Sentence Transitions
Issue:
Transitions help you create coherence and consistency (i.e., “flow”) in your paper. Without the
proper use of transitions, your paper is likely to appear clipped or poorly organized, and your
reader will likely have difficulty understanding the relationship among your ideas. The following
chart can help you make these relationships more explicit.
Logical
Relationship
Addition
Cause and
Effect
Comparison
Contrast
Concession
Conclusion
Emphasis
Example
Repetition
Time or
Sequence
Transition Words
moreover, furthermore,
finally, in addition (to)
therefore, consequently, thus,
as a result (of), for this reason
likewise, similarly, in the
same way, in the same
manner
however, nevertheless, in
spite of, despite, in contrast,
on the other hand, on the
contrary
of course, to be sure, granted,
naturally, no doubt
therefore, in short, in
conclusion, to summarize, on
the whole, as I have
demonstrated, as the data
show
in fact, indeed
for example, for instance, in
particular, specifically,
namely
to repeat, in other words,
again, as mentioned earlier
first, second, third,
then, next, finally,
afterwards, meanwhile
* This subordinate conjunction requires a comma before it.
Coordinate
Conjunctions
, and
, nor
, so
, for
Subordinate
Conjunctions
, but
, yet
although,
though, even
though, despite,
in spite of,
whereas*
since, because,
if . . . then . . .
when, whenever,
while, until,
before, after, as
soon as
Guidelines for Using Transition Words
1) When combining two sentences by means of a transition word, use a period (.) or
semicolon (;) to create a division between your main ideas.
Example: The party sounded fun. However, I didn’t go because I didn’t have the time.
The party sounded fun; however, I didn’t have time to go.
2) You can combine two complete sentences with a comma and a coordinating
conjunction (and, but, yet, so, for, nor, or).
Example: The party sounded fun, but I didn’t go because I didn’t have the time.
3) If a subordinate clause precedes the main clause of your sentence, you will also need
to use a comma.
Example: Although the party sounded fun, I was too busy to go. (comma)
I heard about the party although I wasn’t there. (no comma)
Other Alternatives
1) When a logical relationship is clear between the main idea of your sentence and its
supporting details, you may not need to use a transition word.
Wrong: Many freshmen are uncomfortable during their first year of college
because they lack a sufficient support network. This is supported by Marcia Linton in her
article that “freshmen feel isolated and unmotivated because they haven’t yet found a way
of identifying with their new surroundings” (para. 10).
Correct: Many freshmen are uncomfortable during their first year of college because they
lack a sufficient support network. Marcia Linton, a placement counselor at a major
university, explains that “freshmen feel isolated and unmotivated because they haven’t yet
found a way of identifying with their new surroundings” (para. 10).
2) Often, words like this/these/such, followed by the appropriate noun, can stand in the place of a
transition word. These words, coupled with the repetition of key words, can help you shift
smoothly from old to new information.
“The emerging outlines of the Web’s global village have some people very excited and
Old Info
New Info
others worried. The worried contingent are concerned that the relationships people are
building on the Net lack an essential core of humanity. [These virtual relationships], they
believe . . . [are] being substituted for a social reality made up of real human beings. And such a
world, based entirely on the transmission of electronic signals, is potentially a world in which
human beings will be unable to conceive of others as human beings” (Maasik and Solomon 701).