Transition Words

Transition Words
 A transition or linking expression is a word
or group of words that is used to give a
reader some obvious "directional signals."
They act like threads to sew ideas
together. They explain how one idea is
linked to another.
 We are going to talk about three types of
transition words: Subordinating
Conjunctions, Coordinating Conjunctions
and Conjunctive Adverbs.

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Subordinating
Conjunctions(SCs)
 SCs or two-place connectors can occur either at the
beginning or in the middle of the sentence: 1)Because
she is always helpful, I like her.
( 2)I like her because she is always so helpful.
 SCs introduce Subordinating Clauses. When a
Subordinating Clause comes before the Main Clause, a
comma separates the two (1). When a Main Clause
precedes the Subordinating Clause, there is no comma.
(2)
 Some SCs are: after, although, as, as if, because,
before, even if, even though, if, if only, rather than,
since, that, though, unless, until, when, where,
whereas, wherever, whether, which, while

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Coordinating Conjunctions
(CCs)
 CCs are also known as comma-
connectors. These connectors typically
occur in the middle of a sentence. When
these connectors occur in the middle of a
sentence, they are preceded by a comma.
I was hungry, but I didn’t eat anything.
I found a book, and I began to read it.
 CCs introduce Coordinating Clauses.
 Some CCs are: For, And, Nor, But, Or,
Yet, So. A mnemonic device is FANBOYS.

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Conjunctive Adverbs (CAs)

 CAs are usually preceded by a period or semicolon.

They show the connection between two sentences.
 When these adverbs occur at a clause initial position,
they are followed by a comma.
He promised to be early; however, he was late.
He promised to be early. However, he was late.
 If a conjunctive adverb occurs medially, it is set-off by
two commas.
He tried hard. He could not, however, get up on time.
 Some CAs are: however, therefore, then, nevertheless,
nonetheless, furthermore, on the contrary, on the other
hand, nonetheless, moreover, in addition.
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Transition Words

 These transitional devices make certain

connections or assumptions about the
areas being connected. Some imply the
"building" of an idea or thought, while
others compare ideas or draw conclusions
from the preceding thoughts.

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Cause and Effect (Result)

 Because or since are used to introduce cause.

Sentences with because or since must also have
the effect clause.
I went home because/since I was tired.
Effect Cause
Because/Since I was tired, I went home.
Cause Effect
 So, therefore are used to introduce effect.
I was angry, so I went home.
Cause Effect
 I was angry; therefore, I went home.
Cause Effect
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EXERCISE - Combine the two sentences using an
appropriate transition word or phrase.

1. We stayed inside. There was a tropical storm.

2. Tracy failed the exam. She didn't study.
3. Dave had a car accident. He was sending a text.
4. Mike is a good volleyball player. He wins many games.
5. My flight was delayed. I didn't make it home in time for
the wedding.

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ANSWERS

 SINCE
 BECAUSE
 AS
 THEREFORE
 SO

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Contrast

 But, yet, however, on the contrary,

while, whereas, etc are used to show
that two entities have one or more
semantic differences in them.
Winter is warm in Miami, but it is cold in
Alaska.
My mother had a difficult life while I had
an easy one.

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 FILL IN WITH THE OPTIONS GIVEN
BELOW
UNLIKE, BUT, WHEREAS

1. “I’m really good at playing the guitar ----I can’t play the
flute.”
2. “Alan is a great singer----Anna is an excellent painter.”
3. “Spain is good for beach holidays, ----Austria, which is
good for skiing.”

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ANSWERS

1. “I’m really good at playing the guitar but I can’t play

the flute.”
2. “Alan is a great singer whereas Anna is an excellent
painter.”
3. “Spain is good for beach holidays, unlike Austria,
which is good for skiing.”

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Concessions

 Even though, although, but, yet, nevertheless,

nonetheless, etc are used when describing situation with
the violation of reasonable expectations.
 Even though, although,etc are used to introduce the
statement, NOT the violation of the expectations.
Although she loves to ski, she went on a tennis vacation.
Statement Unexpected result
 But, yet, however, nevertheless, nonetheless, etc are
used to introduce the clause with the unexpected result.
She was tired, but she didn’t go to bed.
Statement Unexpected Result
He worked really hard; however, he didn’t pass the test.

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ANSWERSFILL IN WITH THE OPTIONS GIVEN BELOW
In spite of, Even though, despite

1. -------- the kids hadn’t met before, they got on really well
at the party.”
2. “We managed to afford a holiday ------ our financial
problems.”
3. “We had a great time at the beach, ------the clouds.”

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ANSWERS

1. “Even though the kids hadn’t met before, they got on

really well at the party.”
2. “We managed to afford a holiday despite our financial
problems.”
3. “We had a great time at the beach, in spite of the
clouds.”

