Linking & Transitional
words and phrases
to indicate sequence or order
• TO INTRODUCE THE INITIAL POINT – First of all, ….
To begin with,
To start with, …
• TO LIST IDEAS SEQUENTIALLY - first /second / third
In the first place / in the second place / in the third place
furthermore / finally / lastly / last but not least
• TO INTRODUCE AS A RESULT - accordingly, consequently, so,
therefore, thus, as a result, due to this
• simultaneously
• at this point
• followed by
• subsequently
• ultimately
• concurrently
• next
to introduce an additional idea
• additionally / in addition
• besides
• Further / furthermore
• Moreover
• What is more
• not only . . . but also
• equally important
• and / and then
• as well as
• not to mention
• another
to show agreement
• of course
• admittedly
• it is true that …
• certainly
• no doubt
to indicate time
• after, / afterwards / later
• earlier / prior to
• previously
• finally
• at this point / at this time / currently
• immediately
• then / soon / in the future
• before
• initially
• thereafter
• during /meanwhile /
• to this day
• eventually
• subsequently
to indicate place
• Above
• in front
• adjacent
• in the background
• at the side
• in the foreground
• behind
• there
• below
• to the left
• elsewhere
• to the right
• here
to give an example
• for example
• for instance
• take the case of
• one example of this is ..
• to demonstrate
• to illustrate
• as an illustration
to clarify, to reformulate
• for instance
• in other words
• put another way
• to put it more simply
• to put it differently
• that is
• that is to say
• in that case
• In essence
to compare
• another way to view this
• just like
• similarly
• likewise
• whereas
• by comparison / in comparison
• Comparatively
• In the same way
• equally
• like
• While
• Just like[A], B is …
to contrast
• But
• Although
• however
• a different view is
• nevertheless
• notwithstanding
• balanced against
• in contrast / by contrast
• on the contrary
• (on the one hand) . . . on the other hand
• yet
• differing from
• unlike
• conversely
to show important points
• More importantly, ..
• Equally important
• What’s more ….
• Above all else, …
• Above all
• Most of all
to emphasize a point
• obviously
• truly
• surely
• undoubtedly / without doubt
• as a matter of fact
• indeed
• for this reason
• to emphasize
• particularly
• more important(ly) / most important(ly)
to show that ideas are alike
• equally
• likewise
• similarly
• in the same way
• correspondingly
to introduce an opposite to show an exception
idea
• aside from
• alternatively • beside
• in contrast • except
• on the other hand • excepting
• but • excluding
• instead • exclusive of
• whereas • other than
• nevertheless • outside of
• however
• one could also say
• yet
to show cause and effect
• and so
• consequently
• therefore
• as a consequence
• for this reason
• thus
• as a result
• hence
to show condition or manner
• apparently
• supposedly
• as
• as if
• as though
• if
• In as much as
• provided that
• so that
• unless
• whenever
• whether
to show concession
• although
• even if / even / even though-
• though
• In spite of
• despite
• and yet
• Admittedly
• Naturally, it is true that …
• of course, it is true that …
• notwithstanding
• to be sure
• granted that
to generalize
• as a rule
• as usual
• for the most part,
• generally
• generally speaking
• ordinarily
• usually
to conclude to summarize
• as a result
• in conclusion / in brief / in
short
• therefore
• In summary
• as shown • to summarise
• in other words • summing up
• thus • By and large
• consequently • On the whole
• to conclude
• finally
• hence
• ultimately
Confused? Practice makes perfect …
