Transition Words and Phrases

Writing clearly and concisely is one of the most challenging but important aspects of academic writing. Thankfully, writers have many transition words and phrases at their disposal to ensure their ideas cohere and connect. Transition words are typically placed at the beginning of a sentence and send a clear signal to guide your reader through the text. They often link two sentences together and build momentum in your writing by clearly connecting ideas and concepts.

Addition

You can use these words and phrases when you are introducing an example that builds on a previous example.

• Additionally
• Also
• As well
• Besides
• Furthermore
• In addition
• Indeed
• Moreover

Example

You can use these words and phrases when you are describing one specific instance to explain a larger concept.

• After all
• As an illustration
• For example
• For instance
• Specifically
• Such as

Elaboration

You can use these words and phrases when you are explaining something further.

• Actually
• By extension
• In fact
• In other words
• In short
• In sum
• To put it another way
• To put it succinctly
• Ultimately

Cause and Effect

You can use these words and phrases when you are describing how one thing leads to another.

• Accordingly
• As a result
• Consequently
• Hence
• Since
• Then
• Therefore
• Thus

Comparison

You can use these words and phrases when you are suggesting two ideas are alike.

• Along the same lines
• Comparatively
• Correspondingly
• Likewise
• In the same way
• Similarly

Contrast

You can use these words and phrases to suggest two things that are different.

• Albeit
• Although
• By contrast
• Conversely
• Despite
• Even though
• However
• In contrast
• Nevertheless
• Nonetheless
• On the contrary
• On the other hand
• Regardless
• Whereas
• While

Concession

You can use these words and phrases when you are acknowledging a counterargument or opposing idea or position.

• Admittedly
• Although
• Granted
• It is true that
• Naturally
• Of course
• That said
• To be sure
• While

Conclusion

You can use these words and phrases when you are wrapping up or closing an argument or section.

• As a result
• Consequently
• Hence
• In conclusion
• In short
• In summary
• To summarize
• To sum up

Source

Graff G., & Birkenstein, C. (2018). They Say/I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic
Writing. W.W. Norton and Company.

Writing Services, Wilfrid Laurier University, CC By-NC 2023