Some Common English Transition Words and Phrases

Adding Information Examples

and We have seen the movie twice, and now we want to see it
not only . . . but also again.
also Not only did my brother break his leg, but he also
moreover (more formal) bruised his rib.
furthermore (more My friend speaks Korean and English. She also speaks
formal) Chinese.
in addition (more formal) Cheating is dishonest. Moreover, it hinders students from
learning.
Students should be on time. Furthermore, they must be
prepared.
You must complete this essay by 5 p.m. In addition, you
must do the exercises on page 47.
Giving Examples Examples

for example I have been to many countries. For example, I have been
for instance to Russia, Canada, Mexico, and Spain.
specifically He often eats strange foods. For instance, he once ate
in particular cow brains.
The first (second, I like to travel. Specifically, I enjoy places with old
another, etc.) cathedrals.
example/reason is . . . I love fruit. In particular, I like bananas, pineapple, and
berries.
My friend hates skiing for several reasons. The first
reason is that she dislikes being cold. Another reason is
that she often falls.
Showing a Contrast Examples

but Bill earned an A on his essay, but Susan got a B.

however We wanted to leave at 8:00. However, Mike arrived too
on the other hand late.
otherwise She hates housecleaning. On the other hand, she doesn't
instead mind cooking.
in contrast (more formal) Students should attend class. Otherwise, they may lose
their status.
I am not going out tonight. Instead, I will stay home and
watch a video.
Women usually enjoy shopping. In contrast, men often
dislike it.
Showing a Concession Examples

yet He knows that he should do his homework, yet he never

nevertheless (more does it.
formal) I need to wear reading glasses. Nevertheless, I hate how
even so I look in them.
however I know you don't like to study. Even so, you must pass
although your exam.
even though There are many benefits to exercising. However, you
despite the fact that . . . must take some precautions to avoid injury.
despite Even though the book is difficult to read, it is very
interesting.
Although the book is difficult to read, it is very
interesting.
 Despite the fact that Kate is good at tennis, she lost the
match.
Despite Kate's skill at tennis, she lost the match.
Showing a Similarity Examples

likewise (more formal) Math was hard for me in high school. Likewise, it is hard
similarly (more formal) in college.
in the same way Houseplants require much care and attention. Similarly,
outdoor plants must be cared for properly.
Rock climbing takes much practice and skill. In the same
way, learning to write well requires a great deal of
practice.
Showing a Result Examples

so Janet passed her exam, so she is very happy.

as a result Tim was late. As a result, we could not go to the concert.
therefore James is not feeling well. Therefore, he will not be here
thus (more formal) today.
as a consequence The committee voted against the proposal. Thus, we must
consequently (more consider another idea.
formal) I forgot that the cake was in the oven. As a
consequence, it burned.
Tina lost her keys. Consequently, she could not drive
home.
Establishing Time Examples
Relation or Sequence
First, I think that she is studying hard.
first Second, I believe that she is a bright student.
second Finally, I know that she has great potential.
finally In conclusion, I feel that she deserves to win the
in conclusion scholarship.
in summary In summary, we should offer her some financial help.
meanwhile Jeff was working hard to clean the house. Meanwhile, his
brother was watching television.
Showing a Condition Examples

or I must study hard, or I will fail my exam.

whether . . . or Whether you are coming or not, I am still going to Amy's
if . . . (then) party.
If you want to get good grades, then you must do your
homework.
Explaining or Examples
Emphasizing
The bookstore sells cards. In fact, they have the best
in fact cards around.
actually James is actually the first person I have known who has
in other words been to Africa.
namely (more formal) He was late to class again. In other words, he didn't
wake up on time.
The plan needed only two things to succeed—namely,
time and money.
Giving an Alternative Examples

or We can go to the beach, or we can go to the mountains.

either . . . or You can either ride the bus or walk to my apartment.
neither . . . nor (more I like neither that person nor his brother.
formal)
Punctuation Rules

1. Coordinating Conjunctions (and, but, or, yet, so):

Put a comma before these conjunctions. (Don't use them at the beginning of
a sentence in more formal writing.)
example: The movie has already started, but my friend has not arrived yet.

2. Correlative Conjunctions (These have two parts: either . . . or):

o Put a comma before the second part if it connects 2 clauses

(complete sentences).
example: Eric is not only an outstanding teacher, but he is also a
gourmet cook.

o You don't need a comma if it only connects words or phrases.

example: Eric is not only an outstanding teacher but also a
gourmet cook.

3. Transitional Words and Phrases:

o Put a comma after these if they are at the beginning of a sentence.
example: I like to travel. Specifically, I enjoy places with old
cathedrals.

o Use a semicolon to connect the two sentences.

example: I like to travel; specifically, I enjoy places with old
cathedrals.

o Use a comma before and after the transitional word/phrase in the

middle of a clause.
example: I like to travel, and, specifically, I enjoy places with old
cathedrals.

