheless, it has been argued that a relationship does exist.

Transition words can also appear in the middle of a clause. It’s important to place them correctly to convey the meaning you intend.

It has nevertheless been argued that a relationship does exist.

Example text with and without transition words

The text below describes all the events it needs to, but it does not use any transition words to connect them. Because of this, it’s not clear exactly how these different events are related or what point the author is making by telling us about them.

Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. France and the United Kingdom declared war on Germany. The Soviet Union worked with Germany. They partitioned Poland. In 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union.

If we add some transition words at appropriate moments, the text reads more smoothly and the relationship among the events described becomes clearer.

Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. Consequently, France and the United Kingdom declared war on Germany. The Soviet Union initially worked with Germany in order to partition Poland. However, Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941.

Don’t overuse transition words

While transition words are essential to clear writing, it’s possible to use too many of them. Consider the following example, in which the overuse of linking words slows down the text and makes it feel repetitive.

The first experiment yielded a positive result. However, the second experiment yielded a negative result. Nonetheless, the third experiment yielded a positive result, whereas the fourth experiment yielded another negative result.

In this case the best way to fix the problem is to simplify the text so that fewer linking words are needed.

The first and third experiments yielded positive results, while the outcomes of the second and fourth experiments were negative.

The key to using transition words effectively is striking the right balance. It is difficult to follow the logic of a text with no transition words, but a text where every sentence begins with a transition word can feel over-explained.

Types and examples of transition words

There are four main types of transition word: additive, adversative, causal, and sequential.
Within each category, words are divided into several more specific functions.

Remember that transition words with similar meanings are not necessarily interchangeable. It’s important to understand the meaning of all the transition words you use. If unsure, consult a dictionary to find the precise definition.

Additive transition words

Additive transition words introduce new information or examples. They can be used to expand upon, compare with, or clarify the preceding text.

Function	Example sentence	Transition words and phrases
Addition	We found that the mixture was effective. Moreover, it appeared to have additional effects we had not predicted.	indeed, furthermore, moreover, additionally, and, also, both x and y, not only x but also y, besides x, in fact
Introduction	Several researchers have previously explored this topic. For instance, Smith (2014) examined the effects of …	such as, like, particularly, including, as an illustration, for example, for instance, in particular, to illustrate, especially, notably
Reference	The solution showed a high degree of absorption. Considering this result, it is reasonable to conclude that …	considering x, regarding x, in regard to x, as for x, concerning x, the fact that x, on the subject of x
Similarity	It was not possible to establish a correlation between these variables. Similarly, the connection between x and y remains unclear …	similarly, in the same way, by the same token, in like manner, equally, likewise
Clarification	The patient suffered several side effects, namely increased appetite, decreased libido, and disordered sleep.	that is (to say), namely, specifically, more precisely, in other words

Adversative transition words

Adversative transition words always signal a contrast of some kind. They can be used to introduce information that disagrees or contrasts with the preceding text.

Function	Example sentence	Transition words and phrases
Conflict	The novel does deal with the theme of family. However, its central theme is more broadly political …	but, however, although, though, equally, by way of contrast, while, on the other hand, (and) yet, whereas, in contrast, (when) in fact, conversely, whereas
Concession	Jones (2011) argues that the novel reflects Russian politics of the time. Although this is correct, other aspects of the text must also be considered.	even so, nonetheless, nevertheless, even though, on the other hand, admittedly, despite x, notwithstanding x, (and) still, although, in spite of x, regardless (of x), (and) yet, though, granted x
Dismissal	It remains unclear which of these hypotheses is correct. In any case, it can be inferred that …	regardless, either way, whatever the case, in any/either event, in any/either case, at any rate, all the same
Emphasis	The chemical is generally thought to have corrosive properties. Indeed, several studies have supported this hypothesis.	above all, indeed, more/most importantly
Replacement	The character of Godfrey is often viewed as selfish, or at least self-absorbed.	(or) at least, (or) rather, instead, or (perhaps) even, if not

Causal transition words

Causal transition words are used to describe cause and effect. They can be used to express purpose, consequence, and condition.

Function	Example sentence	Transition words and phrases
Consequence	Because Hitler failed to respond to the British ultimatum, France and the UK declared war on Germany.	therefore, because (of x), as a result (of x), for this reason, in view of x, as, owing to x, due to (the fact that), since, consequently, in consequence, as a consequence, hence, thus, so (that), accordingly, so much (so) that, under the/such circumstances, if so
Condition	We qualified survey responses as positive only if the participant selected “agree” or “strongly agree.” Otherwise, results were recorded as negative.	(even/only) if/when, on (the) condition that, in the case that, granted (that), provided/providing that, in case, in the event that, as/so long as, unless, given that, being that, inasmuch/insofar as, in that case, in (all) other cases, if so/not, otherwise
Purpose	We used accurate recording equipment so that our results would be as precise as possible.	to, in order to/that, for the purpose of, in the hope that, so that, to the end that, lest, with this in mind, so as to, so that, to ensure (that)

Sequential transition words

Sequential transition words indicate a sequence, whether it’s the order in which events occurred chronologically or the order you’re presenting them in your text. They can be used for signposting in academic texts.

