Transitional Words and Phrases

The following phrases and words are great for moving along an essay--either from one paragraph to the next or from sentence to sentence. In using these words and phrases be sure not to use the same words and phrases repeatedly. Doing so will cause your essay to sound redundant.

TRANSITIONAL (OR CONNECTING) WORDS & PHRASES

Addition Explanation Comparison/Contrast Cause and Result

also
and
at the same time
besides
equally important
finally
further
furthermore
in addition
lastly
moreover
next
second, secondly

for example
for instance
incidentally
indeed
in fact
in other words
in particular
specifically
that is although
though
at the same time
for all that
however
in contrast
in spite of
despite
on the contrary
on the other hand
nevertheless
not with standing
just so
like...
unlike...
in like manner
likewise
similarly accordingly
as a result
because
consequently
hence
on account of
owing to
since
therefore
thus
Purpose Place Time Summary

for the purpose
for this reason
with this in view beside
beyond
here
on the other side
opposite
there soon
after a short time
afterwards
at last
at length
hitherto
immediately
in the future
in the mean time
meanwhile
subsequently in brief
in conclusion
in short
to conclude
to sum up

TRANSITIONAL (OR CONNECTING) WORDS & PHRASES
Addition	Explanation	Comparison/Contrast	Cause and Result
also and at the same time besides equally important finally further furthermore in addition lastly moreover next second, secondly
for example for instance incidentally indeed in fact in other words in particular specifically that is	although though at the same time for all that however in contrast in spite of despite on the contrary on the other hand nevertheless not with standing just so like... unlike... in like manner likewise similarly	accordingly as a result because consequently hence on account of owing to since therefore thus
Purpose	Place	Time	Summary
for the purpose for this reason with this in view	beside beyond here on the other side opposite there	soon after a short time afterwards at last at length hitherto immediately in the future in the mean time meanwhile subsequently	in brief in conclusion in short to conclude to sum up