Transition Words Lesson

UM5-‐FLSH-‐RABAT
PR. BELGHITI
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE & LITERATURE S1-‐GRAMMAR 1

Transitions words and Conjunctions : Meaning and Punctuation
Introduction
As a "part of speech" transition words are used to link words, phrases or sentences. They help
the reader to progress from one idea (expressed by the author) to the next idea. Thus, they
help to build up coherent relationships within the text.
This structured list of commonly used English transition words — approximately 200, can be
considered as quasi complete. It can be used (by students and teachers alike) to find the right
expression. English transition words are essential, since they not only connect ideas, but also
can introduce a certain shift, contrast or opposition, emphasis or agreement, purpose, result or
conclusion, etc. in the line of argument.
The transition words and phrases have been assigned only once to somewhat artificial
categories, although some words belong to more than one category.
I. Meanings expressed by the transitions
Agreement / Addition / Similarity

The transition words like also, in addition, and, likewise, add information, reinforce ideas, and
express agreement with preceding material.
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).
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UM5-‐FLSH-‐RABAT PR. BELGHITI

Cause / Condition / Purpose
These transitional phrases present specific conditions or intentions.
Examples / Support / Emphasis

These transitional devices (like especially) are used to introduce examples as support, to
indicate importance or as an illustration so that an idea is cued to the reader.
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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.
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.
3

Time / Chronology / Sequence

These transitional words (like finally) have the function of limiting, restricting, and defining
time. They can be used either alone or as part of adverbial expressions.
Many transition words in the time category (consequently; first, second, third; further; hence;
henceforth; since; then, when; and whenever) have other uses. Except for the numbers (first,
second, third) and further they add a meaning of time in expressing conditions, qualifications,
or reasons. The numbers are also used to add information or list examples. Further is also
used to indicate added space as well as added time.
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II. Types of conjunctions

1. Coordinating Conjunctions and conjunctive adverbs
Coordinating conjunctions join words, phrases, or independent clauses of a sentence together.

They often link similar grammatical parts of a sentence together ( parts of speech + parts of
speech / phrase + phrase / clause + clause ). Here are some example sentences:
1. We went to the park, but we did not have time for the museum.
2. She has to work late tonight, so she cannot make it to party.
3. Let's meet at the beach or in front of the hotel.
4. On Friday night we watched TV and a movie.
In a sentence, Coordinating conjunctions come in between the individual words, phrases,
and independent clauses they are joining.
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2. Subordinating Conjunctions
1. They went running although / even though it was very hot.

2. We went to the beach despite / in spite of the rainy weather.
3. We decided to go to the cinema because / as it was too cold to go to the beach. 4.
Subordinating conjunctions always come at the beginning of a dependent clause. However,
dependent clauses can sometimes come before an independent clause (separated by a
comma). So, we could write the above sentences this way:
1. Although / Even though it was very hot, they went running.
2. Despite / In spite of the rainy weather, we went to the beach.
3. Because / as it was too cold to go to the beach, we decided to go to the cinema.
4. While / Whereas her brother lives in California, Monica lives in New York.
III. Conjunctions and Punctuation
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KIND HOW USED PUNCTUATION
1. Coordinating (CO) Must join equal units such In a series of three or more items
as nouns, adjectives, joined in parallel form by commas, a
adverbs, prepositional comma goes between each of the
phrases, predicates, clauses, items and before the conjunction.
Fanboys - for, and, nor,
or main clauses
but, or, yet, so
Ex. Dogs, children, and clowns
were in the parade.
When joining two main clauses,

always use a comma before the
coordinating conjunction.
Ex. We went on home, for it was

clear that Jerry was not going to
appear.
Do not use a comma before the

conjunction if you are only joining
two predicates.
Ex. He went into the water and sank

to the bottom.
2. Correlative (COR) Used in pairs to join equal No punctuation unless joining two
units (noun to noun, independent clauses
adjective to adjective, etc.)
either...or
Ex. Either your mother or I will pick
neither...nor you up from school.
both...and
not only... but (also) Ex. Either your mother will pick you
up from school, or I will pick you up.
whether...or
3. Subordinating (S) Used to join clauses of When the dependent clause

unequal rank (a dependent introduces the sentence, put a comma
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or subordinate clause to an at the end of the dependent clause.
independent clause)
after provided
although since Ex. After we went to the show, we
went out to eat.
as so that
as if than
No comma is needed if the dependent
as much as till clause comes after the independent
clause.
as long as unless
as soon as until
Ex. We went out to eat after we went
as though whatever
to the show.
because when
before whenever
if where
in order that wherever
lest whether
while
4. Conjunctive Adverb Used to join independent The conjunctive adverb should be

(CA) clauses preceded by a semicolon and
followed by a comma.
accordingly moreover
Ex. My test scores are high;
also consequently, I should go to college.
nevertheless
consequently
nonetheless
furthermore otherwise
hence then
however therefore
instead thus
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UM5-­‐FLSH-­‐RABAT

I. Meanings expressed by the transitions

Agreement / Addition / Similarity

Opposition / Limitation / Contradiction

Cause / Condition / Purpose

These transitional phrases present specific conditions or intentions.

Examples / Support / Emphasis

Effect / Consequence / Result

Conclusion / Summary / Restatement

Time / Chronology / Sequence

II. Types of conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions join words, phrases, or independent clauses of a sentence together.

1. They went running although / even though it was very hot.

III. Conjunctions and Punctuation

When joining two main clauses,

Ex. We went on home, for it was

Do not use a comma before the

Ex. He went into the water and sank

3. Subordinating (S) Used to join clauses of When the dependent clause

4. Conjunctive Adverb Used to join independent The conjunctive adverb should be

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