transition words and phrases legal writing

Transition Words and Phrases

Techniques number.

If you've ever been told that your writing is choppy, you are likely missing useful transitions between your ideas. Transition words and phrases are the signals, connecting roads, and bridges that ease your reader's travel through your document. Transitions tell your reader something useful about what is coming and how it relates to what came before.

You need the reader to easily grasp your legal ideas, so make sure you have effective transitions. Without transitions, the reader sees only a series of disconnected points from your research. And you make the reader figure out how the points relate to each other. For example, if you describe Case A then describe Case B, without telling the reader that the cases are similar or contrasting or that one modifies the other, the reader doesn't know what you think. Remember, you are the writer; you are responsible to make everything clear for your reader.

How fluent are your transitions? Do you steer the reader well and keep the reader's eyes on the road with enough varied and well-placed transition words?

Here are two paragraphs that we edited for better transitions. First we highlighted all the transition words and underlined places where we thought the reader would benefit from a transition word or phrase. Then we revised. We added transitions,and changed the repetitive ones. We removed unnecessary transitions and moved some to the middle of sentences.

Look at our highlights and underlines. Then read our revised paragraphs and mouse over the transition words to see why we made the changes.

The paragraphs are from a memo discussing whether a client can stop her neighbour from building a tree house in a tree that straddles two properties. The tree is the common property of both the client and her neighbour.

Here is the highlighted and underlined text. Notice how few transitions are in the first paragraph.

As per the common law, courts have interpreted the term reasonable use by considering (1) the nature of the property, and (2) any impairment caused by the use. Impairment does not include a decrease in the property's value resulting from its usual or legitimate use. A claimant must prove that the impairment is more than just wear and tear from regular use.  In Hersey , the court held that cutting trees for timber was a usual and legitimate use for a wood lot.  The court found that the defendant's use did not amount to destruction of common property.   The defendant cut down nearly an acre of trees.  The acre was only a small proportion of the woodlot. Hersey is an older case, nevertheless   the principle of reasonable use has been applied consistently for decades.

However, unlike Hersey and the subsequent cases, in our case the neighbour's plans do not risk destroying the common property. The neighbour proposes to build a small tree house in the lower branches of the boundary tree.  Our client however complains that the unsightly tree bordering her front yard will diminish her property value. Consequently the question is therefore whether the defendant can prove a significant impact on the value of her property in order to meet the test in Hersey.

Here are the edited paragraphs.

Under the common law, courts have interpreted the term reasonable use by considering (1) the nature of the property, and (2) any impairment caused by the use . But , impairment does not include a decrease in the property's value resulting from its usual or legitimate use. In other words , a claimant must prove that the impairment is more than just wear and tear from regular use.  In Hersey , for example , the court held that cutting trees for timber was a usual and legitimate use for a wood lot.  The court found that the defendant's use did not amount to destruction of common property despite the defendant cutting down nearly an acre of trees because the defendant cut only a small proportion of the woodlot. Hersey is an older case; nevertheless , the principle of reasonable use has been applied consistently for decades.

Unlike Hersey and the subsequent cases, in our case the neighbour's plans do not risk destroying the common property. Specifically , the neighbour proposes to build a small tree house in the lower branches of the boundary tree.  Our client, however , complains that the unsightly tree bordering her front yard will diminish her property value. The question is, therefore , whether the defendant can prove a significant impact on the value of her property in order to meet the test in Hersey.

Test out your transition know-how with the following activity.

Turn on your "transition words GPS" to steer the reader. Keep your reader's eyes on the road with good variety and placement.

Here is a paragraph that needs editing for transitions. We put a number in each spot where you might consider editing.

Try for variety both in the transitions you choose and where you place them.  Your reader will be hypnotized and lose interest in the journey if you constantly use typical, repetitive transition words or phrases in a monotonous pattern.  Decide which transition words to keep. Take out transition words that are not really necessary and just end up cluttering the text. Use the Categories of Transition Words and Phrases to create variety. You can rewrite sentences and combine sentences using transitions.

Categories of Transition Words and Phrases

Transitional Words and Phrases

One of your primary goals as a writer is to present ideas in a clear and understandable way. To help readers move through your complex ideas, you want to be intentional about how you structure your paper as a whole as well as how you form the individual paragraphs that comprise it. In order to think through the challenges of presenting your ideas articulately, logically, and in ways that seem natural to your readers, check out some of these resources: Developing a Thesis Statement , Paragraphing , and Developing Strategic Transitions: Writing that Establishes Relationships and Connections Between Ideas.

While clear writing is mostly achieved through the deliberate sequencing of your ideas across your entire paper, you can guide readers through the connections you’re making by using transitional words in individual sentences. Transitional words and phrases can create powerful links between your ideas and can help your reader understand your paper’s logic.

In what follows, we’ve included a list of frequently used transitional words and phrases that can help you establish how your various ideas relate to each other. We’ve divided these words and phrases into categories based on the common kinds of relationships writers establish between ideas.

Two recommendations: Use these transitions strategically by making sure that the word or phrase you’re choosing matches the logic of the relationship you’re emphasizing or the connection you’re making. All of these words and phrases have different meanings, nuances, and connotations, so before using a particular transitional word in your paper, be sure you understand its meaning and usage completely, and be sure that it’s the right match for your paper’s logic. Use these transitional words and phrases sparingly because if you use too many of them, your readers might feel like you are overexplaining connections that are already clear.

Categories of Transition Words and Phrases

Causation Chronology Combinations Contrast Example

Importance Location Similarity Clarification Concession

Conclusion Intensification Purpose Summary

Transitions to help establish some of the most common kinds of relationships

Causation– Connecting instigator(s) to consequence(s).

accordingly as a result and so because

consequently for that reason hence on account of

since therefore thus

Chronology– Connecting what issues in regard to when they occur.

after afterwards always at length during earlier following immediately in the meantime

later never next now once simultaneously so far sometimes

soon subsequently then this time until now when whenever while

Combinations Lists– Connecting numerous events. Part/Whole– Connecting numerous elements that make up something bigger.

additionally again also and, or, not as a result besides even more

finally first, firstly further furthermore in addition in the first place in the second place

last, lastly moreover next second, secondly, etc. too

Contrast– Connecting two things by focusing on their differences.

after all although and yet at the same time but

despite however in contrast nevertheless nonetheless notwithstanding

on the contrary on the other hand otherwise though yet

Example– Connecting a general idea to a particular instance of this idea.