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Addition

 Moreover, in addition, furthermore are

used to present additional information.
At the interview, I was asked for the
names of two people who could vouch for
my academic abilities; in addition, I was
asked for the name of two personal
references.
I was asked to submit my resume;
furthermore, I was asked for two
references.
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FILL THE OPTIONS GIVEN BELOW IN THE PARAGRAPH

Secondly, however, Firstly, Thirdly, most importantly,

Moreover, In conclusion -

 In this paragraph, I’m going to discuss a few reasons

why practice is important to mastering skills. -------the
only way to truly learn a skill is by actually doing what
you’ll have to do in the real world. -----I think practice
can be a fun way of putting in the necessary hours.
There are, ------some people who will disagree. -----
and -------it is said that people tend to remember only
10-20% of what they read or hear. ------ That number
rises to as much as 90% when you put theory to
practice. ------ following up explanation with practice is
key to mastering a skill.

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ANSWERS

 In this paragraph, I’m going to discuss a few reasons

why practice is important to mastering skills. Firstly,
the only way to truly learn a skill is by actually doing
what you’ll have to do in the real world. Secondly, I
think practice can be a fun way of putting in the
necessary hours. There are, however, some people who
will disagree. Thirdly, and most importantly, it is
said that people tend to remember only 10-20% of what
they read or hear. Moreover, that number rises to as
much as 90% when you put theory to practice. In
conclusion, following up explanation with practice is
key to mastering a skill.

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Let’s take a test

1. _____________ of the weather, the football game will be played tomorrow.

A. Therefore
B. Regardless
C. In addition
D. Furthermore

2. I dropped my cell phone, and it broke. ____________, I need to either buy a new
one or borrow yours.
A. In spite of
B. Likewise
C. Furthermore
D. Therefore

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3.
I can't help you with your homework because I am not very good at geometry.
__________, I know someone who can.
A. However
B. For example
C. In addition
D. Subsequently
4.
___________ it was raining, I still walked to school.
A. Consequently
B. Furthermore
C. Although
D. Accordingly

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• 5. ______ of her good grades, Rebecca did not get accepted to Stanford.
• A. In addition
• B. In spite
• C. As a result
• D. On the other hand
• 6. Jeremy is very active and enjoys exercising; ______________, Chris sits on
his couch all day playing video games.
• A. Similarly
• B. For example
• C. In addition
• D. On the other hand
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7. My sister is a very kind and generous person. _____________, she helps me
with my homework and drives me to basketball practice.
A. For example
B. Likewise
C. Hence
D. Additionally
8.What type of punctuation can always follow a transitional word or phrase?
A. Period
B. Colon
C. Comma
D. Semicolon

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9. What type of punctuation is missing from the sentence below? Choose the
best answer. I ate five slices of pizza ___ still, I was not full.
A. Period (.)
B. Colon (:)
C. Semicolon (;)
D. Comma (,)
10. Which of the following prepositional phrases cannot be used in the
following sentence? Cathy is sick; ____________, she came to school today.
A. Nevertheless
B. As a result
C. Still
D. Nonetheless 23
ANSWERS

1. Regardless
2. Therefore
3. However
4. although
5. In spite
6. On the other hand
7. For example
8. Comma
9. Semi colon
10. As a result

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PICK THE CORRECT OPTION
1. We have a mouse in the house. Unfortunately/Therefore, we
should get a cat.
2. Megan got into a car accident. Furthermore/As a result, her
insurance rate increased.
3. Michael is very athletic and plays on the school basketball team.
However/In addition, his brother just stays at home and plays
video games all day.
4. There are many occupations today. Such as/For Example, you can
become a doctor, engineer, teacher, artist, athlete, musician, or
chef, just to name a few.

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ANSWERS

1. Therefore

2. As a result

3. However

4. for example

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PICK THE CORRECT OPTION
1. The US government has been spending its money recklessly
for too long. Furthermore/As a result, the plans that Congress
proposes are destined to put the nation at great economic risk
in the future.
2. Getting a college degree is important. In conclusion/More
importantly, building a good network of friends is crucial to
future success.
3. Hawaii is a beautiful place to live. In addition/On the
contrary, Siberia is a very inhospitable location.
4. Eating well will help you live a healthier life. Moreover/As a
result, exercising every day is also highly recommended.

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ANSWERS

1. FURTHERMORE
2. MORE IMPORTANTLY
3. ON THE CONTRARY
4. MORE OVER

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PICK THE CORRECT OPTION
1. Do you enjoy completing these grammar exercises? Then/Yet,
you should be able to improve your writing skills in no time!
2. Without getting a college degree, it will be difficult to get a job.
Moreover/However, some will say, “It’s not what you know, but
who you know.”
3. The economy looks like it is improving. Therefore/However,
with unemployment still very high, we are far from passing
through the recession.
4. Dr. Xavier gave his patients other forms of medical treatment.
In addition/On the contrary, Dr. Magneto’s patients only took
sugar pills. As a result, Dr. Xavier’s patients healed more
quickly than Dr. Magneto’s patients.
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ANSWERS
 THEN
 HOWEVER
 HOWEVER
 ON THE CONTRARY

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