Complete List of Transition Words

100 Words and Phrases to Use Between Paragraphs

Once you have completed a first draft of your paper, you will need to rewrite some of the introductory sentences at the beginning and the transition statements at the end of every paragraph. Transitions, which connect one idea to the next, may seem challenging at first, but they get easier once you consider the many possible methods for linking paragraphs together—even if they seem to be unrelated.

Transition words and phrases can help your paper move along, smoothly gliding from one topic to the next. If you have trouble thinking of a way to connect your paragraphs, consider a few of these 100 top transitions as inspiration. The type of transition words or phrases you use depends on the category of transition you need, as explained below.

Additive Transitions

Probably the most common type, additive transitions are those you use when you want to show that the current point is an addition to the previous one. Put another way, additive transitions signal to the reader that you are adding to an idea and/or your ideas are similar, says Quizlet, an online teacher and student learning community. Some examples of additive transition words and phrases were compiled by Michigan State University writing lab. Follow each transition word or phrase with a comma:

Indeed
In the first place
And
Or
Too
Nor
Further
Moreover
Furthermore
In fact
Let alone
Alternatively
As well (as this)
What is more
In addition (to this)
Actually
Much less
On the other hand
Either (neither)
As a matter of fact
Besides (this)
To say nothing of
Additionally
Not to mention (this)
Not only (this) but also (that) as well

In all honesty
To tell the truth

An example of additive transitions used in a sentence would be:

"In the first place, no 'burning' in the sense of combustion, as in the burning of wood, occurs in a volcano; moreover, volcanoes are not necessarily mountains; furthermore, the activity takes place not always at the summit but more commonly on the sides or flanks...."
– Fred Bullard, "Volcanoes in History, in Theory, in Eruption

In this and the examples of transitions in subsequent sections, the transition words or phrases are printed in italics to make them easier to find as you peruse the passages.

Adversative Transitions

Adversative transitions are used to signal conflict, contradiction, concession, and dismissal, says Michigan State University. Examples include:

But
However
On the other hand
In contrast
While
Whereas
Conversely
Even more
Above all
But even so
Nevertheless
Nonetheless
Although
Though
However
(And) still
(And) yet
Either way
In either case
(Or) at least
Whichever happens
Whatever happens
In ether event

An example of an adversative transition phrase used in a sentence would be:

"On the other hand, professor Smith completely disagreed with the author's argument."

Causal Transitions

Causal transitions—also called cause-and-effect transitions—show how certain circumstances or events were caused by other factors, says Academic Help.

The website that offers assistance with academic writing adds: "They (causal transitions) make it easier for the reader to follow the logic of the arguments and clauses represented in paper." Examples include:

Accordingly
And so
As a result
Consequently
For this reason
Hence
So
Then
Therefore
Thus
Granting (that)
On the condition (that)
In the event that
As a result (of this)
Because (of this)
As a consequence
Consequently
In consequence
So much (so) that
For the purpose of
With this intention
With this in mind
Under those circumstances
That being the case
Then

An example of of a causal transition used in a sentence would be:

"The study of human chromosomes is in its infancy, and so it has only recently become possible to study the effect of environmental factors upon them."
–Rachel Carson, "Silent Spring"

Sequential Transitions

Sequential transitions express a numerical sequence, continuation, conclusion, digression, resumption, or summation, says Michigan State, which gives these examples:

In the (first, second, third, etc.) place
To begin with
To start with
Initially
Secondly
Next
Subsequently
Before
Afterward
After this
To conclude with
As a final point
Last but not least
To change the topic
Incidentally
By the way
To get back to the point
To resume
Anyhow
As was previously stated
So
In short
Thus
In sum
Finally

An example of a sequential transition would be:

"We should teach that words are not the things to which they refer. We should teach that words are best understood as convenient tools for handling reality....Finally, we should teach widely that new words can and should be invented if the need arises."
–Karol Janicki, "Language Misconceived"

In sum, use transition words and phrases judiciously to keep your paper moving, hold your readers' attention, and retain your audience until the final word.

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