Achieving Coherence in Writing: Transition Words and Phrases (part 2)

Transition words

To indicate addition:

  • and
  • also
  • above all
  • further, furthermore
  • moreover
  • first, second, third . . .
  • next
  • other
  • besides
  • too
  • likewise
  • last
  • again
  • finally
  • in addition
  • in the second place, secondly
  • what is more
  • indeed
  • in fact

To indicate contrast:

  • although, even though, though
  • at the same time
  • and yet
  • conversely
  • however
  • but
  • in contrast
  • nevertheless, nonetheless
  • notwithstanding
  • on the one hand, on the other hand rather
  • still
  • yet
  • whereas
  • or
  • not
  • on the contrary

To indicate concession:

  • no doubt, doubtless, doubtlessly
  • surely
  • certainly
  • naturally
  • granted that
  • although this [noun] may be true
  • admittedly
  • I admit
  • one must admit
  • I concede
  • one must concede
  • after all

To indicate result:

  • therefore
  • for that reason
  • consequently, as a consequence
  • as a result
  • then
  • thus
  • so
  • hence
To indicate cause/reason:
  • because
  • since
  • for

To indicate repetition:

  • again
  • as has been pointed out
  • as I have pointed out, as I have mentioned
  • to repeat
  • in other words
  • once again
  • in fact
  • indeed
  • to recapitulate, to recap
  • to repeat

To indicate time:

  • before
  • after, afterward
  • earlier
  • formerly
  • later
  • subsequently
  • presently
  • soon
  • shortly
  • meanwhile
  • simultaneously
  • now
  • then
  • after a while
  • at last
  • finally
  • at that time
  • in the meantime
  • in the past
  • up to now, until now

To indicate place:

  • between
  • among
  • here, there
  • elsewhere
  • above, below, behind, beyond
  • on top of
  • next to
  • adjacent to
  • opposite from, opposite to
  • farther, farther on
  • in the background