Function	Example sentence	Transition words and phrases
Enumeration	This has historically had several consequences: First, the conflict is not given the weight of other conflicts in historical narratives. Second, its causes are inadequately understood. Third, …	first, second, third…
Initiation	To begin with, I want to consider the role played by women in this period.	in the first place, initially, first of all, to begin with, at first
Continuation	Subsequently, I discuss the way in which the country’s various ethnic minorities were affected by the conflict.	subsequently, previously, eventually, next, before x, afterwards, after x, then
Conclusion	Finally, I consider these two themes in combination.	to conclude (with), as a final point, eventually, at last, last but not least, finally, lastly
Resumption	To return to my main argument, it is clear that …	to return/returning to x, to resume, at any rate
Summation	Patel (2015) comes to a similar conclusion. In summary, the four studies considered here suggest a consensus that the solution is effective.	as previously stated/mentioned, in summary, as I have argued, overall, as has been mentioned, to summarise, briefly, given these points, in view of x, as has been noted, in conclusion, in sum, altogether, in short

These lists of transitions are adapted from those created by Prof. Campbell, Prof. Buckhoff, and Prof. Dowell at Michigan State University under a Creative Commons license.

Common mistakes with transition words

Transition words are often used incorrectly. Make sure you understand the proper usage of transition words and phrases, and remember that words with similar meanings don’t necessarily work the same way grammatically.

Misused transition words can make your writing unclear or illogical. Your audience will be easily lost if you misrepresent the connections between your sentences and ideas.

Confused use of therefore

“Therefore” and similar cause-and-effect words are used to state that something is the result of, or follows logically from, the previous. Make sure not to use these words in a way that implies illogical connections.

• We asked participants to rate their satisfaction with their work from 1 to 10. Therefore, the average satisfaction among participants was 7.5.

The use of “therefore” in this example is illogical: it suggests that the result of 7.5 follows logically from the question being asked, when in fact many other results were possible. To fix this, we simply remove the word “therefore.”

• We asked participants to rate their satisfaction with their work from 1 to 10. The average satisfaction among participants was 7.5.

Starting a sentence with also, and, or so

While the words “also,” “and,” and “so” are used in academic writing, they are considered too informal when used at the start of a sentence.

• Also, a second round of testing was carried out.

To fix this issue, we can either move the transition word to a different point in the sentence or use a more formal alternative.

• A second round of testing was also carried out.
• Additionally, a second round of testing was carried out.

Transition words creating sentence fragments

Words like “although” and “because” are called subordinating conjunctions. This means that they introduce clauses which cannot stand on their own. A clause introduced by one of these words should always follow or be followed by another clause in the same sentence.

The second sentence in this example is a fragment, because it consists only of the “although” clause.

• Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed. Although other researchers disagree.

We can fix this in two different ways. One option is to combine the two sentences into one using a comma. The other option is to use a different transition word that does not create this problem, like “however.”

• Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed, although other researchers disagree.
• Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed. However, other researchers disagree.

And vs. as well as

Students often use the phrase “as well as” in place of “and,” but its usage is slightly different. Using “and” suggests that the things you’re listing are of equal importance, while “as well as” introduces additional information that is less important.

• Chapter 1 discusses some background information on Woolf, as well as presenting my analysis of To the Lighthouse.

In this example, the analysis is more important than the background information. To fix this mistake, we can use “and,” or we can change the order of the sentence so that the most important information comes first. Note that we add a comma before ‘as well as’ but not before ‘and’.

• Chapter 1 discusses some background information on Woolf and presents my analysis of To the Lighthouse.
• Chapter 1 presents my analysis of To the Lighthouse, as well as discussing some background information on Woolf.

Note that in fixed phrases like “both x and y,” you must use “and,” not “as well as.”

• Both my results as well as my interpretations are presented below.
• Both my results and my interpretations are presented below.

Use of and/or

The combination of transition words “and/or” should generally be avoided in academic writing. It makes your text look messy and is usually unnecessary to your meaning.

First consider whether you really do mean “and/or” and not just “and” or “or.” If you are certain that you need both, it’s best to separate them to make your meaning as clear as possible.

• Participants were asked whether they used the bus and/or the train.
• Participants were asked whether they used the bus, the train, or both.

Archaic transition words

Words like “hereby,” “therewith,” and most others formed by the combination of “here,” “there,” or “where” with a preposition are typically avoided in modern academic writing. Using them makes your writing feel old-fashioned and strained and can sometimes obscure your meaning.

• Poverty is best understood as a disease. Hereby, we not only see that it is hereditary, but acknowledge its devastating effects on a person’s health.

These words should usually be replaced with a more explicit phrasing expressing how the current statement relates to the preceding one.

• Poverty is best understood as a disease. Understanding it as such, we not only see that it is hereditary, but also acknowledge its devastating effects on a person’s health.

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Main Transition Words Takeaways:

• Transitional words are important because they help improve the flow between words, phrases, sentences, and paragraphs.
• They are important for SEO because they help make text easier to read and understand. Search engines and readers love content that is readable.
• Transition words help link ideas and statements.
• Using transitional words at the beginning or end of a paragraph can help the reader understand when you introduce a new topic.
• The four types of transition words are additive, adversative, causal, and sequential.
• Transition words and phrases don’t affect the grammatical structure of sentences and paragraphs.

