Writers' Workshop Writing Tips: Transitions

The Center for Writing Studies, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Below are some example transitions and connective phrases for particular purposes.

Conjunctions and but or for nor neither so yet	To Summarize in all in a word in brief briefly in other words in short in summary that is	To Explain, Give Reasons actually admittedly because certainly for example in fact indeed really of course since that is
To Compare by comparison here again in the same way in a similar manner likewise similarly so too as also equally	To Contrast conversely however instead in spite of that anyhow on the contrary on the other hand otherwise rather than still yet	To Show Cause and Effect accordingly as a consequence as a result consequently for this reason hence it follows that so/so that then therefore thus
To Add Information and Reasons add to this again also besides equally further furthermore in addition moreover once more then too too yet again yet another	To Show Various Conditions in this event in these circumstances under such circumstances this (that) being so provided that in spite of none/nevertheless at the same time even if if unless otherwise although even though though despite	To Show Conviction after all at least at the same time apparently even so evidently certainly conceivably conclusively doubtless no doubt perhaps possibly presumably probably surely undoubtedly
To Show Concession admittedly after all all the same at any rate granted however in any case in spite of it is true that nevertheless obviously of course still to be sure	To Show Chronological Order after that afterwards later shortly subsequently concurrently in the meantime in the meanwhile now simultaneously when/while/was first, second, etc. formerly earlier previously before that then already at last at length by that time finally	To List or Show Logical Order for example for instance in particular to illustrate the one ... the other this ... that these ... those here ... there either ... or neither ... nor whether ... or though ... yet wherever ... there since ... then the more ... the more not only ... but also
To introduce a topic as for concerning with regard to with respect to	To Show Purpose in order that in order to so that