In this article, we will be seeing what words can be used as transition words for paragraphs. With transition word examples, we will also see how, why, where and when transition words will be used in sentences and in between paragraphs.
Transition words for paragraphs are words that are utilized to associate thoughts together. They aid in the better comprehension as they keep content flowing. When the thought or the idea is complicated, then, at that point, transition words assist the perusers in clear understanding.
Do go through the following transition words examples.
- 1. Unlike, my sister, my brother is very naughty.
- 2. Present continuous tense is; also, known as the present progressive tense.
- 3. The team worked really hard; yet, they could not win the trophy.
- 4. My mother was cooking; meanwhile, we cleaned the house.
- 5. First and foremost, I thank the manager for motivating me.
- 6. Lokesh drafted a very impressive design and; of course, the design was approved by everyone.
- 7. Due to the heavy rains, the power was cut in the entire city.
- 8. In addition, to the tuition fees, you have to pay the exam fees as well.
- 9. Whenever, Riya comes to Coimbatore, she visits us.
- 10. The final copy of the thesis was ready; however, there are a few corrections to be made.
- 11. Despite, the less time we had, we managed to complete the assignment.
- 12. Subham was very irritated; indeed, quite furious over last evening’s incident.
- 13. My colleagues were late to the promotional interview; furthermore, they have not submitted their reports.
- 14. It is my best friend, Riya’s birthday today and; therefore, I gifted her a wallet.
- 15. Varsha worked very hard and; as a result, she got a promotion recently.
- 16. After, you reach home, please do give me a call.
- 17. We left the function; immediately, after her performance got over.
17 Transition word examples with detailed explanations
Now, let us introspect each sentence and dissect the transition words and phrases used for the connection of related thoughts and ideas.
1. Unlike, my sister, my brother is very naughty.
Unlike is used here as a transition word to show the contrast between my sister and my brother.
2. Present continuous tense is; also, known as the present progressive tense.
Also is used here as a transition word to show the additional name of present continuous tense.
3. The team worked really hard; yet, they could not win the trophy.
Yet is used here as a transition word to denote the contrast between working hard and not winning the trophy.
4. My mother was cooking; meanwhile, we cleaned the house.
Meanwhile is used here as a transition word to link the two thoughts with the help of time.
5. First and foremost, I thank the manager for motivating me.
First and foremost is used here as the transition word to denote the order and hierarchy.
6. Lokesh drafted a very impressive design and; of course, the design was approved by everyone.
Of course is used here as a transition word and it emphasizes on the impressive design and everyone approving the design.
7. Due to the heavy rains, the power was cut in the entire city.
Due is used here as a transition word to show the reason why there is no power in the city.
8. In addition, to the tuition fees, you have to pay the exam fees as well.
In addition is used here as a transition word to show the total amount of fees to be paid along with the tuition fees.
9. Whenever, Riya comes to Coimbatore, she visits us.
Whenever is used here as a transition word to denote every time Riya comes to Coimbatore and visits us.
10. The final copy of the thesis was ready; however, there are a few corrections to be made.
However is used here as a transition word to show the contrast between the final copy being ready and a few corrections that have to be yet made.
11. Despite, the less time we had, we managed to complete the assignment.
Despite is used here as the transition word to show the contrast of having less time and completing the assignment.
12. Subham was very irritated; indeed, quite furious over last evening’s incident.
Indeed is used here as transition word to emphasize the furious and irritated mood of Shubham.
13. My colleagues were late to the promotional interview; furthermore, they have not submitted their reports.
Furthermore is used here as a transition word to show the additional thing of the colleagues not coming to the interview on time along with not submitting the reports.
14. It is my best friend, Riya’s birthday today and; therefore, I gifted her a wallet.
Therefore is used here as the transition word to show why I gifted my best friend.
15. Varsha worked very hard and; as a result, she got a promotion recently.
‘As a result’ is used here as the transition word to show the result of the Varshas’ hard work and achievement of getting a promotion.
16. After, you reach home, please do give me a call.
After is the transition word used here to denote the time. It tells us how the word after is used to link two closely related ideas.
17. We left the function; immediately, after her performance got over.
‘Immediately’ is the transition word used to emphasize the time when we left the function.
Can transition words be in the middle of a sentence?
Yes, of course, transition words can be placed in the middle of a sentence. When there are two ideas in a sentence and when they have to be connected, then the transition words are mostly placed in between the two thoughts. In such cases, transition words are present in the middle of the sentence to show the transition or connection between the thoughts.
Example: You can go out for playing; provided, you complete all your homework.