as an illustration e.g., (from a Latin abbreviation for “for example”)

for example for instance specifically that is

to demonstrate to illustrate

Importance– Connecting what is critical to what is more inconsequential.

chiefly critically

foundationally most importantly

of less importance primarily

Location– Connecting elements according to where they are placed in relationship to each other.

above adjacent to below beyond

centrally here nearby neighboring on

opposite to peripherally there wherever

Similarity– Connecting to things by suggesting that they are in some way alike.

by the same token in like manner

in similar fashion here in the same way

likewise wherever

Other kinds of transitional words and phrases Clarification

i.e., (from a Latin abbreviation for “that is”) in other words

that is that is to say to clarify to explain

to put it another way to rephrase it

granted it is true

naturally of course

finally lastly

in conclusion in the end

to conclude

Intensification

in fact indeed no

of course surely to repeat

undoubtedly without doubt yes

for this purpose in order that

so that to that end

to this end

in brief in sum

in summary in short

to sum up to summarize

Improving Your Writing Style

This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.

Clear, Concise Sentences

Use the active voice

Put the action in the verb

Tidy up wordy phrases

Reduce wordy verbs

Reduce prepositional phrases

Reduce expletive constructions

Avoid using vague nouns

Avoid unneccessarily inflated words

Avoid noun strings

Connecting Ideas Through Transitions

Using Transitional Words and Phrases

Broaden and Deepen Your Repertoire of Transitions

As we discussed last month, writing seamless paragraphs requires use of transitions, or logical connectors. The ones that appear most frequently in legal writing are moreover , additionally , however , furthermore , and nevertheless .

The problem is that these words get old fast, as legal writing expert Ross Guberman notes in Point Made: How to Write Like the Nation’s Top Advocates (2d ed.)  They’ve been so overused that they’ve become all-encompassing and nonexclusive in nature.  Lawyers often write moreover , furthermore , and additionally merely to introduce a new point—regardless whether it’s related to the one they’ve just made. Similarly, they rely on nevertheless and however as “catch-alls for all sorts of vague contrasts, counterarguments, and exceptions.”

To improve our use of transitions and liven up our writing, Guberman advises us to “broaden and deepen [our] repertoire.”

To help us achieve that, he has come up with what he claims is “the most comprehensive list available of transitions for lawyers and other advocates.”  He’s arranged them according to our “goal for the sentence” and tells us to “favor the shorter options in each category.”

Here is the first half of his list of 135 transition words and phrases. Next month, we will present the second.

About the author:

Attorney Savannah Blackwell is a former news reporter who covered government and politics for more than a decade, mostly in San Francisco. She can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @SavannahBinSF    

Related Posts

For the sake of brevity, at the very least, banish these phrases from your writing

We need to talk about your special interrogatories, the simple elegance of a semicolon.

• The Bar Association of San Francisco
• Justice and Diversity Center
• Lawyer Referral and Information Service
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use

• school Campus Bookshelves
• menu_book Bookshelves
• perm_media Learning Objects
• login Login
• how_to_reg Request Instructor Account
• hub Instructor Commons
• Download Page (PDF)
• Download Full Book (PDF)
• Periodic Table
• Physics Constants
• Scientific Calculator
• Reference & Cite
• Tools expand_more
• Readability

selected template will load here

This action is not available.

1.16: Transitions and Signposting

• Last updated
• Save as PDF
• Page ID 143684

• Jean Mangan, Brittany Blanchard, Gabrielle Gravel, Chase Lyndale, & Connely Doizé
• University System of Georgia via Affordable Learning Goergia

Using transitional words and phrases as signposts in your writing will help guide the reader through your analysis. Remember that you want to make your writing as accessible as possible to your reader. The reader, using your transitions, can better follow your analysis because you have shown the reader how each sentence relates to the next. The reader will find your writing to be more credible because the reader will not struggle to understand your point.

You do not need to include a transition with every sentence! This will clutter your writing and make it more difficult to understand your analysis. Instead, use transitions when you want to signal that you are

• Moving on to the next item in a list
• Providing an example

Generalizing

• Analogizing or comparing
• Presenting an opposing viewpoint
• Emphasizing a particular thought
• Expanding to explain intricacies of a larger concept
• Preempting a counteranalysis or counterargument
• Concluding a piece of analysis or argument

Below are lists with suggested words and phrases you can use to signpost in your writing.

After Finally Initially

Before First, second, etc. Last

During Further Later

Meanwhile Subsequently Until

Since To begin with

Introducing an Example

As in In particular Say

For Example Like Such as

For Instance Namely To demonstrate

Including Notably To illustrate

As a rule In general Usually

For the most part In most cases

Generally On the whole

Analogy/Comparison

Also Here Much like

And Identically On one hand

As In comparison Similarly

Comparatively In like manner To

Compared to In the same way Together with

Compared with Just as Too

Equally Likewise

Contrast/Opposition

Alternatively Despite Notwithstanding

Although Even though On the contrary

At the same time However On the other hand

Besides In contrast Rather

But Nevertheless Regardless

By contrast Nonetheless Though

Conversely Not Unlike

Additionally Especially Indeed

Again Even more In effect

Apart from this Explicitly In fact

By analogy Furthermore Markedly

Certainly Importantly Moreover

Namely Significantly To emphasize

Particularly Specifically

Explanation of Intricacies

Additionally Frequently Moreover

Also Furthermore More specifically

And In detail Namely

Another reason In like manner Nor

As well In other words To clarify

Besides In particular To explain

By the same token In relation to

Preemption of Counteranalysis or Counterargument

All the same Even assuming Though some might argue

Although Even if While it could be

At the same time Even though

Despite Notwithstanding

Accordingly

As a consequence

In conclusion

To conclude

To summarize

Keep in mind that your written product should be designed to serve as a tool that the reader can use to make a decision. Complement your roadmap in your introductory paragraph by providing transitions and signposts as you proceed through your legal analysis to guide the reader.

Transition Phrases

Dear 1L, These are some words and phrases I used to use as transitions between the different parts of CREAC:

A: Transition from your legal rule/explanation section to your discussion of court decisions:

-Under these legal standards, -Applying these rules, -When considering these factors, -Courts have applied these standards to conclude that . . . -In application, these legal tests have led courts to . . . -Consistent with these principles, -According to these requirements,

B: Transition from discussion of one favorable case to another:

-Similarly, -The court in [case 2] likewise ruled that -The court reached a similar result in [case 2] -Also instructive is [case 2] -Second, -Consistent with the reasoning of [case 1], is [case 2].

