Transition words are a grammatical concept that everyone who writes in English must know. They are pretty simple to understand once you get the hang of it. Such words and phrases help connect sentences, ideas, and other words in a way that seems meaningful to the readers. Typically, they aid the writer to advance in their thoughts.
While all transition words have different usage and meanings, but mostly it is what builds the relationship between the paragraphs, sentences, and the other ideas that dominate a text. It is what every writer needs to develop their ideas, and so, we need to know which words to use and how.
Let us take a look a 10 transition words to add flow to your sentences.
Transition Words/phrases and their Use
1. Nevertheless
The transition word nevertheless comes in best use to express a concession. One should make use of it when they want to dismiss one particular idea, and yet want to go one with the next. It is more like saying, “in spite of.” Here is an example of the same- Statements which, although literally true, are nevertheless misleading.
2. Conversely
Conversely is one of the perfect words to express conflict in an idea. It reverses the previous idea expressed in the sentence, and therefore makes the next idea flow, even though a conflicting idea. The word makes the scope to introduce an entirely new statement altogether. For example, “We’re not going to have enough onions to last the year, while courgettes, conversely, are in a major surplus.”
3. Furthermore
When a writer presents a particular idea, there would be a lot of supplemented ideas to it. Furthermore is amongst the most formal transition words that denote an addition to the existing data. It is also an excellent replacement for the word “besides.” Take a look at this example. “It was also a highly desirable political end. Furthermore, it gave the English a door into France.”
4. Considering this
Using “considering this” takes all the mentioned points into account. It is more like a reference, After placing all the important points, this transition phrase allows one to cite examples or give further references based on them. An example will clear up just how useful it is. “Considering Alexa’s response, Simone had to cancel the surprise party.”
5. By the same Token
By the same token represents a similarity between two ideas. When one sentence or concept connects with the next, this transition phrase helps flow into it. Instead of saying “similarly”, one should alter it with other such phrases to allow some novelty in the writing. “There was little evidence to substantiate the gossip and, by the same token, there was little to disprove it”.
6. In the event that
When you want to apply a condition in your writing before you present your idea to the reader, this transitional phrase works best. It enunciates that only in case of x, y is possible. Other options that people commonly use include as long as, provided that, and in case. In this example, “he planned to start a business, in the event that he lost his job”, losing the job is the condition to start his business.
7. Subsequently
Anything you want to add to the existing content can begin with the transition word “subsequently”. More than representing an addition in the text, it more or less represents a continuation in the text. Eventually and afterwards also fall into the same category of continuing words that help connect ideas. “The officer decided to stop and subsequently made an arrest”. The example sentence demonstrates that making the arrest was a subsequent action after deciding to stop.
8. Incidently
Probably you have exhausted all that you wanted to state under that particular point, but aren’t entirely done yet. “Incidently” helps flow into the next idea or paragraph with ease. Use it when you want to take one’s attention off one idea, and digress it onto another. You could also use the phrase “by the way.”
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9. To put it in another way
“To put in another way” is yet another transition phrase that comes in handy when you want to express more clarity about the same point/idea. “The new cat treat has a 90-plus palatability level. To put it in another way, cats like it.” It is an excellent substitute for the phrase “in other words.”
10. Altogether
One of the most common errors that people make while using this word among the transition words is that they split the words “all” and “together.” When using it in this format of sentence structure, it is one entire word denoting the result or a summary of the text. It is a way to summarize the whole write-up. “Of course, they did not serve a complete meal. But with the entertainment and hospitality, altogether, it was a great evening.”
If you wish for us to bring to you some more detailed lists on transition words and phrases, then you can let us know in the comment section below. The ones listed in this article is a small part of the deep ocean of this topic. Until then, try using these in your sentences, and analyze how it makes your writing more polished than before.
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