‘Provided’ is utilized in this sentence as a transition word. It is present in the middle of the sentence as it links or connects the two thoughts of ‘going out to play’ and ‘completing all the homework’. The transition word ‘provided’ is used to tell the condition for going out for playing.
Can transition words start a sentence?
Yes, indeed, transition words can start a sentence. When the connection has to made with the previous sentence or paragraph, then the transition word will be used in the starting of a sentence. All things considered, the transition words help in the simple progression of the thoughts starting with one sentence then onto the next or starting with one section then onto the next.
Example: Rihu is a disciplined girl. Even though, she is disciplined, she is a little lazy.
‘Even though’ is utilized as a transition word in this sentence. It is present in the starting of the second sentence as it is the connector that links the thought in first sentence and the thought in the second sentence. The transition word ‘even though’ starts the second sentence and it shows the contrast between the two sentences. It denotes being disciplined and being lazy at the same time.
How to write transition words?
The transition words do the work of a bridge by connecting complicating ideas or thoughts to make them simple and easy to understand. They can be used or written at the beginning, middle or end of a sentence or a paragraph based on what they are linking. What transition word must be used when is dependent on the reason why we need to use them.
Example: The exam result will be out today and; undoubtedly, Ramya will get the first rank.
Undoubtedly is used as the transition word in the middle of the sentence to stress that Ramya will be the first rank holder.
Example: Before, you start from home, do not forget to call me.
Before is utilized in the beginning of this sentence as a transition word to denote the time. Thus, the transition word ‘before’ helps in connecting two sentences.
Example: The flight was delayed; so, I was late to the meeting.
So is the transition word used here in the middle of the sentence to denote the cause and effect. ‘The flight was delayed’ is the cause and ‘I was late to the meeting’ is the effect.
Are transition words necessary?
Transition words are definitely necessary to maintain the cohesion and coherence. It is these transition words that are responsible for the transition in the thoughts and ideas within sentences and paragraphs and also between sentences and paragraphs. They are responsible for lucid understanding.
Example:
Paragraph A: States the pros of using social media
Transition: Despite, the previously mentioned pros, there are various points to state why social media should not be used.
Paragraph B: States the cons of using social media
In the above example, the A paragraph consists of points that states the pros of using social media and the B paragraph consists of points that states the cons of using social media. Thus, to link these two paragraphs, the transition sentence is used in between these paragraphs. ‘Despite’ is the transition word used to connect the two different paragraphs with two different ideas to maintain the flow of thought.
Do transition words need commas?
Yes, the commas should be used after the transition word in a sentence while, semicolons should be used before the transition word in a sentence. Commas are used after the transition words to separate the ideas or thoughts they are linking or connecting.
Example: Rahul missed the school bus and; therefore, he was late to school.
‘Therefore’ is utilized here as the transition word used to state the reason or cause for Rahul being late to school. Comma is used after the transition word ‘therefore’ to separate the two thoughts it is linking (the cause and the effect)
Transition words types
1. Coordinating transition words- used to show similarity, contrast and restate
Example: Pihu is mostly well behaved; however, she can be naughty at times.
However is utilized here as the transition word to balance the opposites in Pihu’s behaviour.
2. Subordinating transition words – used to show illustrations, examples, causality, conclusion and concession
Example: There was a sudden downpour and; therefore, the match was postponed.
Therefore, is the transition word used here to show the causality of why the match was postponed.
3. Temporal transition words – used to show time, frequency, duration and to introduce beginning, middle and end
Example: During my stay in Paris, I visited Eiffel Tower almost ten times.
During is used here as the transition word to state the time duration of me visiting Eiffel Tower.
4. Spatial transition words – used to show direction and distance
Example: Maya looked away from the screen for it was scary.
Away from, is the transition word used here to denote the direction by connecting two ideas.
5. Addition transition words – used to show addition, similarity and agreement
Example: I like tea; similarly, my sister likes it as well.
Similarly is utilized here as the transition word to depict the likeness between me and my sister.
Hence, transition words play an important role in connecting two or more related but separate clauses or paragraphs for a comprehensive understanding.
Hi… I am Sowndharya Jagadeeswaran, a university rank holder in M.A. English Literature. I have also done my master’s in Business Administration. Inquisitive as I am, my interest in action-oriented research helped me publish research papers in reputed journals. Now, as a career, I am an instructor where I teach young and adorable students the intricate technicalities of Public Speaking and Creative Writing. I also enjoy writing articles on topics I specialize and research in.
You can connect with me through LinkedIn.-
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