C: Transition from favorable cases to unfavorable ones:

-It is expected that [opponent] will raise . . . -Nevertheless, -By contrast, where the facts are [not like yours], -Conversely, -To be sure, -The cases that go the other way are . . .

D: Transition from explanation of cases to application to your facts

-So too here, -As in _, the plaintiff/defendant here . . . -In the same way, -Much like _ was true there, here . . . -As in [case 1], the plaintiff/defendant in [case 2] . . .

E: Transition from application to conclusion:

-And so, -Therefore, -Thus, -As a result, -In the end, -Overall, -Accordingly, -Boiled down,

Try them or make up your own. But do use something. Otherwise, your paragraphs will be like deserted islands. And that will make your brief very dry and sandy for the reader. 🙂

Fondly, 💌 Amanda

P.S. LITIGATORS:

🗳️ What are some of your go-to transitions? 1Ls need more food for thought!

#Dear1L #DearLegalWriter

University of Virginia School of Law

4 Tips to More Concise Legal Writing

Professor Joe Fore is co-director of UVA Law’s Legal Research and Writing Program.

Everyone wants concise writing — writing that conveys information in the shortest, simplest way possible. But while most of us know concise writing when we see it (or, just as often, when we don’t see it), it can be hard to achieve it in our own work. Here are four steps that will have you writing more efficiently.

Tip 1: Break up long sentences

Shortening sentences is the fastest way to make your writing more concise. Because legal writing often involves complex concepts, it can be tempting to mirror that complexity in longwinded sentences that cram multiple ideas together. Fight that temptation.

Instead, break long sentences into shorter ones that each make a distinct point. Then, connect those shorter sentences with transition words to show the relationships between your ideas. For example, here Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg summarizes the life cycle of a criminal case in four crisp sentences linked with clear transitions (highlighted):

Criminal proceedings generally unfold in three discrete phases. First , the State investigates to determine whether to arrest and charge a suspect. Once charged , the suspect stands accused but is presumed innocent until conviction upon trial or guilty plea. After conviction, the court imposes sentence.

Justice Ginsburg’s longest sentence contains 17 words; her shortest just six. Now, not every sentence can be as succinct as her last line. Nor would you want it to be. Your writing should contain a variety of sentences—some a bit shorter, some a bit longer. But, overall, strive for an average sentence length of around 20 words.

Tip 2: Start sentences with conjunctions

One of the easiest ways to shorten sentences while preserving flow between them is to start more sentences with But and And . Forget what you may have learned in school; starting sentences with conjunctions is not only grammatically correct, it’s good practice. Great writers do it all the time. Take the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision in Sessions v. Dimaya . Justice Elena Kagan started nearly 50 sentences with But or And in her 25-page majority opinion, while Justice Neil Gorsuch did it more than two dozen times in his 18-page concurrence.

Tip 3: Use shorter words and phrases

Short and simple language is a hallmark of clear, concise writing. So look for places to purge longer and more complex words from your newly shortened sentences. But it’s not just about excising esoteric terms and legalese— concomitantly , heretofore, arguendo . That’s a given; that’s the easy stuff. What’s harder is cutting common expressions that are longer than they need to be. Anywhere you can save is a plus: fewer letters, fewer words, fewer syllables. Here are some common legal writing phrases and their shorter, simpler substitutes:

For extra impact, combine this tip with the previous one and swap longer transitions for shorter conjunctions at the start of your sentences. And can replace Furthermore or Additionally at the start of a sentence, while But is a good stand-in for However . And if you tend to use Therefore , Accordingly or Consequently to show causation, try trading it for the peppier Thus or even So .

Tip 4: Nix nominalizations

Nominalizations are nouns formed from other parts of speech—words like explanation , settlement and viability . They present special problems for writers seeking concision. First, they’re typically longer than the verbs or adjectives they’re formed from ( settlement vs. settle , viability vs. viable ). They also require us to add extra words to make sentences grammatically correct. Take, for example, this sentence:

The majority opinion contains a discussion of legislative history.

At just nine words, the sentence isn’t long from an objective standpoint. Still, because it uses the noun discussion rather than the verb discuss , it’s longer than it needs to be. Not only is discussion a bigger word, using it also forces us to add an article ( a ), a preposition ( of ) and a verb ( contains ). Changing discussion back into a verb lets us streamline the sentence—and make it more active, to boot:

The majority opinion discusses legislative history.

Once you’re aware of nominalizations, you’ll see them (and cut them) everywhere—from pleadings and contracts to emails and text messages. No longer will you enter into an agreement or make a decision ; you’ll simply agree or decide .  

Reprinted from Virginia Lawyer

Mary M. Wood Chief Communications Officer

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• Academic writing
• Transition Words & Phrases | List & Examples

Transition Words & Phrases | List & Examples

Published on May 29, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on August 23, 2023.

Transition words and phrases (also called linking words, connecting words, or transitional words) are used to link together different ideas in your text. They help the reader to follow your arguments by expressing the relationships between different sentences or parts of a sentence.

The proposed solution to the problem did not work. Therefore , we attempted a second solution. However , this solution was also unsuccessful.

For clear writing, it’s essential to understand the meaning of transition words and use them correctly.

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

Table of contents

When and how to use transition words, types and examples of transition words, common mistakes with transition words, other interesting articles.

Transition words commonly appear at the start of a new sentence or clause (followed by a comma ), serving to express how this clause relates to the previous one.

Transition words can also appear in the middle of a clause. It’s important to place them correctly to convey the meaning you intend.

Example text with and without transition words

The text below describes all the events it needs to, but it does not use any transition words to connect them. Because of this, it’s not clear exactly how these different events are related or what point the author is making by telling us about them.

If we add some transition words at appropriate moments, the text reads more smoothly and the relationship among the events described becomes clearer.

Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. Consequently , France and the United Kingdom declared war on Germany. The Soviet Union initially worked with Germany in order to partition Poland. However , Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941.

Don’t overuse transition words

While transition words are essential to clear writing, it’s possible to use too many of them. Consider the following example, in which the overuse of linking words slows down the text and makes it feel repetitive.

In this case the best way to fix the problem is to simplify the text so that fewer linking words are needed.

The key to using transition words effectively is striking the right balance. It is difficult to follow the logic of a text with no transition words, but a text where every sentence begins with a transition word can feel over-explained.

Here's why students love Scribbr's proofreading services

Discover proofreading & editing

There are four main types of transition word: additive, adversative, causal, and sequential. Within each category, words are divided into several more specific functions.

