Some Common English Transition Words



Some Common English Transition WordsThere are three major ways of linking ideas:Transition words, which link two separate independent clauses. IC. Transition, IC.Subordinators, which introduce a dependent clause in a complex sentence. DC, IC or IC DC. Some subordinators are followed by a subject and verb.Some subordinators are followed by just a noun phrase.Coordinating conjunctions, which join two independent clauses in a compound sentence. IC, and IC. (FANBOYS) Do NOT start a sentence with FANBOYS in academic or formal writing.AdditionAlsoIn additionFurthermoreMoreoverBuilds on the previous sentence. Usually followed by a comma.Example:GU has the best ESL teachers. In addition, the school has a great campus.As well (as) TooBuilds on the previous thought within a sentence.Example:GU has the best teachers as well as a great campus.GU has the best teachers and a great campus, too.SimilarityIn the same wayIn a similar fashion In turnLikewiseSimilarlyAs we all knowEmphasizes the similarities between two sentences. Usually followed by a comma.John didn’t do any of his homework this semester. Similarly, he didn’t do any of his homework last semester, either.Contrast and ConcessionHowever NeverthelessOn the other handSignals a change in thought or a U-turn. Generally needs to follow a period or semi-colon and is followed by a comma.Example:It’s been warm all week. However, on Saturday, it’s supposed to get cold.ButSignals a change in thought or a U-turn, but normally used as part of same sentence.Example: It’s been warm all week, but on Saturday, it’s supposed to get cold.In contrastUnlikeEmphasizes differences between two otherwise alike items. “In contrast” is followed by a comma. “Unlike” is followed by a noun phrase.Example:John and Mark are brothers, but they are not exactly alike. John studies hard and always gets As. In contrast, Mark never does his homework and is failing his courses.Unlike Mark, John studies hard and always gets As.Although Even thoughWhileSignals a condition or upsetting of expectations; must be followed by a complete independent clause.Example:Although Lisa travels a long way to school, she always arrives on time.DespiteIn spite ofSignals a condition or upsetting of expectations, but usually does not follow a complete clause.Example:Despite her long commute, Lisa always gets to school on time.ExampleFor exampleFor instanceShows an example mentioned in the previous sentence, normally after a period or semi-colon. Usually used with a complete clause.Example:I love to travel. For example, I’ve been to Canada, Spain, and Morocco.Such asIncludingShows an example within the same sentence, normally after a comma. Usually used with just a list of items or actions.Example:I love to travel, and have been to many places, such as Canada, Spain, and Morocco.SubstitutionInsteadInstead ofReplaces one idea or thing with another.Example: Some cultures prefer shaking hands gently. Instead, in the U.S. people shake hands firmly.Some cultures prefer shaking hands gently instead of shaking hands firmly like in the U.S.CauseBecauseSinceBecause ofDue toAs a result ofIntroduces a cause in a cause-and-effect relationship. “Because” and “since“ require a complete clause. “Because of” and “Due to” are followed by noun phrases.Example:Because he studied hard, he got good grades.Since he was a good student, he got good grades.BUT: Because of his hard work, he got good grades.EffectThereforeAs a resultConsequentlySoIntroduces the effect in a cause-and-effect relationship. Usually followed by a comma.Example:John never did his homework. As a result, he failed the course.“So” is usually used as part of the same sentence.Example:John never did his homework, so he failed the course.PurposeSo thatIn order to Introduces a reason or intention. Note that the “that” in so that is sometimes omitted. “In order to” is always followed by the root form of the verb.Example:So that he would get good grades, John studied hard this semester.So he would get good grades, John studied hard this semester.In order to get good grades, John studied hard this semester.TimeAt a later dateMeanwhilePreviouslySubsequentlyFirst/Second/ThirdAfter/BeforeShows the order of time. Usually set off with a comma at the beginning of a sentence (no comma if used at end or in middle).Example:Subsequently, the U.S. decided to provide health care for the poor.Good websites: , , never went skydiving, ____________________ I would like to try.becauseb. althoughc. despite_________ Julie could get to work faster, her husband drove her to the metro each day.Unlikeb. Even thoughc. So thatIt snowed 6 inches last night. _____________, school was closed.Due tob. In contrastc. As a result_____ food shopping can be one of a family’s biggest expenses, it’s important to shop wisely.So thatb. Becausec. Because ofExperts recommend making a list before shopping _____ you don’t buy items you don’t really need.sinceb. due toc. so thatThey also recommend shopping after you have eaten to avoid overbuying ______ how hungry you feel.becauseb. as a resultc. as a result of_____ many stores put healthier food around the outer edges of the store, experts recommend that consumers focus their shopping there.So thatb. Sincec. Due to_____ wrapping gifts in wrapping paper, some say it’s more environmentally friendly to use newspaper comic pages.Instead ofb. In contrastc. InsteadYou might not have any special expenses right now. ____________, you should always have an emergency savings fund.Nonethelessb. In spite ofc. InsteadGifts with company logos are appropriate in China. _______, such gifts are inappropriate in Japan.In spite ofb. Converselyc. Instead ................
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