English 112
Home Page

Anything that helps to bind individual sentences into a cohesive unity is a transitional device. There are many ways to indicate transition. Sometimes repeating a key word will connect ideas. Sometimes you will need to use a transitional word:

To indicate ADDITION:
moreover, further, furthermore, besides, and then, likewise, also nor, too, again, in addition, equally important, next, first, second third, in the first place, in the second place, finally, lastly

To indicate COMPARISON:
similarly, likewise, in a like manner

To indicate CONTRAST:
but, yet, and yet, however, still nevertheless, on the other hand, in opposition, on the contrary, even so, notwithstanding, for all that, in contrast, at the same time, although this may be true

To indicate PURPOSE:
to this end, for this purpose, with this object

To indicate RESULT:
hence, therefore, accordingly, consequently, thus, thereupon, as a result, then

To indicate SUMMARY, REPETITION, EXEMPLIFICATION, or INTENSIFICATION:
to sum up, in brief, on the whole, in sum, in short, as I have said, in other words, that is, to be sure, as has been noted, for example, for instance, in fact, indeed, to tell the truth, in any event

To indicate TIME:
meanwhile, at length, soon, after a few days, in the meantime, afterward, later, now, in the past

To indicate PLACE:
here, beyond, nearby, opposite to, adjacent to, on the opposite side

Try to vary your transitional devices; place them in various positions in your sentences. Be sure that your transitional word accurately conveys the relationship between your ideas.

Important grammatical note:
"Although" and "However" are NOT interchangeable grammatically, though their meanings are similar. "Although" SUBORDINATES the clause that follows; "However" does not. Thus:
Correct:
The grammar was difficult, although she got it right.
The grammar was difficult. However, she got it right.
Incorrect:
The grammar was difficult. