TRANSITIONAL MARKERSTRANSITIONAL MARKERS

transition Words and transition Words and ExpressionsExpressions

Compiled by Ms. Terri Yueh

Formality Levels for transition Words and Expressions

time

To clarify chronological order

Sentence connectorFirst, second, third, fourth, …..

Next, last, finally,….First of all, meanwhile, after that, since then,

subordinator

Before, after, while, until as soon as, phrases

The first (+N.), the second (+N) before the (+N),in the year, since the (+N)

Importance

To indicate order of importance: Ascending order, Descending

order, Equal importance

Sentence connectorMore important, most important,

above all phrases

The most important (+N)

Cause & Effect

To introduce reasons Coordinator for

Subordinator Because, since, as Phrases Because of, as a result of, as a consequence

of, due to, to result from, the result of, the effect of A on B,

the consequence of,

To introduce results Sentence connector Accordingly, as a result,

as a consequence, therefore, thus, consequently, hence, Coordinator so,

Phrases the cause of the reason for, to result in, to cause, to have an effect on, to affect

Comparison & ContrastTo introduce a comparison

Sentence connector Similarly, likewise, also, too Coordinator and

Subordinator as, just as Phrases like, just as, just like (+N), be alike, Be similar (to), be the same as,

both…and, not only…but also, to compare to, to compare with,

In like manner,

To introduce contrast (strong opposition) Sentence connector However, in contrast,

in (by) comparison, on the other hand, on the contrary Coordinator but,

Subordinator while, whereas Phrases to be different from, to differ from,To be dissimilar, to be unlike, to compare with,

Alternative & Concession

To introduce an concession Sentence connector however, nevertheless, nonetheless, still Coordinator but, yet Subordinator although, though, even though Phases despite + N, in spite of + N

To introduce an alternative Sentence connector Otherwise Coordinator Or Subordinator If, unless

TRANSITIONAL MARKERSTRANSITIONAL MARKERSFormality LevelsFormality Levels

Formality LevelsFormality Levels

Compiled by Ms. Terri Yueh

Formality Levels for transition Words and Expressions

addition

Basic form for informal and formal usealso, first, second, etc.

More formaladditionally, besides, further, furthermore

in addition, last but not least, next,not only… but also, too,

Most formalequally important, moreover, similarly

Cause & Effect

reasons or results

Basic form for informal and formal usefor, because, then, therefore

More formalAs a result, for this reason, since, thus

Most formalaccording, as a consequence of, due to,

to result from, consequently, hence

time

To clarify chronological order

Basic form for informal and formal useafter a while, after that, also, at last, currently,

earliernow, since then, eventually, finally, first, second, etc.

In the future, in the past, next, last, finally More formal

afterward, at the same time, first of all, meanwhileformerly, immediately, in the meantime, later

Most formalconcurrently, previously, simultaneously,

subsequently

example

Basic form for informal and formal usefor example

More formalfor instance, in other words

Most formalas an example, as an illustration, to exemplify

comparison

Basic form for informal and formal usealso, like, too

More formalboth . . . and, neither. . . nor,

in the same way, compared to, likewise, as well as

Most formal by comparison, in common with,

similarly, in like manner

contrast

Basic form for informal and formal usehowever

More formalinstead, nevertheless, on the other hand

Most formal conversely, in contrast to, in opposition to,

on the contrary,otherwise,still whereas

summary--conclusion

Basic form for informal and formal usefinally, therefore

More formalafter all, all in all, at last, briefly

consequently, last, on the whole, in sum, thus

Most formal accordingly, as a consequence, in brief, in

shortin closing, in conclusion, in summary

to conclude, to summarize