Transition (linguistics)

A transition or linking word is a word or phrase that shows the relationship between paragraphs or sections of a text or speech. Transitions provide greater cohesion by making it more explicit or signaling how ideas relate to one another. Transitions are, in fact, "bridges" that "carry a reader from section to section". Transitions guide a reader/listener through steps of logic, increments of time, or through physical space. Transitions "connect words and ideas so that [...] readers don't have to do the mental work for [themselves]."

Transitions reveal the internal structure of an author's reasoning. While they are used primarily for rhetoric, they are also used in a strictly grammatical sense for structural composition, reasoning, and comprehension. Indeed, they are an essential part of any language.

In simple terms, a transition word demonstrates the relationship between two portions of a text or spoken language. By using these words, people can better build a sentence and convey what they are trying to say in a more concise manner.

Categories
Transition words and phrases categories include: Conclusion, Continuation, Contrast, Emphasis, Evidence, Illustration and Sequence. Each category serves its own function, as do the keywords inside of a given category.

Coordinating transitions
Elements in a coordinate relationship are equal in rank, quality, or significance. They help to show a link between equal elements.
 * To show similarity or reinforce: also, and, as well as, by the same token, comparatively, correspondingly, coupled with, equally, equally important, furthermore, identically, in the light of, in the same fashion/way, likewise, moreover, not only... but also, not to mention, similarly, to say nothing of, together with, too, uniquely
 * To introduce an opposing point: besides, but, however, in contrast, neither, nevertheless, nor, on the contrary, on the other hand, still, yet
 * To signal a restatement: in other words, in simpler terms, indeed, that is, to put it differently

Subordinating transitions

 * To introduce an item in a series: finally, first, for another, for one thing, in addition, in the first place, in the second place, last, next, second, then
 * To introduce an example: for example, for instance, in particular, namely, specifically, that is
 * To show causality: accordingly, as a result, because, consequently, for, hence, since, so, then, therefore, thus
 * To introduce a summary or conclusion: actually, all in all, altogether, clearly, evidently, finally, in conclusion, of course, to sum up
 * To signal a concession: certainly, granted, it is true, naturally, of course, to be sure
 * To resume main argument after a concession: all the same, even though, nevertheless, nonetheless, still

Temporal transitions

 * To show frequency: again and again, day after day, every so often, frequently, hourly, now and then, occasionally, often
 * To show duration: briefly, during, for a long time, minute by minute, while
 * To show a particular time: at six o'clock, at that time, first thing in the morning, in 1999, in the beginning of August, in those days, last Sunday, next Christmas, now, then, two months ago, when
 * To introduce a beginning: at first, before then, in the beginning, since
 * To introduce a middle: as it was happening, at that moment, at the same time, in the meantime, meanwhile, next, simultaneously, then
 * To signal an end (or beyond): afterward/afterwards, at last, eventually, finally, in the end, later

Spatial transitions

 * To show closeness: adjacent to, alongside, close to, facing, near, next to, side by side
 * To show long distance: away, beyond, far, in the distance, there
 * To show direction: above, across, along, away from, behind, below, down, in front of, inside, outside, sideways, to the left, to the right, toward/towards, up

Transition words of agreement, addition, or similarity
The transition words, such as also, in addition, and likewise, add information, reinforce ideas, and express agreement with preceding material.


 * additionally
 * again
 * also
 * and
 * as
 * as a matter of fact
 * as well as
 * by the same token
 * comparatively
 * correspondingly
 * coupled with
 * equally
 * equally important
 * first
 * furthermore
 * identically
 * in addition
 * in like manner
 * in the first place
 * in the light of
 * in the same fashion/way
 * like
 * likewise
 * moreover
 * not only ... but also
 * not to mention
 * of course
 * second
 * similarly
 * then
 * third
 * to
 * to say nothing of
 * together with
 * too
 * uniquely
 * what's more