Transition (linking) words
In this section you will learn how to link your ideas within a paragraph. These skills will enable you to look at ways that your own writing can be improved.
Using transition (linking) words
A strong paragraph moves seamlessly from the topic sentence into the supporting sentences and on to the concluding sentence. To help organise a paragraph and ensure that ideas logically connect to one another, writers use transitional words and phrases. A transition is a connecting word that describes a relationship between ideas.
Take a look at this example:
There are numerous advantages to owning a hybrid car. First, they get 20 percent to 35 percent more kilometres to the litre than a fuel-efficient petrol-powered vehicle. Second, they produce very few emissions during low speed city driving. Because they do not require petrol, hybrid cars reduce dependency on fossil fuels, which helps lower prices at the pump. Alex bought a hybrid car two years ago and has been extremely impressed with its performance. “It’s the cheapest car I’ve ever had,” she said. “The running costs are far lower than previous petrol-powered vehicles I’ve owned.” Given the low running costs and environmental benefits of owning a hybrid car, it is likely that many more people will follow Alex’s example in the near future.
Each of the highlighted words is a transition word. At the beginning of each paragraph, you should aim to provide a clear topic sentence that tells the reader the subject of the paragraph, and also connects the paragraph with the previous paragraph or the main topic of the assignment.
Words such as first and second are transition words that show sequence or clarify order. They help organise the writer’s ideas by showing that he or she has another point to make in support of the topic sentence. Other transition words that show order include third, also, and furthermore.
The transition word because is a transition word of consequence that continues a line of thought. It indicates that the writer will provide an explanation of a result. In this sentence, the writer explains why hybrid cars will reduce dependency on fossil fuels (because they do not require petrol). Other transition words of consequence include as a result, so that, since, or for this reason.
To include a summarising transition in her concluding sentence, the writer could rewrite the final sentence as follows:
In conclusion, given the low running costs and environmental benefits of owning a hybrid car, it is likely that many more people will follow Alex’s example in the near future.
Helpful transition words
Listed below are some helpful transition words and phrases.
- The major concern
- Another important concern
- Another aspect of
- A leading idea / principle / opinion
- It is important to
- The main themes (factors/elements/aspects) are
- Views on…range from...to…
- The advantages / disadvantages of
- The evidence shows / suggests that
- It is apparent that
- A clear case for
- The traditional interpretation
- It can be seen that
- All these factors contribute to
- Essentially
- Thus it is
- Accordingly
- Another essential point
- After examining
- additionally
- also
- moreover
- further
- in addition (to this)
- furthermore
- either (neither)
- and
- too
- as well (as this)
- besides (this)
- neither/nor
- not only (this)
- but also (that)
- or
- indeed
- such as
- for example
- for instance
- as in particular
- especially
- particularly to
- illustrate
- notably
- including
- by way of example
- as an illustration
- concerning (this)
- regarding (this)
- considering (this)
- with regards to (this)
- with respect to
- on the subject of
- similarly
- likewise
- in the same way
- in a like manner
- equally
- that is namely
- specifically
- that is in other words
- basically
- in practice
- but in contrast
- however
- by way of contrast
- (and) yet
- when
- in fact
- while
- whereas
- conversely
- on the other hand though (final position)
- alternatively
- more importantly
- above all
- indeed
- clearly
- certainly
- in fact
- obviously
- but
- even
- so
- however
- (and) still
- (and) yet
- nevertheless
- nonetheless
- although
- though
- even though
- despite (this)
- in spite of (this)
- albeit
- regardless (of this)
- notwithstanding (this)
- be that as it may
- being that
- since
- in that
- in as much as
- because (of the fact)
- due to (the fact that)
- in view of (the fact)
- owing to (the fact)
- for
- if provided that
- providing that
- on (the) condition (that)
- in the event that
- given that
- even if
- only if
- unless
- otherwise
- if so
- so
- that in that case
- that being the case
- for this reason
- as a result (of this)
- because (of this)
- therefore
- consequently
- as a consequence
- thus
- in consequence
- accordingly
- under those circumstances
- hence
- so as to
- to this end
- in order to
- in order that
- with this intention
- for the purpose of
- Initially
- First
- to begin with
- to start with
- secondly
- first of all
- after (this)
- thirdly
- previously
- afterwards
- eventually
- subsequently
- before (this)
- next/then
- ultimately
- Finally
- Eventually
- In conclusion
- In the end
- In summary
- In short
- As a final point
- To conclude (with)
- To summarise
- As previously stated
- Overall
- Therefore
- Given these points
- Thus
Activity
Complete each paragraph by selecting the transition (word or phrase) that fits best:
Activity
References
Attributions