Remember that transition words with similar meanings are not necessarily interchangeable. It’s important to understand the meaning of all the transition words you use. If unsure, consult a dictionary to find the precise definition.

Additive transition words

Additive transition words introduce new information or examples. They can be used to expand upon, compare with, or clarify the preceding text.

Adversative transition words

Adversative transition words always signal a contrast of some kind. They can be used to introduce information that disagrees or contrasts with the preceding text.

Causal transition words

Causal transition words are used to describe cause and effect. They can be used to express purpose, consequence, and condition.

Sequential transition words

Sequential transition words indicate a sequence, whether it’s the order in which events occurred chronologically or the order you’re presenting them in your text. They can be used for signposting in academic texts.

Transition words are often used incorrectly. Make sure you understand the proper usage of transition words and phrases, and remember that words with similar meanings don’t necessarily work the same way grammatically.

Misused transition words can make your writing unclear or illogical. Your audience will be easily lost if you misrepresent the connections between your sentences and ideas.

Confused use of therefore

“Therefore” and similar cause-and-effect words are used to state that something is the result of, or follows logically from, the previous. Make sure not to use these words in a way that implies illogical connections.

• We asked participants to rate their satisfaction with their work from 1 to 10. Therefore , the average satisfaction among participants was 7.5.

The use of “therefore” in this example is illogical: it suggests that the result of 7.5 follows logically from the question being asked, when in fact many other results were possible. To fix this, we simply remove the word “therefore.”

• We asked participants to rate their satisfaction with their work from 1 to 10. The average satisfaction among participants was 7.5.

Starting a sentence with also , and , or so

While the words “also,” “and,” and “so” are used in academic writing, they are considered too informal when used at the start of a sentence.

• Also , a second round of testing was carried out.

To fix this issue, we can either move the transition word to a different point in the sentence or use a more formal alternative.

• A second round of testing was also carried out.
• Additionally , a second round of testing was carried out.

Transition words creating sentence fragments

Words like “although” and “because” are called subordinating conjunctions . This means that they introduce clauses which cannot stand on their own. A clause introduced by one of these words should always follow or be followed by another clause in the same sentence.

The second sentence in this example is a fragment, because it consists only of the “although” clause.

• Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed. Although other researchers disagree.

We can fix this in two different ways. One option is to combine the two sentences into one using a comma. The other option is to use a different transition word that does not create this problem, like “however.”

• Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed, although other researchers disagree.
• Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed. However , other researchers disagree.

And vs. as well as

Students often use the phrase “ as well as ” in place of “and,” but its usage is slightly different. Using “and” suggests that the things you’re listing are of equal importance, while “as well as” introduces additional information that is less important.

• Chapter 1 discusses some background information on Woolf, as well as presenting my analysis of To the Lighthouse .

In this example, the analysis is more important than the background information. To fix this mistake, we can use “and,” or we can change the order of the sentence so that the most important information comes first. Note that we add a comma before “as well as” but not before “and.”

• Chapter 1 discusses some background information on Woolf and presents my analysis of To the Lighthouse .
• Chapter 1 presents my analysis of To the Lighthouse , as well as discussing some background information on Woolf.

Note that in fixed phrases like “both x and y ,” you must use “and,” not “as well as.”

• Both my results as well as my interpretations are presented below.
• Both my results and my interpretations are presented below.

Use of and/or

The combination of transition words “and/or” should generally be avoided in academic writing. It makes your text look messy and is usually unnecessary to your meaning.

First consider whether you really do mean “and/or” and not just “and” or “or.” If you are certain that you need both, it’s best to separate them to make your meaning as clear as possible.

• Participants were asked whether they used the bus and/or the train.
• Participants were asked whether they used the bus, the train, or both.

Archaic transition words

Words like “hereby,” “therewith,” and most others formed by the combination of “here,” “there,” or “where” with a preposition are typically avoided in modern academic writing. Using them makes your writing feel old-fashioned and strained and can sometimes obscure your meaning.

• Poverty is best understood as a disease. Hereby , we not only see that it is hereditary, but acknowledge its devastating effects on a person’s health.

These words should usually be replaced with a more explicit phrasing expressing how the current statement relates to the preceding one.

• Poverty is best understood as a disease. Understanding it as such , we not only see that it is hereditary, but also acknowledge its devastating effects on a person’s health.

Using a paraphrasing tool for clear writing

With the use of certain tools, you can make your writing clear. One of these tools is a paraphrasing tool . One thing the tool does is help your sentences make more sense. It has different modes where it checks how your text can be improved. For example, automatically adding transition words where needed.

If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or writing rules make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

 Academic Writing

• Avoiding repetition
• Effective headings
• Passive voice
• Taboo words
• Deep learning
• Generative AI
• Machine learning
• Reinforcement learning
• Supervised vs. unsupervised learning

 (AI) Tools

• Grammar Checker
• Paraphrasing Tool
• Text Summarizer
• AI Detector
• Plagiarism Checker
• Citation Generator

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Caulfield, J. (2023, August 23). Transition Words & Phrases | List & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved April 9, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-writing/transition-words/

Is this article helpful?

Jack Caulfield

Other students also liked, using conjunctions | definition, rules & examples, transition sentences | tips & examples for clear writing, how to write topic sentences | 4 steps, examples & purpose, "i thought ai proofreading was useless but..".

I've been using Scribbr for years now and I know it's a service that won't disappoint. It does a good job spotting mistakes”

Transition Words and Phrases

Transitions are connecting words or phrases that strengthen the internal cohesion of your writing. Transition words tell the reader how one idea relates to another. Using them appropriately makes your argument more convincing because the reader is able to understand the flow between and within paragraphs, including the relationship between different ideas, evidence, and analysis. 

Types of Transition Words and Phrases

• additionally
• coupled with
• furthermore
• equally important
• in addition

Cause and Effect

• accordingly
• as consequence
• as a result
• at that time
• concurrently
• consequently
• followed by
• for this purpose
• for this reason
• subsequently
• comparatively
• correspondingly
• in the same way
• on the one han
• together with

Contrast/Exception/Concession

• a different view is
• alternatively
• despite/in spite of (+ noun)
• differing from
• even though
• in contrast
• it could also be said that
• nevertheless
• notwithstanding (+ noun)
• nonetheless
• on the contrary
• on (the) one hand
• on the other hand
• regardless of (+ noun)
• in particular
• particularly

Example/Illustration

• as an example
• as an illustration
• for example
• for instance
• illustrated by
• in the/this case
• on this occasion
• specifically
• to demonstrate
• to illustrate
• all things considered
• at the same time
• in other words
• on the whole
• that is to say
• to put it differently
• first, second, third, etc.

