Transition Words

When writing and speaking, we often use transition words to connect ideas and sentences. The right transition word can make all of your ideas flow together logically.  The wrong transition word can completely change your meaning!

There are many transition words to choose from and many have similar meanings. One of the best ways to test out transition words is to find the simplest version of the word that you're testing.  So, if you read a sentence that says "thus" but you aren't sure if "thus" is the correct word, try substituting, the word "so," which means about the same thing.  Does "so" work?  If it does, then "thus" probably works too!

Do you know the following terms?

Basic meaning:AndButSoIn the same wayIn an opposite wayFor exampleIn summaryNext/Later
Definition:Both ideas go together.Ideas are opposite but both true.The first idea causes the second idea.The ideas are both the same (or similar).The ideas are different from each other.The second idea gives an example of the first.The second idea summarizes the first.These words show things happening at different times.
Similar transition words:AlsoHoweverThereforeSimilarlyIn contrastFor instanceIn broad termsSubsequently
 In additionNeverthelessThusLikewiseOn the other hand In other wordsFinally
 AdditionallyAlthoughConsequently Alternatively In sumEventually
 MoreoverEven thoughFor these reasons     
 Furthermore Hence     
 On top of that So that     
         

Most of these words can be used to link two parts of a single sentence or to link sentences or paragraphs together. To decide which transition word belongs in a sentence, you typically have to read the sentence (or two) before the transition word and then the sentence (or two) after the transition word. Transition words should not just "sound right" but should fit the ideas that the sentence or passage is putting together. 

How to answer these questions. 

  1. Read the sentences surrounding the transition word, skipping the transition word.
  2. While you are reading, try out the "Basic meaning" words above.  Which one sounds best (And, But, and So are the most common). 
  3. Look through the multiple choice (don't for get to look at the "NO CHANGE" word that is already in the passage) and find a synonym to the basic meaning that you decided upon.

Example 1:

We are working with an organization that is completely disorganized.  Likewise, we can't seem to get anything done or make any progress with the students.

 

  1. NO CHANGE
  2. Moreover
  3. Consequently
  4. On the other hand

If you read the sentence, skipping the underlined word, you will feel that the first part of the sentence is causing the second part of the sentence.  You'll want a word that means "so." Which word on the list means so? Consequently.

 

Example 2:

The pit bull rescue organization has done an amazing job fostering out all of the at-risk dogs in the Carson Shelter. Also, there are still dogs in danger at every other shelter in Los Angeles County.

 

  1. NO CHANGE
  2. Subsequently
  3. In addition
  4. Nevertheless

If you read the sentence, skipping the underlined word, you will feel that both parts of the sentence are true, but they disagree with each other.  You'll want a word that means "but" or "but still." You want nevertheless.

 

To practice these transition words, download the PDF below, study the words, and write your own sample sentences to practice using the words. 

Practice Problems:

  • Transition Words Practice

    Read the following sentences.  Correct any incorrect transition words, by crossing out the incorrect word and substituting a better one:

    1. Sunny works very hard. Therefore he's always tired in the evening. 
    2. Eva is an exceptional gymnast. Consequently, she is an exemplary student. 
    3. David ate some old chicken. Moreover, he doesn't feel very well now.
    4. As a child, Zora loved to do crafts and art projects. Subsequently, she attended art school. 
    5. Abraham ate all of his dinner, despite the fact that he wasn't very hungry.
    6. Joh really wants to explore some colleges.  In spite of the fact, she's going on a college trip. 
    7. Alejandro does all of his math work as soon as he gets home. Furthermore, he does extra studying to make sure to keep his grade high.
    8. Javier hates going to the library. In addition, he checks out books as quickly as he can and then leaves. 
    9. Eliezer wants to travel abroad during his second year in college.  Alternatively, he may just travel extensively over the summers. 
    10. Sara has studiously worked on her French for years. Moreover, she feels confident about her AP French scores. 

