Useful Introductory/Transition Lines

ANSWERING IN THE POSITIVE 16. The case is not tenable.

17. The act of the accused in… is of no
1. The petition is meritorious. moment.
2. The contention has legal basis. 18. The assertion lacks substance.
3. The case will prosper. 19. The (i.e. respondent) cannot rely on (i.e.
4. The argument is proper. mere alibis) to aid his cause.
5. The provision is perfectly applicable. 20. The court cannot countenance the (i.e.
6. The action is tenable. inconsistent postures of the petitioner)
7. The motion should be granted. 21. The testimony that…, cannot be given
credence.
8. The Judge is correct.
22. The evidence presented has no probative
9. The petition is impressed with merit.
value.
10. Yes. It is a (i.e. patent violation) of the
23. The allegation is belied by the fact
11. There is merit in the petition. that…
12. The petitioner’s contention is 24. To put it otherwise would be to render
sustainable. the law on _____________

ANSWERING IN THE NEGATIVE useless/futile.

1. The decision is not in accord with law 25. The actuations of the accused in (i.e.
and jurisprudence. fleeing and hiding) negates (i.e.
2. The decision is erroneous.
3. The contention is totally misplaced. innocence)
4. The doctrine of….. does not apply in 26. While it is true that _______________ is
this case. a (i.e. constitutional guaranteed right
5. The petition is not meritorious.
6. The evidence presented deserves scant of a person), it does not, however mean…
consideration.
7. The contention has no legal basis. 27. It is not correct to say that…
8. The argument is bereft of merit. 28. It is not proper to state that…
9. The petition is devoid of merit. 29. It is not accurate to conclude outright
that…
10.Petitioner’s/Respondent’s/Complainant’s/Plai 30. A contrary conclusion would erode the
ntiff’s/Defendant’s/Accused reliance on the (i.e. rule that provides in part that…
doctrine of…) is inappropriate. 31. To sustain the contention would be to
render the law on ____________
11. It is a futile gesture on the part of the
respondent to invoke the rule on… nugatory.
12. The theory/argument has no ground to
stand upon. 32. It would be absurd and incongruous to
13. The contention has no leg with which to sustain the argument that…
stand on. 33. It is not enough that…
14. The position of the petitioner runs 34. The fact that … is immaterial since…
counter with the doctrine of… 35. The fact that … is irrelevant since…
15. The case will not prosper.
 Useful Introductory/Transition Lines

36. In itself, mere …… is not sufficient (i.e. 5. Under the law…

to warrant conviction)…. 6. According to the (i.e. Family Code)…
37. The petitioner cannot give any 7. The law is explicit on the matter.
additional meaning to the clear and plain
8. The law explicitly expresses in part
that…
language of the law.
9. By express provision of law,…
38. The Supreme Court, in several cases, 10. By operation of law…
has struck down the (i.e. defense of alibi) 11. As a matter of law…
39. The attendant circumstances of the case 12. Worth remembering is the rule on
are contrary to the petitioner’s _______________ which provides in part
that…
assertion.
13. Decisive on the matter is the pertinent
40. The evidence does not support the provision of the (i.e. Law on
theory of the petitioners.
Property)
41. There is no cogent reason to disturb the
ruling of the (i.e. Court of Appeals) 14. The law prescribes certain rules on…
42. The claim for (i.e. moral damages) must 15. By legislative fiat…
necessarily fail.
QUOTING SUPREME COURT DECISIONS
ANSWER THAT REQUIRES
QUALIFICATION 1. The Supreme Court in one case, had the
occasion to rule that…
(But if the facts are complete in itself, do not
2. In a long-line of cases decided by the
attempt to add facts or assume anything.)
Supreme Court, it has always been
1. We must distinguish. If… (or As far as
the __________ is concerned) (consistently) held that…
2. It depends. If…(or As far as the 3. In a litany of cases decided by the
__________ is concerned) Supreme Court,
3. The question requires a qualified 4. In a long-string of cases decided by the
answer. If… highest court of the land,
4. I will qualify. If… 5. According to several cases decided by
5. On the assumption that… the Supreme Court,…
6. My answer must be qualified. 6. In a series of cases decided by the
Supreme Court,
CITING LAW PROVISIONS
* Do not use the words series, litany or long-line
1. No less than the (i.e. 1987 Constitution) if there is only one
provides for the…
2. The (i.e. Rules of Court) substantially decision/jurisprudence for that topic.
provides in part that…
7. In one case decided by the highest court
3. Under the broad principles of (i.e. due
process clause)… of the land, it was held that
8. In one case, the Supreme Court ruled
4. Under the all-encompassing doctrine of
(i.e. incontestability clause)… that
 Useful Introductory/Transition Lines