Summary/Conclusion

• by and large
• in any case
• in any event
• in conclusion
• to conclude
• to summarize
• at that/this point
• at that/this time
• immediately
• in the future
• in the meantime
• in the past
• simultaneously

Sample Transition Words

While (1) qualitative data is helpful in gauging graduate student responses to Boot Camp, it is also crucial that we undertake data-driven analysis to support the value of the four-day writing event.   Currently (2),   quantitative measures of satisfaction of Dissertation Boot Camp participants are tracked in two ways: through a formal survey posted through SurveyMonkey and an informal survey that is handwritten at the end of the Camp.   In fact (3),   to ensure reliable data for analysis, the SurveyMonkey questionnaire is filled out by students at three different times: before Camp, on the first day of Camp, and 30 days after Camp. The decision to send the survey at three different times was made in order to ensure that attitudes prior to Camp matched attitudes on the first day, and to then compare that to results after Camp.   However (4) the current survey questions are somewhat informal, and none have been psychometrically tested. In order to improve the reliability and usefulness of the collected data, we will need to revise some of our Likert-scale based questions using currently-available test questions from other indices.   Ultimately (5) , this combination of quantitative and qualitative data will help us to make decisions about the program as it is offered in subsequent semesters.

(1) Comparison

(3) Emphasis

(4) Contrast/Exception/Concession

(5) Summary/Conclusion

Writing Studio

Common transition words and phrases.

In an effort to make our handouts more accessible, we have begun converting our PDF handouts to web pages. Download this page as a PDF: Transitions Return to Writing Studio Handouts

Transitions clarify the logic of your argument by orienting your reader as you develop ideas between sentences and paragraphs. These tools should alert readers to shifts in your argument while and also maintain the smoothness and clarity of your prose. Below, you’ll find some of the most commonly used transition categories and examples of each. Depending on the example, these suggestions may be within sentences or at the beginning of sentences.

Transitions by Category

1. addition.

Use when presenting multiple ideas that flow in the same direction, under the same heading/ idea also, another, finally, first, first of all, for one thing, furthermore, in addition, last of all, likewise, moreover, next, and, second, the third reason

2. Sequence/ Order

Use to suggest a temporal relationship between ideas; places evidence in sequence first, second (etc.), next, last, finally, first of all, concurrently, immediately, prior to, then, at that time, at this point, previously, subsequently, and then, at this time, thereafter, previously, soon, before, after, followed by, after that, next, before, after, meanwhile, formerly, finally, during

3. Contrast

Use to demonstrate differences between ideas or change in argument direction but, however, in contrast, on the other hand, on the contrary, yet, differ, difference, balanced against, differing from, variation, still, on the contrary, unlike, conversely, otherwise, on the other hand, however

4. Exception

Use to introduce an opposing idea however, whereas, on the other hand, while, instead, in spite of, yet, despite, still, nevertheless, even though, in contrast, but, but one could also say…

5. Comparison

Use to demonstrate similarities between ideas that may not be under the same subject heading or within the same paragraph like, likewise, just, in a different way / sense, whereas, like, equally, in like manner, by comparison, similar to, in the same way, alike, similarity, similarly, just as, as in a similar fashion, conversely

6. Illustration

Use to develop or clarify an idea, to introduce examples, or to show that the second idea is subordinate to the first for example, to illustrate, on this occasion, this can be seen, in this case, specifically, once, to illustrate, when/where, for instance, such as, to demonstrate, take the case of, in this case

7. Location

Use to show spatial relations next to, above, below, beneath, left, right, behind, in front, on top, within

8. Cause and Effect

Use to show that one idea causes, or results from, the idea that follows or precedes it because, therefore, so that, cause, reason, effect, thus, consequently, since, as a result, if…then, result in

9. Emphasis

Use to suggest that an idea is particularly important to your argument important to note, most of all, a significant factor, a primary concern, a key feature, remember that, pay particular attention to, a central issue, the most substantial issue, the main value, a major event, the chief factor, a distinctive quality, especially valuable, the chief outcome, a vital force, especially relevant, most noteworthy, the principal item, above all, should be noted

10. Summary or Conclusion

Use to signal that what follows is summarizing or concluding the previous ideas; in humanities papers, use these phrases sparingly. to summarize, in short, in brief, in sum, in summary, to sum up, in conclusion, to conclude, finally

Some material adapted from Cal Poly Pomona College Reading Skills Program and “ Power Tools for Technical Communication .” 

Writing Effective Sentence Transitions (Advanced)

Transitions are the rhetorical tools that clarify the logic of your argument by orienting your reader as you develop ideas between sentences and paragraphs. The ability to integrate sentence transitions into your prose, rather than simply throwing in overt transition signals like “in addition,” indicates your mastery of the material. (Note: The visibility of transitions may vary by discipline; consult with your professor to get a better sense of discipline or assignment specific expectations.)

Transition Signals

Transition signals are words or phrases that indicate the logic connecting sets of information or ideas. Signals like therefore, on the other hand, for example, because, then, and afterwards can be good transition tools at the sentence and paragraph level. When using these signals, be conscious of the real meaning of these terms; they should reflect the actual relationship between ideas.

Review Words

Review words are transition tools that link groups of sentences or whole paragraphs. They condense preceding discussion into a brief word or phrase. For example: You’ve just completed a detailed discussion about the greenhouse effect. To transition to the next topic, you could use review words like “this heat-trapping process” to refer back to the green house effect discussion. The relative ability to determine a cogent set of review words might signal your own understanding of your work; think of review words as super-short summaries of key ideas.

Preview words

Preview words condense an upcoming discussion into a brief word or phrase. For example: You’ve just explained how heat is trapped in the earth’s atmosphere. Transitioning to the theory that humans are adding to that effect, you could use preview words like “sources of additional CO2 in the atmosphere include” to point forward to that discussion.

Transition Sentences

The strongest and most sophisticated tools, transition sentences indicate the connection between the preceding and upcoming pieces of your argument. They often contain one or more of the above transition tools. For example: You’ve just discussed how much CO2 humans have added to the atmosphere. You need to transition to a discussion of the effects. A strong set of transition sentences between the two sections might sound like this:

“These large amounts of CO2 added to the atmosphere may lead to a number of disastrous consequences for residents of planet earth. The rise in global temperature that accompanies the extra CO2 can yield effects as varied as glacial melting and species extinction.”

