Transitions
Transitions are the glue of a good essay, they give coherence (when all the ideas are linked) and logic (when all the ideas are arranged in an appropriate order). Furthermore, they introduce the next idea (furthermore indicates that the next idea agrees with the previous idea) and give an idea of how it fits in to the whole.
Common transition words:
Accordingly, although, also, as a result/consequence, besides, consequently, despite, even though, finally, for this purpose, further(more), hence, however, instead, in addition, in spite of, meanwhile, moreover, namely, nevertheless, next, nonetheless, otherwise, similarly, still then, therefore, though, thus, undoubtedly, for example, for instance, on the other hand, on the whole, that is, whereas, while...
(NB: bold words are subordinating conjunctions)
Transitions can be split into functional groups:
CausativeagreeingdisagreeingSequencingextra information
becauseanotheralthoughfirstmoreover
sincesimilarlyhowevernextin addition
due tofurthermoreon the other handfinallyalso
owing to
consequently
ConcludingIntroductoryChoice
in conclusionfor exampleotherwise
in summaryfor instanceor
in briefsuch asif
in shortindeedunless
in fact
Sequencing usually follows a time order,
First, second, third, then, next, before (+gerund), after (+gerund), as, later, finally, gradually, meanwhile
a “space order”,
at, at the end, behind, beside, between, in, in front of, in the centre, in the middle, next to, on, on both sides, on the end, an the left, on the right, on top of, over, under...
a cause and effect structure
owing to, consequently, because, since, due to, owing to, thanks to, thus, therefore, as a consequence/result of, hence
or a compare/contrast format
Whereas, in contrast, similarly, likewise, in (by) comparison (compared with, compared to, differ from, (be)dissimilar)
Transitions take two simple sentences and join them with an indication of their relationship.
E.g. Maria applied for the job by e-mail.
Brad did not.
becomes; Maria applied for the job by e-mail, however, Brad didn’t.
(This gives the idea that, although you may have expected Brad to apply as well, he didn’t.)
Despite scoring ten goals, England still lost on penalties.
(Despite indicates that your expectation is probably wrong)
Peter Crouch is an excellent striker, moreover he’s a gentleman.
(I’m emphasizing the extra information as being something special)
Frank Lampard plays intelligently whereas Michael Ballack frequently makes the wrong decision.
(Comparing two similar people or objects)
Firstly, boil some water, then place the instant noodles in a bowl....
(giving time order for instructions)
On both sidesof the front door are climbing plants. To the left of the house is the garage....
(describing something according to space, or how you would see it)
It was very cold so I wore my warmest coat.
(clearly the reason I wore my coat was that it was cold)
“All Thais are liars.” said Somchai from Thailand.
“But you are Thai, therefore you must be a liar!” replied his friend.
(this shows that one fact must follow another)
Instructions: fill in each blank with an appropriate transition signal.
- The same article said that the causes of inflation were easy to find ______the cure for inflation was not so easy to prescribe.
a) howeverb) for examplec) therefore
- ERA also suggested that rising wages were one of the primary causes of inflation ______the governement shold take action to control wages.
a) howeverb) for examplec) therefore
- In physics, the weight of an object is the gravitational force with which the Earth attracts it ______is a man weighs 150 pounds, this means that the Earth pulls him down with a force of 150 pounds.
a) moreoverb) for examplec) therefore
- The further away from the Earth a person is, the less the gravitational force of the Earth ______a aman weighs less when he is 50,000 miles from the Earth than when he is only 5,000 miles away.
a) in conclusionb) for examplec) therefore
- Cable TV revolutionised communications; ______the very existence of that service is now threatened by satellites.
a) consequentlyb) moreoverc) for exampled) nevertheless
6.Hospitals are competing for a shrinking market share; ______, they are
attempting to discover the most cost-effective and highest quality care.
a) thereforeb) besidesc) alsod) furthermore
7.These ads can bring in revenue; ______, they can keep our costs down.
a)for exampleb) on the wholec) moreoverd) however
8.The firm intends to move its plant; ______it will keep sales, marketing and distribution here.
a)to this endb) neverthelessc) consequentlyd) furthermore
9.The contract only runs for one year; ______, there are options to renew for two more years.
a) meanwhileb) besidesc) howeverd) moreover
10.Our sales have increased recently; ______we are optimistic about future growth.
a) howeverb) thusc) neverthelessd) also
Rewrite these sentences using a more formal connecting expression from the box below to replace “because of”.
thanks to as a result of owing to due to as a consequence of
11.Because of the crash on the motorway, all traffic is being severely delayed.
12. We got there in time, because of your advice.
13. My computer crashed, because of which I lost all the data.
14. Because of one bad decision after another, he’s lost all his money.
15. The flight was cancelled because of bad weather.
Connect these half sentences with any transition that makes sense.
Paul thinks Leeds are better than Chelsea.He is stupid.
Sony Ericsson are well-designed.Siemens are badly-designed.
They got married.They loved each other.
It was very expensive.It was worth every penny!
Thailand is a beautiful country.It is a great holiday
destination.
Som Dam is tasty.It can be too spicy.
I would like to visit Wat Pra Keaw.I haven’t had time.
England has great architecture.England has beautiful towns.
It’s important to practice writing.It’s important to practice
speaking.
Sek played for too long.Noi threw his shoe at him.
DSTi produce great products.They employ talented staff.