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
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