In the first sentence, the review words are “These large amounts of CO2 added to the atmosphere”; the preview words are “number of disastrous consequences”; the transition signals are “may lead to.” The topic sentence of the next paragraph indicates the specific “disastrous consequences” you will discuss.

If you don’t see a way to write a logical, effective transition between sentences, ideas or paragraphs, this might indicate organizational problems in your essay; you might consider revising your work.

Some material adapted from Cal Poly Pomona College Reading Skills Program  and “ Power Tools for Technical Communication .”

Last revised: 07/2008 | Adapted for web delivery: 05/2021

In order to access certain content on this page, you may need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader or an equivalent PDF viewer software.

The Power of Transition Words: How they connect and clarify your academic writing

Academic writing demands clear communication of ideas to facilitate the exchange of knowledge, and to ensure that information is conveyed accurately and comprehensively. It serves as a vehicle for critical thinking, analysis, and synthesis, allowing scholars to contribute meaningfully to their fields of study. By employing suitable analogies and metaphors, writers can better understand the significance of their craft and strive to hone their skills in order to contribute meaningfully to the academic community. Let’s understand how we can achieve excellence in academic writing by using transition words.

What Are Transition Words?

Transition words are words or phrases that help establish connections between sentences, paragraphs, or ideas in a piece of writing. They act as bridges, guiding readers through the logical flow of information and signalling relationships between different parts of the text. Furthermore, they provide coherence and cohesion to your writing by clarifying the relationships between ideas, adding structure, and improving the overall readability.

Download this FREE infographic and make appropriate use of every transition word to enhance your academic writing.

Role of Transition Words in Effective Academic Writing

Transition words play a crucial role in enhancing clarity and coherence in academic writing. They act as linguistic signposts that guide readers through the text, helping them understand the relationships between ideas, and ensuring a smooth flow of information. The primary roles of these words in enhancing clarity and coherence can be summarized as follows:

A. Improving Readability and Comprehension

By facilitating smooth transitions and organizing information effectively, these words enhance the readability and comprehension of academic writing. They help readers navigate through complex texts, understand complex ideas, and follow the structure of the argument. Transition words facilitate reader navigation and comprehension, enhancing the reading experience with increased engagement and accessibility.

B. Organizing Thoughts and Paragraphs

Transition words assist in organizing thoughts and structuring the content of an academic paper. They provide a framework for presenting ideas in a coherent and systematic manner. By indicating sequence, order, or cause and effect relationships, these words help writers create a logical flow that guides readers smoothly from one point to the next. They enable the construction of well-organized paragraphs and facilitate the development of cohesive arguments.

C. Clarifying and Emphasizing

Transition words contribute to the clarity and precision of academic writing. They help define terms, rephrase or restate ideas, and provide necessary explanations. Additionally, they aid in emphasizing key points and drawing attention to important information. By strategically utilizing these words, writers can guarantee clear understanding of their ideas and effective conveyance of the intended message to the reader.

D. Coherence and Cohesion

Transition words are instrumental in creating coherence and cohesion within an academic paper. Coherence refers to the logical and smooth progression of ideas, while cohesion refers to the interconnectedness and unity of the text. They act as cohesive devices, linking sentences and paragraphs together and establishing a cohesive flow of information. They strengthen the logical connections between ideas, prevent abrupt shifts, and enable readers to follow the writer’s argument effortlessly.

E. Connecting Ideas

Transition words bridge the gap between sentences, paragraphs, and sections of an academic paper. They establish logical connections, indicating how ideas are related and allowing readers to follow the author’s train of thought. Whether showing addition, similarity, contrast, or example, these words help readers navigate between concepts and comprehend the overall message more effectively.

Types of Transition Words in Academic Writing

The types of transition words vary based on the situations where you can use them to enhance the effectiveness of your academic writing.

1. Addition

“Addition” transition words are used to introduce additional information or ideas that support or supplement the main point being discussed. They serve to expand upon the topic, provide further evidence, or present examples that strengthen your claims.

Examples of Addition Transition Words: 

• Furthermore, the study not only analyzed the effects of X but also examined the impact of Y.
• Moreover, the results not only confirmed the initial hypothesis but also revealed additional insights.
• Additionally, previous research has shown consistent findings, strengthening the validity of our study.

2. Comparison and Contrast

“Comparison and Contrast” transition words are used in academic writing when you want to highlight similarities, differences, or relationships between different concepts, ideas, or findings. They help to establish clear connections and facilitate the comparison and contrast of various elements within your research.

Examples of Comparison and Contrast Transition Words:

• Similarly, other researchers have reported comparable findings, corroborating the generalizability of our results.
• In contrast, previous studies have demonstrated consistent patterns, reinforcing the existing body of knowledge.
• In comparison, the current study offers a unique perspective by examining the relationship from a different angle.

3. Cause and Effect

“Cause and Effect” transition words are used when you want to demonstrate the relationship between a cause and its resulting effect or consequence. They help to clarify the cause-and-effect relationship, allowing readers to understand the connections between different variables, events, or phenomena.

Examples of Cause and Effect Transition Words:

• As a result, the data provides compelling evidence for a causal relationship between X and Y.
• Consequently, the hypothesis can be supported by the observed patterns in the collected data.
• Hence, the proposed model is validated, given the consistent and statistically significant results.

4. Example and Illustration

“Example and Illustration” transition words are used when you want to provide specific instances, evidence, or illustrations to support and clarify your main points or arguments. These words help to make your ideas more tangible and concrete by presenting real-life examples or specific cases.

Examples of “Example and Illustration” Transition Words:

• For example, one study conducted by Jackson et al. (2018) demonstrated a similar phenomenon in a different context.
• To illustrate this point, consider the case of Company X, which experienced similar challenges in implementing the proposed strategy.
• In particular, the data highlights the importance of considering demographic factors, such as age and gender, in the analysis.

5. Sequence and Chronology

“Sequence and Chronology” transition words are used in academic research papers when you want to indicate the order, progression, or sequence of events, ideas, or processes. These words help to organize information in a logical and coherent manner, ensuring that readers can follow the chronological flow of your research.

Examples of “Sequence and Chronology” Transition Words:

• First and foremost, the study aims to examine the long-term effects of intervention X on outcome Y.
• Subsequently, the participants were randomly assigned to either the control or experimental group.
• Finally, the data analysis revealed significant temporal trends that require further investigation.

