Transition (linguistics)

A transition or linking word is a word or phrase that shows the relationship between paragraphs or sections of a text or speech. Transitions provide greater cohesion by making it more explicit or signaling how ideas relate to one another. Transitions are, in fact, "bridges" that "carry a reader from section to section". Transitions guide a reader/listener through steps of logic, increments of time, or through physical space. Transitions "connect words and ideas so that [...] readers don't have to do the mental work for [themselves]."

Transitions reveal the internal structure of an author's reasoning. While they are used primarily for rhetoric, they are also used in a strictly grammatical sense for structural composition, reasoning, and comprehension. Indeed, they are an essential part of any language.

In simple terms, a transition word demonstrates the relationship between two portions of a text or spoken language. By using these words, people can better build a sentence and convey what they are trying to say in a more concise manner.

Categories

Transition words and phrases categories include: Conclusion, Continuation, Contrast, Emphasis, Evidence, Illustration and Sequence. Each category serves its own function, as do the keywords inside of a given category.

Type	Signals	Examples
Conclusion or Causality	a summation of information	therefore; thus; in conclusion; believes; so; consequently; it can be seen that; can conclude that; claims that; all in all;
Continuation	more support for the same claim is coming up	and; also; moreover; furthermore; plus; in addition; at the same time; as well as; equally;besides; what is more; both...and; equally important; not only...but also
Contrast	a comparison of similarities and differences	but; despite; yet; however; alternatively; still; although; unless; otherwise; not; though; while; nevertheless; by contrast; notwithstanding; rather; conversely; in spite of; on the other hand; contrarily
Emphasis	what is considered important	I think; above all; essentially; clearly; most of all; especially; primarily; particularly; in large measure; indeed;
Evidence	an upcoming background	because; for; since; the reason is that;
Illustration/Exemplification	an example is being given as support for a claim.	for example; for instance; specifically; to illustrate; such as; In the words of; To "name"; For "name"; According to "name"; as "name" says,;
Sequence	there is a structure or order that has been formulated in the writing	Firstly,...,Secondly,...Thirdly,...Lastly; Next; Finally; On the one hand; Recently;

Coordinating transitions

Elements in a coordinate relationship are equal in rank, quality, or significance. They help to show a link between equal elements.

• To show similarity or reinforce: also, and, as well as, by the same token, comparatively, correspondingly, coupled with, equally, equally important, furthermore, identically, in the light of, in the same fashion/way, likewise, moreover, not only... but also, not to mention, similarly, to say nothing of, together with, too, uniquely
• To introduce an opposing point: besides, but, however, in contrast, neither, nevertheless, nor, on the contrary, on the other hand, still, yet
• To signal a restatement: in other words, in simpler terms, indeed, that is, to put it differently

Subordinating transitions

• To introduce an item in a series: finally, first, for another, for one thing, in addition, in the first place, in the second place, last, next, second, then
• To introduce an example: for example, for instance, in particular, namely, specifically, that is
• To show causality: accordingly, as a result, because, consequently, for, hence, since, so, then, therefore, thus
• To introduce a summary or conclusion: actually, all in all, altogether, clearly, evidently, finally, in conclusion, of course, to sum up
• To signal a concession: certainly, granted, it is true, naturally, of course, to be sure
• To resume main argument after a concession: all the same, even though, nevertheless, nonetheless, still

Temporal transitions

• To show frequency: again and again, day after day, every so often, frequently, hourly, now and then, occasionally, often
• To show duration: briefly, during, for a long time, minute by minute, while
• To show a particular time: at six o'clock, at that time, first thing in the morning, in 1999, in the beginning of August, in those days, last Sunday, next Christmas, now, then, two months ago, when
• To introduce a beginning: at first, before then, in the beginning, since
• To introduce a middle: as it was happening, at that moment, at the same time, in the meantime, meanwhile, next, simultaneously, then
• To signal an end (or beyond): afterward/afterwards, at last, eventually, finally, in the end, later

Spatial transitions

• To show closeness: adjacent to, alongside, close to, facing, near, next to, side by side
• To show long distance: away, beyond, far, in the distance, there
• To show direction: above, across, along, away from, behind, below, down, in front of, inside, outside, sideways, to the left, to the right, toward/towards, up

Transition words of agreement, addition, or similarity

The transition words, such as also, in addition, and likewise, add information, reinforce ideas, and express agreement with preceding material.

• additionally
• again
• also
• and
• as
• as a matter of fact
• as well as
• by the same token
• comparatively
• correspondingly
• coupled with
• equally
• equally important
• first
• furthermore
• identically
• in addition
• in like manner
• in the first place
• in the light of
• in the same fashion/way
• like
• likewise
• moreover
• not only ... but also
• not to mention
• of course
• second
• similarly
• then
• third
• to
• to say nothing of
• together with
• too
• uniquely
• what's more

See also

• Conjunction
• Level of measurement
• Concept map

References

• Rappaport, Bret (2010). "Using the Elements of Rhythm, Flow, and Tone to Create a More Effective and Persuasive Acoustic Experience in Legal Writing" (PDF). The Journal of the Legal Writing Institute. 16 (1). The Legal Writing Institute: 65–116. Retrieved 30 March 2013.

• Garner, Bryan A. (2002). The Elements of Legal Style (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 65. ISBN 0195141628.

• LeClercq, Terri (2007). Guide to Legal Writing Style (4th ed.). Aspen Publishers. p. 15. ISBN 9780735568372.

• "Coordinate". Merriam Webster. Archived from the original on 9 March 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2013.

• Erika Lindemann (2001). A Rhetoric for Writing Teachers (4th ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. p. 146. ISBN 0-19-513045-6.

• Ryan Weber, Karl Stolley. "Transitions and Transitional Devices". Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL). West Lafayette, Indiana: Purdue University. Retrieved 30 March 2013.

• Taraba, Joanna. "Transitional Words and Phrases". University of Richmond Writing Center. Richmond, Virginia: University of Richmond. Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2013.

• "Transition Words". Smart Words. Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2013.

• "The Writer's Handbook: Transitional Words and Phrases". University of Wisconsin Writing Center. Madison, Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin-Madison. 2012. Archived from the original on 6 March 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2013.

• "Writer's Web: Transitional Words and Phrases". University of Richmond Writing Center & WAC Program. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
• Large, And (2024-02-15). "Writing and Communication Centre". University of Waterloo. Retrieved 2024-04-15.