A List of Transition Words You Can Use in Essays, Stories, and More

There are many different variations of spoken and written English, including American English, Australian English and most especially British English. But in all these different variants of English, the use of transition words is crucial for clear and effective communication. Udemy offers an enjoyable and informative course on the elements of English grammar that also thoroughly explains transition words and other grammatical devices widely used in all variations of English. This can be a great place to start when you’re looking to better your English skills or to develop daily grammar practice habits.

As a very popular language device, transition words make the use of English easier when writing and speaking it. A transition word or phrase is a way of demonstrating the relationship between two or more paragraphs or sections found in a piece of text or in speech. The use of transition words also provides cohesion because they make clearer or more explicit just how ideas written in text or spoken aloud actually relate to each other.

Without transition words, text or speech frequently sounds disjointed and scattered, with sentences or paragraphs often appearing not directly related to each other. One way of thinking about transition words in English is that they act as bridges able to carry a reader or listener from one section to the next. For written text, a transition word is similar to a road sign, and it helps the reader understand the direction of the writer’s thoughts.

List of Transition Words

There are many transition words and phrases found in the English language. A writer or speaker able to master the use of transition words is often able to present text or speech in a much more engaging and easy to remember manner. Before using any transition word or phrase when writing text such as a paper always ensure you understand its meaning as well as how it should be used in a sentence.

There may also be transition words that seem similar to each other but which may convey a different meaning to the reader if they’re not in synch with the logic being expressed by the writer. Transition words in English also fall into various categories such as “addition,” “time” and “illustration.” Here are just a few of the categories of transition words to be found in the English language:

Addition Transition Words

Addition transition words let the reader know that the writer is presenting two, three or more ideas in a list of items. An addition transition word introduces an idea that’s first in a list or it adds ideas to items that have already been mentioned by the writer. Common addition words include:

• One
• First
• Second
• Next
• Moreover
• Finally

Common transition word phrases include:

• First of all
• Last of all
• In the second place
• In addition

Time Transition Words

A time transition word tells the reader when something happened as it relates to something else or another matter already mentioned by the writer. Common time transition words include:

• First
• Next
• Now
• Later
• Previously
• Afterward
• Whenever
• Meanwhile
• During

Common time transition phrases include:

• In the meantime
• At present

Illustration Transition Words

Illustration transition words are useful because they point out that at least one if not several examples are being utilized to explain an idea. When an illustration transition word or phrase is used it tells the reader that a specific detail is going to be provided and will serve as an example. Common illustration transition words include:

• Once
• Illustration
• Example
• Including
• e.g. (for example)

Common illustration transition phrases include:

• Such as
• For example
• For instance
• To illustrate
• To demonstrate
• As an illustration

In English grammar, illustration transition words are also known as exemplification words.

Cause-and-Effect Transition Words

Cause-and-effect transition words are interesting and when they’re used properly in writing can be very powerful in discussing the reasons why something may have happened. Cause-and-effect transitions can serve as lesson-delivery or cautionary tale-type phrases, in essence. Here are some common cause-and-effect transition words:

• Because
• Since
• Effects
• Caused
• So
• Thus
• Therefore
• Hence
• Accordingly

Common cause-and-effect transition phrases include:

• On account of
• For that reason
• As a result

Transition words are one of the basic tools of the writing craft and they can be used between sentences as well as paragraphs and even between entire sections of a written work. One common grammatical device used to employ transition words is the transition of thought.

Transitions of Thought

Transitions of thought are words or phrases that work to maintain continuity of thought from one sentence or paragraph to the next. Pronouns and possessive pronouns are typically used in transitions of thought. Pronouns in transitions of thought include the words “he,” “she” and “it.”

Possessive pronouns in transitions of thought include the words “my,” “ours” and “its.” In using transitions of thought when writing, follow a noun with a pronoun to continue on the same subject or a noun with a possessive pronoun to move on to something related to the work’s original subject. Here are examples that use pronouns and possessive pronouns in transitions of thought:

• Spot is fast asleep. He is a large dog. His doghouse is near the tree.
• The apples are in the kitchen. Eat all you want, but check them for dirt and grime before eating.

Creative writing requires the use of basic as well as advanced English grammar in order to be effective and transition words are both a basic and advanced technique to produce memorable writing. Udemy’s advanced English grammar course will quickly teach writers already possessing basic grammar skills the high-level techniques that can make their works truly memorable. One of Udemy’s creative writing courses can also be added onto the site’s many basic and advanced English grammar courses to turn any writer into a master craftsman of outstanding works.

Mastering the use of transition words is important for all writers, and even speakers, of the English language in order to be clearly understood.   Udemy offers an English grammar essentials course that can quickly boost writing skills. If you’ve finally decided to take your writing efforts to the next level make sure to check out all of Udemy’s English grammar and creative writing courses now.