6. Clarification and Restatement

“Clarification and Restatement” transition words are used in academic writing when you want to provide further explanation, clarify a point, or restate an idea in a different way. These words ensure that readers understand your arguments and ideas clearly, avoiding any ambiguity or confusion.

Examples of “Clarification and Restatement” Transition Words:

• In other words, the phenomenon can be explained by the interplay of various psychological and environmental factors.
• Specifically, the term “efficiency” refers to the ability to achieve maximum output with minimum resource utilization.
• To clarify, the concept of “sustainability” encompasses the ecological, economic, and social dimensions of development.

7. Emphasis

“Emphasis” transition words are used when you want to place special emphasis on certain points, ideas, or findings. These words help to draw attention to key information, highlight the significance of particular aspects, or underscore the importance of your arguments.

Examples of Emphasis Transition Words:

• Notably, this study addresses a significant gap in the existing literature.
• Importantly, the findings have implications for future policy decisions.
• In particular, the study examined the relationship between age and cognitive performance.

8. Summary and Conclusion

“Summary and Conclusion” transition words are employed in academic writing when you want to provide a concise summary of the main points discussed in your paper and draw a conclusion based on the findings or arguments presented. These help to signal the end of your paper and provide closure to your research.

Examples of “Summary and Conclusion” Transition Words

• In conclusion, the findings unequivocally support the initial hypothesis, emphasizing the significance of the proposed theory.
• Overall, the results indicate a consistent pattern, providing a foundation for future research in this area.
• In summary, this research makes a valuable contribution to the existing literature by extending our understanding of the topic.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Transition Words in Academic Writing

When using transition words in academic writing, it’s important to be mindful of common mistakes to ensure that your writing remains clear, cohesive, and effective.

1. Overusing Transition Words

Using too many transition words can make your writing appear cluttered and disrupt the flow of your ideas. Avoid overloading your sentences or paragraphs with excessive transitions. Instead, use them strategically to enhance clarity and coherence.

2. Using Inappropriate or Irrelevant Transitions

Choose transition words that are appropriate for the context and purpose of your writing. Avoid using them when they don’t align with the relationship between the ideas you are connecting. Ensure that the transitions you use are relevant and contribute to the overall coherence of your writing.

3. Neglecting Proofreading and Editing

As with any aspect of writing, proofreading and editing are crucial when using transition words. Carefully review your writing to ensure that you use transitions correctly and effectively. Look for any inconsistencies, redundancies, or errors in your use of transitions and make necessary revisions.

4. Failing to Understand the Meaning

It’s important to understand the precise meaning and usage of transition words before incorporating them into your writing. Using a transition word incorrectly or inappropriately can lead to confusion or misinterpretation. Therefore, it is important to consult reliable resources or style guides to familiarize yourself with the correct usage of each of these words.

5. Neglecting the Logical Flow

Transition words should help guide the reader through your writing and create a logical flow of ideas. Failing to use appropriate transitions can result in a disjointed or fragmented presentation. Ensure that your transitions establish clear connections and maintain the coherence of your writing.

6. Relying Only on Transition Words

While transition words are valuable tools, they should not replace effective writing and organization. Relying solely on transitions to connect your ideas can lead to weak or poorly structured writing. Focus on developing strong topic sentences, clear paragraph organization, and logical progression of ideas alongside the use of these words.

7. Ignoring Sentence Variety

Use transition words to enhance the variety and sophistication of your sentence structures. Avoid using the same words repeatedly, as this can make your writing monotonous. Instead, explore different transitions that convey the specific relationships between your ideas.

In essence, the strategic use of transition words is a powerful tool that connects and clarifies your academic writing. Furthermore, it elevates your work from a mere collection of ideas to a cohesive, well-structured, and thought-provoking piece of scholarship. By mastering the art of using these words effectively, you can enhance the impact of your academic writing and contribute meaningfully to your field of study.

What are your thoughts on other grammar nuances that can make academic writing more effective? Share your opinion in the comments below or write an article on our Open Platform !

Rate this article Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Enago Academy's Most Popular Articles

• AI in Academia
• Trending Now

Simplifying the Literature Review Journey — A comparative analysis of 6 AI summarization tools

Imagine having to skim through and read mountains of research papers and books, only to…

• Publishing Research
• Reporting Research

How to Optimize Your Research Process: A step-by-step guide

For researchers across disciplines, the path to uncovering novel findings and insights is often filled…

• Promoting Research

Plain Language Summary — Communicating your research to bridge the academic-lay gap

Science can be complex, but does that mean it should not be accessible to the…

Research Recommendations – Guiding policy-makers for evidence-based decision making

Research recommendations play a crucial role in guiding scholars and researchers toward fruitful avenues of…

Concept Papers in Research: Deciphering the blueprint of brilliance

Concept papers hold significant importance as a precursor to a full-fledged research proposal in academia…

Simplifying the Literature Review Journey — A comparative analysis of 6 AI…

8 Effective Strategies to Write Argumentative Essays

Sign-up to read more

Subscribe for free to get unrestricted access to all our resources on research writing and academic publishing including:

• 2000+ blog articles
• 50+ Webinars
• 10+ Expert podcasts
• 50+ Infographics
• 10+ Checklists
• Research Guides

We hate spam too. We promise to protect your privacy and never spam you.

I am looking for Editing/ Proofreading services for my manuscript Tentative date of next journal submission:

What should universities' stance be on AI tools in research and academic writing?

Have a thesis expert improve your writing

Check your thesis for plagiarism in 10 minutes, generate your apa citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• Sentence structure
• Transition Words & Phrases | List & Examples

Transition Words & Phrases | List & Examples

Published on 20 October 2022 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on 15 March 2023.

Transition words and phrases (also called linking words, connecting words, or transitional words) are used to link together different ideas in your text. They help the reader to follow your arguments by expressing the relationships between different sentences or parts of a sentence.

The proposed solution to the problem did not work. Therefore , we attempted a second solution. However , this solution was also unsuccessful.

For clear writing, it’s essential to understand the meaning of transition words and use them correctly.

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Be assured that you'll submit flawless writing. Upload your document to correct all your mistakes.

Table of contents

When and how to use transition words, types and examples of transition words, common mistakes with transition words.

Transition words commonly appear at the start of a new sentence or clause (followed by a comma ), serving to express how this clause relates to the previous one.

Transition words can also appear in the middle of a clause. It’s important to place them correctly to convey the meaning you intend.