What Are Transition Words?

As a writer, your primary goal is to present information and ideas to your target audience in a clear and understandable manner. The best way to do that is to use transition words. Transition words or transitional words are terms and phrases that help connect words, phrases, and even sentences together. They build connections between ideas in your content.

Transition words and phrases ensure that your written work will not look choppy and disjointed. They help your audience progress from one idea to the next. Think of them as a way to tell your readers how they should process and understand the information you are giving them. Transition words function like GPS, guiding your readers where they are going and how to get there.

What Are Some Examples Of Transition Words and Phrases?

Here are some of the most common examples of transition words and phrases:

Transition words are categorized based on their purpose. For instance, transition phrases like as a result of, due to, and as long as are used to emphasize cause and effect. Below are more examples of transition expressions that have been categorized based on their functions:

What Are Some Examples of Transition Sentences?

The best way to understand how transitional words work is to see them in action. Remember, as important as these grammatical tools are, it’s not a good idea to overuse them. Too many transitional phrases can make your text seem complicated and wordy. It could also make you seem like a chronic overexplainer, and nobody wins when that happens.

You can use transitions to go from sentence to sentence:

You can also use transition words and phrases to go from paragraph to paragraph:

What Are the Four Types of Transition Words?

There are a lot of different ways to categorize transition words. In this post, we will discuss the four main types of transition words: Additive, Adversative, Causal, and Sequential.

1. What are Additive Transitions?

These transition words add or introduce another idea. They may also reference a previously mentioned concept, identify a similarity, or clarify an idea. Additive transitional words include:

2. What are Adversative Transitions?

Adversative transitions may be used to signal opposing ideas or dismiss a previously discussed idea altogether. Some adversative transition words include:

3. What are Causal Transitions?

As for causal transitions, they’re most commonly used to denote cause and effect. They may also indicate the reason an idea or action is happening or has happened. Causal transition words include:

4. What are Sequential Transitions?

As the name suggests, sequential transitions are used to put a sequence of ideas in order (usually chronological). This helps the reader understand where ideas fall in a list or when you’re wrapping up your text. Sequential transitions include:

Are Conjunctions Considered Transition Words?

While conjunctions and transitions share the same purpose — to connect ideas between or within sentences — they are not used the same way. You must not confuse conjunctions with transitional words or expressions. Conjunctions connect phrases and clauses, whereas transitions indicate the relationship between sentences and paragraphs. Check the following examples:

Subordinating conjunctions connecting dependent clauses with independent clauses:

Read More: The Easiest Way To Get Subordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions connecting two independent clauses:

Transition words connecting sentences and paragraphs:

Another significant difference between transitions and conjunctions is their grammatical functions. Since conjunctions join clauses, they become part of the sentence and affect it grammatically. On the other hand, transition words have no impact on the grammatical structure of a sentence or paragraph. In short, you can remove a transition word, and it won’t have any impact on the sentence at all. Check the examples below:

Do Commas Go Before Or After Transition Words?

The placement of commas when using transition words will depend on where the latter appears in your text.

If your transition phrase appears at the beginning of the sentence, it is always set off with a comma.

If the transition word or phrase appears within an independent clause, it should be preceded by and set off with a comma.

If the transitional word appears between two independent clauses in a compound sentence, it should be preceded by a semicolon and set off with a comma.

How Are Transition Words Used in SEO?

SEO, or search engine optimization, is a process that involves optimizing your content for search engines to help improve ranking. The higher you are in search results, the more visibility your content will have. The more visible your content, the more people will see and learn about your brand.

Unlike keywords or meta tags, transitions between sentences or paragraphs don’t directly help boost your search ranking. Instead, it’s all about readability and structure.

See, Google runs on algorithms and those algorithms are big fans of order and ease of use. In other words, clarity is everything.

In the olden days (you know, like the 2010s), Google was like a heat-seeking missile for keywords. Basically, the more keywords you could stuff in your copy, the better you’d rank. That led to a lot of web pages that said something like, “buckets buckets buy some buckets buckets for sale the best buckets.”

What are they selling? You guessed it: buckets!

Google (and the rest of the world) soon realized the keyword stuffing wasn’t really good for anyone. Instead, search engines began focusing on how web pages could best serve the reader. Now, algorithms analyze web content for readability, and transition words play a huge role in that determination.

Transition Words Give Direction

Transition words also help you structure your content. Remember our road map? Transitional words can act as street signs, pointing readers left or right, directing them to take a U-turn, or propelling them onward.

Bottom line: Transition words make your content easier to read and understand. For this reason, it’s vital to rely not only on helpful tools but also on your own mind. If it reads well to you, it’ll likely read well to your audience.

Transition To a Closing

Finally, you can use transitions to introduce a new section or conclude your previous one—or wrap up the entire text. You may even use a transition to reinforce the general idea of your content before ending your piece:

Quick Transition Words Grammar Quiz

Read More: How to use a question mark (?)