Transitional Words and Phrases*
DePauw University Writing Center 

Transitional words and phrases link one idea to another, bringing unity to a piece of writing.  The following list includes some of the mostly commonly used transitions; they are divided into categories that reflect the relationship between ideas: 

To Show Time

after, afterward, always, as soon as, as last, at once, briefly, eventually, finally, first (second, third, fourth…), immediately, in the meantime, in the past (future), last, later, meanwhile, next, never, now, often, once, promptly, sometime, soon, suddenly, then 

To Show Place

above, among, around, at this point, behind, below, beside, beyond, down, forward, from here, in front of, inside, nearby, next to, on, on the other side, opposite, out, outside, over, through, to, under 

To Add an Idea

again, also, and, as well as, besides, finally, first, for one thing, further, furthermore, in addition, last, likewise, more, moreover, next, now, similarly, too 

To Illustrate or Explain an Idea

for example, for instance, in other words, in particular, namely, specifically, such as, that is, thus, to illustrate 

To Compare or Contrast Ideas

although, as, as if, but conversely, despite, even so, however, in contrast, in spite of, instead of, in the same way, likewise, nevertheless, now, on the contrary, on the other hand, otherwise, still, though, unlike, whereas, while, yet 

To Exclude an Idea

apart from, barring, but except, excluding, instead, instead of, outside of, rather, ruling out 

To Show a Conditional Idea (one idea dependent on another)

as long as, in case of, if, provided that, unless, whether, with, without

 To Show a Result

accordingly, as a result, because, consequently, for that reason, hence, so, then, therefore, thus 

To Emphasize an Idea

above all, certainly, especially, indeed, in fact, most important, particularly

 To Summarize an Idea

as has been noted, finally, in brief, in other words, in short, on the whole, ultimately