Example text with and without transition words

The text below describes all the events it needs to, but it does not use any transition words to connect them. Because of this, it’s not clear exactly how these different events are related or what point the author is making by telling us about them.

If we add some transition words at appropriate moments, the text reads more smoothly and the relationship among the events described becomes clearer.

Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. Consequently , France and the United Kingdom declared war on Germany. The Soviet Union initially worked with Germany in order to partition Poland. However , Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941.

Don’t overuse transition words

While transition words are essential to clear writing, it’s possible to use too many of them. Consider the following example, in which the overuse of linking words slows down the text and makes it feel repetitive.

In this case the best way to fix the problem is to simplify the text so that fewer linking words are needed.

The key to using transition words effectively is striking the right balance. It is difficult to follow the logic of a text with no transition words, but a text where every sentence begins with a transition word can feel over-explained.

The only proofreading tool specialized in correcting academic writing

The academic proofreading tool has been trained on 1000s of academic texts and by native English editors. Making it the most accurate and reliable proofreading tool for students.

Correct my document today

There are four main types of transition word: additive, adversative, causal, and sequential. Within each category, words are divided into several more specific functions.

Remember that transition words with similar meanings are not necessarily interchangeable. It’s important to understand the meaning of all the transition words you use. If unsure, consult a dictionary to find the precise definition.

Additive transition words

Additive transition words introduce new information or examples. They can be used to expand upon, compare with, or clarify the preceding text.

Adversative transition words

Adversative transition words always signal a contrast of some kind. They can be used to introduce information that disagrees or contrasts with the preceding text.

Causal transition words

Causal transition words are used to describe cause and effect. They can be used to express purpose, consequence, and condition.

Sequential transition words

Sequential transition words indicate a sequence, whether it’s the order in which events occurred chronologically or the order you’re presenting them in your text. They can be used for signposting in academic texts.

Transition words are often used incorrectly. Make sure you understand the proper usage of transition words and phrases, and remember that words with similar meanings don’t necessarily work the same way grammatically.

Misused transition words can make your writing unclear or illogical. Your audience will be easily lost if you misrepresent the connections between your sentences and ideas.

Confused use of therefore

“Therefore” and similar cause-and-effect words are used to state that something is the result of, or follows logically from, the previous. Make sure not to use these words in a way that implies illogical connections.

• We asked participants to rate their satisfaction with their work from 1 to 10. Therefore , the average satisfaction among participants was 7.5.

The use of “therefore” in this example is illogical: it suggests that the result of 7.5 follows logically from the question being asked, when in fact many other results were possible. To fix this, we simply remove the word “therefore.”

• We asked participants to rate their satisfaction with their work from 1 to 10. The average satisfaction among participants was 7.5.

Starting a sentence with also , and , or so

While the words “also,” “and,” and “so” are used in academic writing, they are considered too informal when used at the start of a sentence.

• Also , a second round of testing was carried out.

To fix this issue, we can either move the transition word to a different point in the sentence or use a more formal alternative.

• A second round of testing was also carried out.
• Additionally , a second round of testing was carried out.

Transition words creating sentence fragments

Words like “although” and “because” are called subordinating conjunctions . This means that they introduce clauses which cannot stand on their own. A clause introduced by one of these words should always follow or be followed by another clause in the same sentence.

The second sentence in this example is a fragment, because it consists only of the “although” clause.

• Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed. Although other researchers disagree.

We can fix this in two different ways. One option is to combine the two sentences into one using a comma. The other option is to use a different transition word that does not create this problem, like “however.”

• Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed, although other researchers disagree.
• Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed. However , other researchers disagree.

And vs. as well as

Students often use the phrase “ as well as ” in place of “and,” but its usage is slightly different. Using “and” suggests that the things you’re listing are of equal importance, while “as well as” introduces additional information that is less important.

• Chapter 1 discusses some background information on Woolf, as well as presenting my analysis of To the Lighthouse .

In this example, the analysis is more important than the background information. To fix this mistake, we can use “and,” or we can change the order of the sentence so that the most important information comes first. Note that we add a comma before ‘as well as’ but not before ‘and’.

• Chapter 1 discusses some background information on Woolf and presents my analysis of To the Lighthouse .
• Chapter 1 presents my analysis of To the Lighthouse , as well as discussing some background information on Woolf.

Note that in fixed phrases like “both x and y ,” you must use “and,” not “as well as.”

• Both my results as well as my interpretations are presented below.
• Both my results and my interpretations are presented below.

Use of and/or

The combination of transition words “and/or” should generally be avoided in academic writing. It makes your text look messy and is usually unnecessary to your meaning.

First consider whether you really do mean “and/or” and not just “and” or “or.” If you are certain that you need both, it’s best to separate them to make your meaning as clear as possible.

• Participants were asked whether they used the bus and/or the train.
• Participants were asked whether they used the bus, the train, or both.

Archaic transition words

Words like “hereby,” “therewith,” and most others formed by the combination of “here,” “there,” or “where” with a preposition are typically avoided in modern academic writing. Using them makes your writing feel old-fashioned and strained and can sometimes obscure your meaning.

• Poverty is best understood as a disease. Hereby , we not only see that it is hereditary, but acknowledge its devastating effects on a person’s health.

These words should usually be replaced with a more explicit phrasing expressing how the current statement relates to the preceding one.

• Poverty is best understood as a disease. Understanding it as such , we not only see that it is hereditary, but also acknowledge its devastating effects on a person’s health.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the ‘Cite this Scribbr article’ button to automatically add the citation to our free Reference Generator.

Caulfield, J. (2023, March 15). Transition Words & Phrases | List & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved 8 April 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/academic-style/transition-words-examples/

Is this article helpful?

Jack Caulfield

Other students also liked, using conjunctions | definition, rules & examples, adverbial phrases (& clauses) | definition & examples, phrasal verbs | list, definition, examples & tips.

The Federal Register

The daily journal of the united states government, request access.

Due to aggressive automated scraping of FederalRegister.gov and eCFR.gov, programmatic access to these sites is limited to access to our extensive developer APIs.

If you are human user receiving this message, we can add your IP address to a set of IPs that can access FederalRegister.gov & eCFR.gov; complete the CAPTCHA (bot test) below and click "Request Access". This process will be necessary for each IP address you wish to access the site from, requests are valid for approximately one quarter (three months) after which the process may need to be repeated.

An official website of the United States government.

If you want to request a wider IP range, first request access for your current IP, and then use the "Site Feedback" button found in the lower left-hand side to make the request.