Why Do We Need Transition Words And Phrases

Date Published: | Author: Mag Jehnsen | 8 votes - 90.00% Click a star to vote
We all read books and articles. And of course we notice many interesting phrases, which help to connect points of an idea. They make reading easier. These helpers are called transitional words and phrases. They create a logical structure of a text or message.
Examples Of Transitional Phrases
The represented categories will explain you which type of connection good transition words mean:
- Addition:
- as well as;
- again;
- furthermore;
- moreover;
- also;
- besides;
- similarly;
- coupled with;
- in addition;
- likewise.
Example: She adored pink hydrangeas as well as blue ones.
- Consequence:
- as a result;
- otherwise;
- for this purpose;
- accordingly;
- for this reason;
- therefore;
- consequently;
- hence;
- so then;
- thus;
- subsequently;
- thereupon;
- wherefore.
Example: He got an “A” grade as a result of great efforts.
- Contrast transition words and comparison:
- conversely;
- contrast;
- similarly;
- by the same token;
- instead;
- on one hand;
- rather;
- on the other hand;
- conversely;
- on the contrary;
- yet;
- still;
- in contrast;
- but;
- nevertheless;
- however.
Example: He found it hard to find the right words for explanations. However, he decided to come next morning.
- Direction:
- over there;
- here;
- in the distance;
- there;
- beyond;
- to the left;
- under;
- to the right;
- opposite;
- nearly.
Example: A teacher came into the class but there was nobody there.
- Diversion:
- incidentally;
- by the way.
Example: I had a great time this summer. By the way, did you go on vacation during this period?
- Emphasis:
- chiefly;
- particularly;
- above all;
- singularly;
- especially;
- with attention to.
Example: She liked all her new dresses especially the black one.
- Exception:
- barring;
- excepting;
- aside from;
- save;
- beside;
- outside of;
- exclusive of;
- other than;
- except;
- excluding.
Example: Everybody forgot about that situation except one person.
- Exemplifying transition words:
- particularly;
- chiefly;
- specifically;
- especially;
- such as;
- for instance;
- markedly;
- in particular;
- namely;
- including.
Example: We chose a few tourism services, such as transfer and excursions.
- Generalizing:
- as usual;
- for the most part;
- as a rule;
- generally speaking;
- generally;
- usually;
- ordinarily.
Example: The library was full of different books but usually he took only crime stories.
- Illustration:
- as an example;
- for example;
- illustrated with;
- in this case;
- for one thing;
- for instance;
- as an illustration.
Example: He represented a picture as an example of his paintings.
- Similarity:
- likewise;
- comparatively;
- together with;
- similar;
- coupled with;
- correspondingly;
- identically.
Example: Ann saw that man watching cars likewise he did yesterday.
- Restatement:
- in other words;
- to put it differently;
- in essence;
- that is;
- in short;
- namely;
- in brief.
Example: Their chief leader announced the creation of new vacancies. In other words, he wanted to create another department.
- Sequence:
- first of all;
- in the first place;
- later on;
- at first;
- meanwhile;
- the next step etc.
Example: George and Mag decided to move to another place. First of all they started looking for an appropriate apartment.
- Summarizing transitional phrase and words:
- all in all;
- in brief;
- after all;
- in any case;
- on balance;
- to sum up;
- in conclusion etc.
Example: I didn’t go to that museum yesterday but in any case it as closed.
Usefulness Of Transitional Words
In many situations transition words contrast with various phrases. They help to explain the main idea of a sentence. Any logical thought can be supported and described in case of right use.