9. It has been said that… 6. The cardinal rule in (i.e. labor law) is
10. In a recent case, the Supreme Court has that
laid to rest the issue of whether or not… 7. It is a familiar canon in (i.e. political
11. It is well settled in this jurisdiction… law) that
12. It is well settled in this country… 8. By well settled public law…
13. The Supreme Court has steadfastly 9. Basic is the rule in (i.e. Criminal Law)
adhered to the doctrine which states …
10. It is an elementary principle in…
that 11. It is a fundamental doctrine in…
12. Well accepted is the rule that…
14. In a case with similar facts, the Supreme
Court ruled that… 13. It is axiomatic in (i.e. Civil Law) that
15. In several notable Supreme Court 14. Enshrined in the 1987 Constitution is the
decisions, the highest court declared that… rule that (i.e. no person shall be deprived of
life, liberty or property without due process
16. The Supreme Court has often stressed
of law)
that…
15. Consonant with the rule on…
17. In the landmark case of _____________,
(if the case is so famous) the 16. It is a recognized doctrine in (i.e. Civil
law) that…
Supreme Court laid down the doctrine which 17. It is a basic tenet in (i.e. Commercial
substantially provides that… Law)
18. Consistent with current jurisprudence
18. In the leading case of …
19. It is a legal presumption, born of
19. As enunciated by the Supreme Court in wisdom and experience, that …
one case,…
20. It is an oft-repeated rule that…
20. The court has repeatedly ruled…
21. The Philippines adhere to the principle
21. A case in point is a case already decided of…
by no other than the highest court of the
land, where the Supreme Court held that… REFERRING BACK TO THE CASE
22. There is likewise an array of cases in
this jurisdiction where the Supreme Court (correlating the facts with the law/jurisprudence)
has consistently declared that…
23. Deeply rooted is the jurisprudence 1. Applying the said law/doctrine in the
which provides that… instant case,
24. In one case, the Supreme Court was 2. From the facts given, noteworthy is the
emphatic when it ruled that…. …
3. From the facts of the case, it is readily
EMPHASIZING CASE DOCTRINES / observable that…
JURISPRUDENCE 4. In the instant case, it may be observed
that…
1. It is hornbook doctrine in (i.e. Civil
Law) that… 5. It is crystal clear from the facts
presented that (i.e. the crime of treason) is
2. Immortal is the rule that… present (or was committed).
3. Well settled is the rule… 6. In the present case, it is immediately
4. Well entrenched is the principle that.. noticeable that the element of
5. Elementary is the rule that..
 Useful Introductory/Transition Lines