    Answer Key:

  • Transition Words

    Replace the underlined transition word with an appropriate transition word:

    1. Corn nuts have "nuts" in the title, moreover they contain no actual nuts. 
    2. Listening to an audiobook is a much different experience than reading.  Consequently, seeing a play performed is much different than reading it. 
    3. Many suicides occur in December.  It is a time of celebrations and joy, also for many it is a time of stress and sadness.
    4. Picasso is one of the famous Spanish painters.  Subsequently, he spend much of his adult life in Paris, France.
    5. Hillary Clinton has served as first lady, a senator, and secretery of state. However, she hopes to be elected president.
    6. Megan knows that she is adopted and she thinks of her adoptive mother as her only mother. 
    7. It is nearly impossible to observe a friends' success without at least a twinge of jealousy. Similarly, it's easy to emphathize when they feel sad.
    8. Emilson is one of the oldest students in our program, however he has some of the most challenging homework. 
    9. I have taken five advanced placement tests, futhermore I have learned more than I ever imagined possible. 
    10. Newspapers used to be the primary way in which Americans gained their political news.  Therefore, people now mostly turn to the Internet to stay informed. 

    Answer Key:

Test Prep Practice

  • Transition Words

    If the underlined transition words are not the best words for that location, choose the transition word that is the better fit. 

     

    Almost every city in the country has an animal shelter, known in cartoons as "the pound."  Shelter workers pick up stray animals from city streets, provide pets with temporary shelter, and provide a way for citizens to adopt animals who do not have a home.  $\boxed 1$ Furthermore, not everything about the shelter system is perfect.

    Many shelters are overwhelmed with stray animals.  They pick up many animals from the street. $\boxed 2$ Moreover, pet owners who no longer can care for or no longer want their pets often drop them off at shelters. Some shelters are "no kill" shelters, $\boxed 3$ therefore most city shelters have to euthanize pets who to make room for the new animals that they take in. 

    Many problems contribute to the problem of overcrowded animals shelters. Many pets are not sprayed or neutered, $\boxed 4$ resulting in many unwanted kittens and puppies who often end up at shelters. $\boxed 5$ Thus, many families abandon their animals when they move or experience a significant life change. $\boxed 6$Additionally, couples might get rid of an animal when they move in together and their respective pets don't get along. $\boxed 7$ Similarly, sometimes families abandon pets when they have a baby and don't have time to care for both pet and baby (or if they fear the the animal might harm the baby).

    How can a normal citizen help improve the problem of overcrowded shelters? $\boxed 8$ For one, people can adopt pets from shelters, rather than buying them from pet stores or breeders. $\boxed 9$However, pet owners can spay and neuter their pets, so they do not end up with kittens or puppies that they can't care for and then need to drop off at a shelter. $\boxed {10}$ Subsequently, everyone should see their commitments to their pets as a live-long promise to a family member.  If someone cannot keep a pet for some reason, that person should commit to finding that pet a new home, rather than dropping it at a shelter. 

     

    1. 

    1. NO CHANGE
    2. However
    3. Similarly
    4. On the other hand

    2. 

    1. NO CHANGE
    2. In contrast
    3. Finally
    4. Subsequently

    3. 

    1. NO CHANGE
    2. However
    3. Thus
    4. For example

    4. 

    1. NO CHANGE
    2. whereby there becomes
    3. otherwise there will be
    4. which results from

    5. 

    1. NO CHANGE
    2. However
    3. Hence
    4. Furthermore

    6. 

    1. NO CHANGE
    2. Moreover
    3. Finally
    4. For instance

    7. 

    1. NO CHANGE
    2. In contrast
    3. On one hand
    4. On the other hand

    8. 

    1. NO CHANGE
    2. Finally
    3. Incidentally
    4. Therefore

    9.

    1. NO CHANGE
    2. More importantly
    3. Thus
    4. Consequently

    10. 

    1. NO CHANGE
    2. Finally
    3. Similarly
    4. Interestingly

    Answer Key:

Skill: