Using Transition Words and Phrases Effectively

Transitions are words or phrases that connect two ideas. Transitions help your reader follow your line of thought. You can use transitions to add information, contrast ideas, or show cause and effect. A transition usually connects two sentences or independent clauses. When it connects two sentences, use a period. When it connects two independent clauses, use a semicolon (;). When it begins a sentence or clause, use a comma after the transition.

Adding Information with Transitions

You can use transitional words such as the conjunctive adverbs also and furthermore to add information to a statement.

More people are being born than are dying. Also, people are living longer. The building will have 180 floors; furthermore, it will have stores and cinemas.

Like other adverbs, a conjunctive adverb can be used in different places in a sentence. When it is used mid-sentence, a comma is not used. However, there are exceptions. Note that a comma comes before and after furthermore.

More people are being born than are dying. People are also living longer. The building will have 180 floors; it will, furthermore, have stores and cinemas.

You can also use the transitional phrases in addition and as well to add information to a statement. These can come at the beginning or end of a sentence or clause.

Cars will go faster and brake by themselves. In addition, they will have computers. Mars is not a friendly environment; there is no breathable oxygen on it as well.

Using Transitions to Show Contrast

The following transitions contrast two ideas. Note that the transitional phrase on the other hand is often used with on the one hand.

• There are no fire-fighting robots yet. Instead, humans still fight fires.
• Mars isn't a friendly environment; on the contrary, it's very unfriendly.
• On the one hand, there are few new lands to explore. On the other hand, there are new worlds, new planets, and new galaxies.

Showing Cause and Effect with Transitions

You can use the following transitions to show cause and effect. Remember that transitions can begin a sentence or can be used after a semicolon.

• NASA has much more to discover about Mars. As a result, research continues.
• The air is poisonous on Mars; therefore, giant domes will have to be built.
• The domes will control the atmosphere. Thus, all food will have to be grown in them.
• NASA's hypersonic plane will be able to fly five times faster than the speed of sound. Consequently, it will be able to fly to outer space.