__________ is wanting (or lacking). 8. Lastly, …

9. Consequently,…
7. Under the circumstances, the proper
remedy would be… 10. As a necessary consequence…
8. The case obtaining indicates a case of 11. The logical implication is that…
(i.e. B.P. 22) 12. At any rate,…
9. It logically follows… 13. In view of the foregoing,…
10. It goes without saying… 14. As an inevitable conclusion,…
11. Even assuming arguendo, for the sake 15. In the light of the circumstances,…
of argument that… 16. Undoubtedly,…
12. The situation in the case at hand… 17. Indubitably,…
13. The situation presented evinces a case 18. Clearly, the case at hand falls squarely
of… within the purview of…
14. The facts sufficiently indicated … 19. Verily, he/she has committed…
15. In the given facts, it is immediately 20. For this/these reason/s, it is unavoidable
apparent that… to conclude that…
16. It is evident that… 21. Based on the facts obtaining,…
17. In the same token… 22. In this light,…
18. Under the facts stated in the problem,… 23. This being the case…
19. In the case under consideration,… 24. Clearly therefore, applying the
20. Worth stressing is the fact that aforecited ruling in the case at hand,…
21. Worth emphasizing is the fact that 25. In light of the foregoing, it is beyond
22. The facts would reveal that… cavil (doubt) that,…
23. A careful perusal of the facts of the case 26. There is no doubt that…
would reveal that… 27. To the unprejudiced mind, the actuations
24. A careful scrutiny of the actuations of of the three, when analyzed and taken
the accused would reveal that… together, leads to no other conclusion
except that (i.e. conspiracy
25. A careful reading of the (i.e. Deed of
Absolute Sale) would reveal that…
among them existed)
26. A cursory examination of the…
28. Inescapably, therefore,…
CONCLUDING WORDS 29. All things considered,…
1. From the gamut of evidence on hand, it 30. It follows therefore that…
can be gathered/deduced that,… 31. As a logical result…
2. Taken all together,… 32. In sum,..
3. Finally, … 33. In view of the fact that…,
4. Hence, … 34. All told,…
5. Therefore, … 35. Given the prevailing facts…
6. From the foregoing, it can be deduced 36. Having stated the foregoing premises,…
that there is really (i.e. a violation of…) 37. One final point,…
7. From the foregoing, it is now safe to 38. Accordingly,…
conclude that….
 Useful Introductory/Transition Lines
Example of unclear transition:
The characters in Book A face a moral dilemma.
In the same way, the characters in Book B face
a similar problem.
Improved transition:
The characters in Book A face a moral dilemma,
a contested inheritance. Although the
inheritance in Book B consists of an old house
and not a pile of money, the nature of the
problem is quite similar.
Examples of Transitions:
Illustration  spite of, of course.
Thus, for example, for instance, namely, to
illustrate, in other words, in particular,
specifically, such as.
Contrast
On the contrary, contrarily, notwithstanding, but,
however, nevertheless, in spite of, in contrast,
yet, on one hand, on the other hand, rather, or,
nor, conversely, at the same time, while this may
be true.
Addition
And, in addition to, furthermore, moreover,
besides, than, too, also, both-and, another,
equally important, first, second, etc., again,
further, last, finally, not only-but also, as well as,
in the second place, next, likewise, similarly, in
fact, as a result, consequently, in the same way,
for example, for instance, however, thus,
therefore, otherwise.
Time
After, afterward, before, then, once, next, last, at
last, at length, first, second, etc., at first,
formerly, rarely, usually, another, finally, soon,
meanwhile, at the same time, for a minute, hour,
day, etc., during the morning, day, week, etc.,
most important, later, ordinarily, to begin with,
afterwards, generally, in order to, subsequently,
previously, in the meantime, immediately,
eventually, concurrently, simultaneously.
Space
At the left, at the right, in the center, on the side,
along the edge, on top, below, beneath, under,
around, above, over, straight ahead, at the top,
at the bottom, surrounding, opposite, at the rear,
at the front, in front of, beside, behind, next to,
nearby, in the distance, beyond, in the forefront,
in the foreground, within sight, out of sight,
across, under, nearer, adjacent, in the
background.
Concession
Although, at any rate, at least, still, thought, even
though, granted that, while it may be true, in
Similarity or Comparison
Similarly, likewise, in like fashion, in like manner,
analogous to.
Emphasis
Above all, indeed, truly, of course, certainly,
surely, in fact, really, in truth, again, besides,
also, furthermore, in addition.
Details
 Useful Introductory/Transition Lines

Specifically, especially, in particular, to explain,

to list, to enumerate, in detail, namely, including.

Examples

For example, for instance, to illustrate, thus, in

other words, as an illustration, in particular.

Consequence or Result

So that, with the result that, thus, consequently,

hence, accordingly, for this reason, therefore,
so, because, since, due to, as a result, in other
words, then.

Summary

Therefore, finally, consequently, thus, in short, in

conclusion, in brief, as a result, accordingly.

Suggestion

For this purpose, to this end, with this in mind,

with this purpose in mind, therefore.