Transitional Words and Phrases

To indicate time:

after / afterwards

after awhile

afterward

as long as

as often as

as soon as

at length

at that time

at this point in time

 before

currently

during

 finally

formerly

frequently / infrequently

immediately

 in a while

in the interim / meantime

in the same period

 infrequently

initially

later / later on

meanwhile

never

now / right now

presently

previously

prior to

recently

seldom

shortly

since

soon / soon after

subsequently

then

thereafter

 until

when / whenever

 while

To show place:

adjacent to

 at first

at the beginning

 beyond

finally

first, second, third

here

in relation to

 in the end

 nearby

neighbouring

on the opposite side

 on the same side

opposite to

 over

 under

  where

To introduce a different idea

a different

a new

also

an added

an additional / additionally

an extra

and then

another

as well as

besides

equally important

finally

further

furthermore

in addition

likewise

moreover

one can also say

one more

what's more

To contrast:

a different view is

a variation

balanced against

contrasting views

conversely

differing from

discrepancy

disparity

dissimilarity

distinction

however

in contrast

on the contrary

on the other hand

unlike

 

To show subtraction:

after all

against

 almost

although

although this may be true

 at the same time

barely

but

by groups

different from

 either ... or

even though

 for all that

 hardly

however

however

 in contrast to

individually

instead / instead of

it is true

just

less than

 neither ... nor

nevertheless

not

notwithstanding

 on the contrary

 on the other hand

or

 other

 other than

 otherwise

 practically

separately

still

with the exception

 yet / and yet

To show result:

a number of

accordingly

 as a result

as determined by

 because of

completely

consequently

 hence

in part

 partially

 satisfactorily

so that

  then

thereby

 therefore

thereupon

thus

To give an example:

case in point

for example

for instance

in this case / way

lay bare

living proof

on this occasion

take the case of

this can be seen

to demonstrate

to display

to illustrate

to reveal

to show

when

where

To compare:

alike

as seen/shown/discussed

balanced against

both

by comparison

equally

evaluate

in a different sense / way

like / likewise

match

one and the same

put side by side

same / in the same way

similar to / similarly

weigh against

whereas

To summarise or conclude:

accordingly

and so

as a result

as shown

consequently

finally

for this / that reason

hence

in brief / short

in conclusion

in other words

in summary

in view of that

on the whole

summing up

therefore

thus

to conclude

to summarise / sum up

ultimately

 

 

To show coincidence:

at the same time / place

 during

equally important

in the meantime

in the period / in the same period

incidentally

meanwhile

show purpose:

another reason

 because

for / for this purpose  

in order that 

in response to

 so that

to this end

 with this object

To show frequency

a percentage

all

alternately

 always

 commonly

constantly

each / every few / fewer

frequently

infrequently

 many

more/ most /never/ often

one or two

 only

rarely

several

some

throughout

usually

To indicate sequence:

after / after that

and / and then

at this point / at this time

before

concurrently

finally

first of all

firstly, secondly, thirdly

followed by

last / lastly

meanwhile

next

previously

simultaneously

subsequently

the first I second I third reason

To introduce an opposite idea:

an alternative

but

conversely

despite

even though

however

in contrast

nevertheless

nonetheless

nor can you ignore

on the other hand

one could also say/add

still

then again

though

where

whereas

while

yet

To show emphasis:

according to

as much as possible

essentially

extremely

ideally

in any event

in fact

in reality

indeed

must

officially

practically

primarily

significantly

technically

that is

theoretically

to be sure / certain

undoubtedly