Transition words are essential. But do you know why? We’ll cover what they are and why they improve the flow of your writing.
Transition words (also known as transitional expressions) help guide your readers from one idea to the next. Readers don’t like abrupt changes, and they can be thrown off if you suddenly start talking about a different point or idea. Transition words improve the flow of your writing by linking paragraphs to each other. There is a myriad of transitional words and phrases you can include in your writing. We’ll cover the various types below.
There are several types of transition words that serve different functions. Below, you’ll find a table with examples of transition words.
| Type of Transition Word | Function | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Addition | Shows your readers that the following paragraph adds to the main point of your previous one. | Additionally, Furthermore, Indeed, In addition, Moreover, In fact, What is more, |
| Cause and Effect | Signals that certain circumstances, events, or points were caused by others. | Accordingly, As a result, Because, Consequently, Therefore, For this purpose, Hence, |
| Comparison | Indicates the similarities between the idea you just wrote about and the upcoming paragraph. | Again, Also, In the same way, Likewise, Once more, Similarly |
| Contrast | Indicates the differences between the idea you just wrote about and the upcoming paragraph. | Although, Even though, Despite, However, In contrast, In spite of, Nonetheless, On the contrary, |
| Sequence | Expresses a numerical sequence. | Again, Also, And then, Finally, First, Second, Third, Next, Still, Furthermore, |
| Time | Helps readers understand the chronological order of events. | After, Afterward, As soon as, At last, Before, Earlier, Meanwhile, In the meantime, Then, Later |
| Summary or Conclusion | Shows your readers that they’ve reached a summary or conclusion paragraph. | As a result, In short, All in all, In conclusion, To summarize, As has been noted, As mentioned earlier, |
If you want seamless writing, then transition words are vital. They help prepare your readers by letting them know how the upcoming text is relevant to what you just wrote. As essential as transition words are, they aren’t magical. Even properly placed transition words cannot undo the damage of having spelling and grammar mistakes. Luckily, LanguageTool can detect several types of errors, and it will offer corrections. Additionally, this multilingual text editor can provide synonyms and suggest stylistic improvements that’ll enhance your writing.
Share on Social Media
Gina holds a Bachelor of Arts in English. With a passion for creating art with words, she spends her free time reading and writing. And no, we didn’t force her to say that. You can find her strolling the shorelines with her loyal canine companion, Mango, or (painfully) cheering on her favorite team, the Miami Dolphins.
Go well beyond grammar and spell checking. Impress with clear, precise, and stylistically flawless writing instead.
We’ve made a mistake, forgotten about an important detail, or haven’t managed to get the point across? Let’s help each other to perfect our writing.
White text over purple background reads "synonyms for hardworking."" width="" height="200" />
Hardworking (also spelled hard-working) is an adjective that describes someone or something as “constantly putting engaged and strenuous effort into a job or task.” The word “hardworking” is commonly used in resumes to convey that an individual is ambitious and resolute, making them an ideal candidate to hire. Example: Using
White text over purple background reads, “Synonyms for thank you in advance.”" width="" height="200" />
Thank you in advance is a phrase many people use in their business emails, typically after they’ve made a request. A variant of this phrase is thanks in advance, but both are used in similar contexts. Example: Thank you in advance Dear Lauren, I will be out of the
White text over purple background reads "synonyms for going forward"" width="" height="200" />
“Going forward” is a popular business phrase that is commonly used to refer to future actions or strategies. It is frequently used to imply a change or progression from the current state. Example: Going forward in an email Dear Jessica, Thanks for coming into the office—the presentation was a
