Transitional Phrases

As you move from one idea to another, you can help your reader by using transitional words and phrases. Like signs on a highway that warn of turns in the road ahead, transitional expressions guide your reader through your thought process and the reasoning in your writing.

Coordinating Conjunctions show a relationship among words, clauses, or phrases and give them equal emphasis. To connect clauses, put a comma before the conjunction.

To add something: She handed me the cup, and I said, “Thank you.”
To contrast: I wrote a letter to him, but he never replied.
To show a choice: You can interview a few subjects in person, or you can conduct a survey by telephone.
To suggest a purpose: The city council wanted to fix the road, so they hired an engineer to do the job.
To show a causal relationship: He needed a job, for he had no money.
To add a negative: We did not write the book, nor did we edit it.
To suggest something was unexpected: They knew it would be a dangerous task, yet they agreed to carry out the mission.

Correlative Conjunctions are coordinating conjunctions that work in pairs.

Both Liberals and Conservatives agree on this principle.
Not only will your job provide income, but also it will teach you something new.
Either the judge will let the decision stand, or she will reverse it.
Just as the body needs physical exercise, so too the mind needs critical thinking.

Subordinating Conjunctions tie dependent clauses to independent clauses: Although he promised to be honest, no one believed him. After he lied, they never trusted him again.

To Show Time Order: after, as long as, as soon as, before, long before, since, until, when
To Contrast: although, even though, though, while
To Show Cause and Effect: because, now that, so that
To Show How Something was Done: as, as if, as though
To Show Place: where, wherever
To Set Conditions: assuming, if, whether

Conjunctive Adverbs are words or phrases that show the relationship between independent clauses. Use a period or semicolon with a conjunctive adverb to prevent a comma splice: He improved his appearance; moreover, he smiled more often. Consequently, he made new friends. This process took time, however.

To Add a Point: additionally, also, besides, finally, furthermore, moreover
To Show Time Order: first, second, next, then, meanwhile, subsequently, finally, earlier, previously, formerly, recently, presently, currently, tomorrow, henceforth, afterward
To Compare: likewise, similarly
To Contrast: conversely, however, nevertheless, nonetheless, otherwise, still
To Show Cause and Effect: accordingly, as a result, consequently, hence, so, therefore, thus
To Concede: admittedly, certainly, granted, naturally, while it is true that
To Emphasize: certainly, for that matter, indeed, in fact, of course, undoubtedly
To Give an Example: for example, for instance, namely

Prepositional Phrases can be used like conjunctive adverbs to show the relationship between independent clauses: He had worked for one month in a grocery store. Other than that, he had no employment history. Despite that fact, he applied for the job.

To Show Time Order: at the same time, before, during, following, in the past, prior to, until
To Compare: by the same token, in comparison, in a similar way, like
To Contrast: despite, in contrast, in spite of, on the contrary, on one hand, on the other hand, despite that fact, to the contrary
To Give an Example: in one example, in one instance, in one particular case
To Summarize or Conclude: in conclusion, in other words, in summary