Signal Words

Amjad Rafique
Signal Words
 Signal words are specific words that you can use to
transition between the different ideas in your paper
clearly and organically.
 Signal words work to connect thoughts, sentences and
paragraphs together. 
 Here are some examples of signal words and phrases: “as
a result,” “nevertheless,” “at the same time,” and
“similarly.”
Types and Functions of Signal Words
Signal words indicate;
 Addition
 Similarities
 Differences
 Place
 Cause and effect
 Summary, repetition, and emphasis
 Examples
 Time
 Help in definition
Words that indicate addition
Moreover
Together
With
Further
Likewise
Along with
Furthermore
For Example;
Ali is going to Karachi along with his family.
Words that indicate similarities
Similarly
 like
Just as
Identically
likewise
Similar to
In the same way
For Example;
That apple is similar to the one I ate yesterday
Words that indicate differences
But
Nevertheless
In contrast
Though
Otherwise
Whereas
However
On the other
For Example;
I want to go to the party, but I am so tired.
Words that indicate place
Here
Next
There
Above
Beyond
Near
Far
Under
For Instance;
My house is only a mile from here.
Words that indicate cause, effect, and explanation

Therefore
Accordingly
If, then
For
For this reason
Thus
Consequently
Since
Because
For Example;
You had no real knowledge and therefore no way to make a
wise decision.
Words that indicate summary, repetition, and emphasis

 To sum up
 In short
 As has been noted
 In brief
 As I have said
 In other words
 In fact

For Example;
 He began with a brief introduction
Words that introduce examples
For example
To illustrate
Such as
Once
For instance
Specifically
In other words
 For Instance;
Signal words connect two thoughts for example
“but” and “similarly”
Words that indicate time
Next
Last
Today
Now
After
Finally
Until
During
Then
For Example;
She took notes during class.
Words that help define
Is
Is called
Are known as
Means
That is
Of
Are
Refers to
For Example;
The scientific study of language is called Linguistics.