Transitions & Linking Words

[Antara11]

Transitions and linking words perform an important function in writing. They signal to the reader the direction the writer is taking. They do this by connecting or linking ideas within a paragraph and providing a bridge between paragraphs. Remember to proofread the writing assignment to make sure transitions are used effectively.

To show addition:

Additionally      
again      
also   
and   
another      
besides      
finally
first, second, etc.   
further      
furthermore   
incidentally   
lastly      
likewise
moreover      
next      
nor      
too      
along with   
as well
equally important   
for example   
for instance   
in addition   
what’s more

[Antara11]

To show time:

About      
after      
afterward      
at      
before      
currently
During      
eventually   
finally         
first, etc.   
following   
formerly
Immediately   
later      
meanwhile      
next      
next week   
previously
Soon      
subsequently   
then         
thereafter   
till      
today, etc.
Until      
when      
after a few hours   
as soon as   
in the future   
soon after

[Antara11]

To show location:

Above      
across      
against      
along      
among      
around      
behind      
below      
beneath   
beside
Between   
beyond      
by      
down      
inside      
into   
Here      
near      
nearby      
off      
onto      
outside   
Over      
there      
throughout   
under      
away from   
at the side
in the back   
in back of   
in the background,      
in the distance   
in the front
in the foreground      
on top of   
to the right

[Antara11]

To show comparison:

Also      
as      
like      
likewise   
meanwhile   
similarly
Simultaneously      
after all   
at the same time      
by and large
in comparison         
in the same way      
in the same manner
in the same way

To show contrast:

Although      
but      
conversely      
however      
nevertheless
Nonetheless      
notwithstanding         
otherwise      
still
True         
yet      
although this is   
and yet         
even though
for all that      
in contrast   
on the contrary   
on the other hand   
while this is true

[Antara11]

To emphasize a point:

Again      
obviously      
truly      
undoubtedly      
as a matter of
Fact      
for this reason      
in fact      
to emphasize      
to repeat

[Antara11]

To clarify:

for instance       
in other words    
put another way       
that is

To give examples:

Namely      
specifically      
as an illustration   
for example   
for instance
to demonstrate      
to illustrate

To introduce as a result:

Accordingly   
consequently   
so   
therefore   
thus   
as a result   
due to this

[Antara11]

To introduce conclusions:

Accordingly   
consequently      
finally      
hence         
so   
therefore
Thus      
as a result      
in brief      
in conclusion      
in short
in summary   
on the whole      
to conclude

[Antara11]

To summarize:

Finally      
by and large      
in brief      
in conclusion      
in summary
on the whole   
summing up      
to conclude