4. Semicolon before a Transitional Phrase

5. This point is closely related to the lesson Extending a Sentence with a Semicolon as it
concerns merging two sentences to form one. However, in these examples, there is a
short bridge between the first half and the second half. The bridge is known as a
'transitional phrase'. There is always a comma after a transitional phrase. (The
transitional phrases are shown in bold below.)

Examples:

Everyone knows he is guilty; of course, it will never be proved.

(The transitional phrase "of course" acts like a bridge between the first half and
the second half.)

Sarah's guest was turned away by the doorman; as a result, she left before the
presentations.
("as a result" - transitional phrase)
 Business is booming; for example, Siemens have made 10 orders since
4 o'clock.
("for example" - transitional phrase)

I missed the early plane; however, I still made the meeting.

("however" - transitional phrase)

The paper is stuck in the lift; consequently, we cannot finish the

printing.
("consequently" - transitional phrase)

She does not loathe chess, on the contrary, she quite likes it.
(The term "on the contrary" is a transitional phrase. You cannot merge two
sentences into one with a comma. You must either start a new sentence or
use a semicolon.)

My security guards are not trained in fire-fighting; therefore, we paged the

fire service.

6. Comma after a Transitional Phrase

7. It is common for a sentence to start with an introduction that acts like a bridge
between the last sentence and the new sentence. The introduction makes the transition
between the two sentences smoother. (It is known as a 'transitional phrase'.) It always
appears at the start of a sentence and is followed by a comma.

Examples:

Bruce Leonard spent 4 years in Japan studying Kung Fu and 3 years at the
London School of Martial Arts as the senior instructor. As a result, his style...
('As a result' is a transitional phrase. It acts like a bridge between the previous
sentence and the new one. It is followed by a comma.)

Of course, he never knew…

('Of course,' < transitional phrase)

In summary, 7 out of 10…

('In summary,' < transitional phrase)

Therefore, the cost of each lesson…

('Therefore,' < transitional phrase)

Consequently, his teaching techniques…

('Consequently,' < transitional phrase)

However, Bruce was unaware…

('However,' < transitional phrase)

8. Semicolons Can Replace Conjunctions

 9. Semicolons can be used to replace words like 'and', 'but' and 'or'. (These are called
Conjunctions.)

Examples:

The manager did not approve the plan; he suggested several changes.
(In this example, , but could be written in the place of the semicolon.)

Craig joined the Army; Darren joined the Marines.

(semicolon replaces , but)

Eat oranges throughout the journey; you may catch scurvy.

(semicolon replaces , or)

10.Comma before And

11. When two simples sentences are joined together using a conjunction (e.g., and, but,
or), it should be preceded by a comma. (This is also covered in the lesson Commas
before Conjunctions.)

Examples:

Our team was given 2 minutes' notice, but theirs had been training for weeks.
("Our team was given 2 minutes' notice." + "Theirs had been training for weeks".
These two sentences are merged into one using the conjunction "but".
In this role, "but" should be preceded by a comma.)

I have spoken to Sarah, and she has confirmed the delivery date.
("I have spoken to Sarah." + "She has confirmed the delivery date".
The conjunction "and" should be preceded by a comma.)

I have spoken to Sarah, and confirmed the delivery date.

("I have spoken to Sarah." + "confirmed the delivery date". The conjunction
"and" should not be preceded by a comma in this example, because
"confirmed the delivery date" is not a sentence. This is a list comprising two
actions: "spoken to Sarah" and "confirmed the delivery date".)

We eventually found the cave, but Jack was not there.

We built the hut in an hour and then painted it.

Semicolon before And

1. As covered in the lesson Commas before Conjunctions, when a conjunction (e.g., and,
but, or) merges two simple sentences into one, it should be preceded by a comma.
However, if one (or both) of the sentences already contains a comma (or commas),
then a semicolon can be used instead.

Examples:
 In the '60s, there were dozens of buzzards along the 7-mile trek; but, due to the
decline in vermin, only 2 adults live in the area at present.
("In the '60s, there were dozens of buzzards along the 7-mile trek." + "Due to the
decline in vermin, only 2 adults live in the area at present." These two
sentences both contain commas and are merged into one sentence
using the conjunction "but". In this role, "but" can be preceded by a semicolon.)
(A comma can also be used and is more common.)

Mark, Dawn and Sally adore boiled spare ribs; but Julia, a staunch vegetarian, leaves
the room when they are on the menu.
(Semicolon before "but" - a comma can also be used and is more common.)

Semicolons to Separate List Items

1. Items in lists are usually separated with commas (as in the first example below).
However, if the list items themselves contain commas, then semicolons can be used as
separators.

Examples:

I have been to Newcastle, Carlisle and York.

(comma used to separate list items)

I have been to Newcastle, Carlisle and York in the North; Bristol, Exeter and
Portsmouth in the South; and Cromer, Norwich and Lincoln in the East.
(semicolons used to separate the list items as they contain commas)

You should choose ham, chicken or char-grilled vegetable sandwiches; cups

of tea, Bovril or coffee (if you don't mind them lukewarm); or red wine (one
of the few options that's drinkable when lukewarm).

2.