Transitions are extremely important when writing in English. Transitions are words and phrases that connect ideas between separate sentences. They are used to introduce new ideas, change ideas, add to ideas and make connections between ideas. Transitions help essays and paragraphs have structure.
Showing Additional Ideas
The transition words commonly used to show new ideas are:
| Transition Examples | Meaning | Example Sentences |
| In addition, ... Also, ... Additionally, ... |
These transitions add more information to a previous sentence. | Dolphins are extremely intelligent animals. In addition, they have complicated communication abilities. |
| Moreover, ... Furthermore, ... |
These transitions follow another addition. They sound more formal and are not used in informal language. | Dolphins are extremely intelligent animals and have strong communication skills. Moreover, they are able to communicate even with humans. |
| For example, ... For instance, ... |
These transitions give specific examples from the previous sentence. | Dolphins are extremely intelligent animals. For example, they are able to learn from humans very easily. |
| In fact, ... As a matter of fact, ... |
These transitions add more detailed information to support the previous sentence. | Dolphins are extremely intelligent animals. In fact, they are one of the most intelligent animals on the planet. |
Notice that all transitions are followed by commas.
Showing Similar Ideas
These transitions show similarlities between two ideas and points.
| Transition Examples | Meaning | Example Sentences |
| Similarly, ... | This introduces a new idea that is similar to the previous idea. | Dolphins are extremely intelligent animals. Similarly, chimpanzees are also very intelligent. |
| Likewise, ... | This indicates that there is a strong similarity with the previous idea, and that there is perhaps a parallel. | Dolphins live in large groups. Likewise, whales also spend their times in large pods. |
| Similar to ..., Like ..., |
These are used very similarly to 'similarly' and 'likewise,' but before the comma you must first repeat the noun from the first sentence. | Dolphins are extremely intelligent animals. Like dolphins, chimpanzees also possess great intelligence. |
Showing Contrast
These transition words are used to show that two ideas are different.
| Transition Examples | Meaning | Example Sentences |
| However, ... | This transition is used to add information that contrasts the previous sentence. | Dolphins are extremely intelligent animals. However, they are not as intelligent as some apes. |
| In contrast, ... By contrast, ... On the other hand, ... |
These transitions show a more direct opposition and differences between the ideas in the two sentences, | Dolphins are extremely intelligent animals. By contrast, goldfish are not nearly as intelligent. |
| On the contrary, ... Actually, ... |
These are used to introduce an idea that contrasts what is commonly expected or thought. | Many people think that rats are unintelligent animals. On the contrary, rats are as intelligent as dolphins. |
| Despite this, ... Even so, ... Nonetheless, ... |
These are used to add a concession that contrasts the previous sentence. | Rats are extremely intelligent animals. Despite this, they are often considered to be unintelligent vermin. |
Showing a Result
These transitions show that a new sentence is a result of a previous sentence.
| Transition Examples | Meaning | Example Sentences |
| As a result, ... Because of this, ... Consequently, ... Therefore, ... |
These add information that show the result or outcome. The information in the previous sentence shows the cause. | Dolphins are extremely intelligent animals. Because of this, they are easy to train and teach. |
Exercise
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