Agreement / Addition / Similarity 

The transition words like also, in addition, and, likewise, add information, reinforce ideas, and express agreement with preceding material. 

  in the first place 

not only ... but also 

as a matter of fact 

in like manner 

in addition 

coupled with 

in the same fashion / way 

first, second, third 

in the light of 

not to mention 

to say nothing of 

equally important 

by the same token 

again 

to 

and 

also 

then 

equally 

identically 

uniquely 

like 

as 

too 

moreover 

as well as 

together with 

of course 

likewise 

comparatively 

correspondingly 

similarly 

furthermore 

additionally 

Opposition / Limitation / Contradiction 

Transition phrases like but, rather and or, express that there is evidence to the contrary or point out alternatives, and thus introduce a change the line of reasoning (contrast). 

 although this may be true 

in contrast 

different from 

of course ..., but 

on the other hand 

on the contrary 

at the same time 

in spite of 

even so / though 

be that as it may 

then again 

above all 

in reality 

after all 

but 

(and) still 

unlike 

or 

(and) yet 

while 

albeit 

besides 

as much as 

even though 

although 

instead 

whereas 

despite 

conversely 

otherwise 

however 

rather 

nevertheless 

nonetheless 

regardless 

notwithstanding  

Cause / Condition / Purpose 

These transitional phrases present specific conditions or intentions. 

  in the event that 

granted (that) 

as / so long as 

on (the) condition (that) 

for the purpose of 

with this intention 

with this in mind 

in the hope that 

to the end that 

for fear that 

in order to 

seeing / being that 

in view of 

If 

... then 

unless 

when 

whenever 

while 

because of 

as 

since 

while 

lest 

in case 

provided that 

given that 

only / even if 

so that 

so as to 

owing to 

inasmuch as 

due to 

Examples / Support / Emphasis 

These transitional devices (like especially) are used to introduce examples assupport, to indicate importance or as an illustration so that an idea is cued to the reader. 

 in other words 

to put it differently 

for one thing 

as an illustration 

in this case 

for this reason 

to put it another way 

that is to say 

with attention to 

by all means 

important to realize 

another key point 

first thing to remember 

most compelling evidence 

must be remembered 

point often overlooked 

to point out 

on the positive side 

on the negative side 

with this in mind 

notably 

including 

like 

to be sure 

namely 

chiefly 

truly 

indeed 

certainly 

surely 

markedly 

such as 

especially 

explicitly 

specifically 

expressly 

surprisingly 

frequently 

significantly 

particularly 

in fact 

in general 

in particular 

in detail 

for example 

for instance 

to demonstrate 

to emphasize 

to repeat 

to clarify 

to explain 

to enumerate 

Effect / Consequence / Result 

Some of these transition words (thus, then, accordingly, consequently, therefore, henceforth) are time words that are used to show that after a particular time there was a consequence or an effect. 

Note that for and because are placed before the cause/reason. The other devices are placed before the consequences or effects. 

  as a result 

under those circumstances 

in that case 

for this reason 

in effect 

for 

thus 

because the 

then 

hence 

consequently 

therefore 

thereupon 

forthwith 

accordingly 

henceforth 

Conclusion / Summary / Restatement 

These transition words and phrases conclude, summarize and / or restate ideas, or indicate a final general statement. Also some words (like therefore) from the Effect / Consequence category can be used to summarize. 

as can be seen 

generally speaking 

in the final analysis 

all things considered 

as shown above 

in the long run 

given these points 

as has been noted 

in a word 

for the most part 

after all 

in fact 

in summary 

in conclusion 

in short 

in brief 

in essence 

to summarize 

on balance 

altogether 

overall 

ordinarily 

usually 

by and large 

to sum up 

on the whole 

in any event 

in either case 

all in all 

Obviously 

Ultimately 

Definitely