Transition Words

create cohesion and clarity in your writing and speaking

Addition Comparison Contrast

Additionally Similarly However

Furthermore Likewise In contrast
Moreover In the same way While
In addition In comparison Yet
Also As well as Although
Besides Just as Despite

Cause & Effect Clarification Sequence

Therefore In other words First, Second, Third

Thus Specially Next
As a result That is to say Then
Because of To explain Afterward
Since To clarify Finally
For this reason Namely In conclusion

Example Summary Emphasis

For example In conclusion Above all

For instance To sum up Most importantly
Such as Ultimately Indeed
In particular Overall Undoubtedly
To illustrate To conclude Clearly
Including To summarize Importantly
 Fill in each blank with one of the transition expressions from the box above each
passage to make the passage cohesive. You should use each answer one time
only.

For instance - Fortunately - Furthermore - However - In fact

1. I certainly thought he would do a good job. __________, he failed miserably.

2. There are many ways to make a good impression on your boss. __________,
one way is to come to work on time.
3. You should always show up for work on time. __________, you should never
leave work early.
4. I can argue that you need to spend more time on this job. __________ you
should spend several hours on it.
5. He tried recently to get that job. __________ that job is now his.

in contrast - in summary - moreover - nonetheless - therefore

6. Freshmen are taking the introductory course; juniors,__________, are taking

the advanced course.
7. Freshmen have already studied biology; __________ they must still take the
introductory biology course.
8. A certain course is required for freshmen; all freshmen, __________ must take
the course.
9. Freshmen must take three lecture courses; __________ they must take one
laboratory course.
10. Juniors must take three lecture courses and three laboratory courses;
__________ , they will be very busy.
 as a result - for example - in conslusion - on the other hand -
surprisingly

11. One student studied really hard for the exam; __________ , she failed the
exam.
12. A few students did quite well on the exam; the rest, __________ , did quite
poorly.
13. There were a few high grades on the exam. One student, __________ , had
99% correct.
14. Some students did not prepare for the exam; __________ , they did not do so
well.
15. The students who studied hard did well on the exam, and those who did not study
hard did poorly; __________ , one can say that the exam grades depended on
preparation.

consequently - in addition - indeed - interestingly - nevertheless

16. Tickets are required for the concert; __________ , anyone who wants to go to
the concert must purchase a ticket.
17. A sonata will be performed at the concert; __________ , a concerto will be
performed.
18. One student does not like classical music; __________ , her friends have
talked her into going.
19. There will be a guest performer at the concert; __________ , the guest
performer is someone quite famous.
20. The audience truly appreciatd the performance; __________ , the audicence
thought the performance was wonderful.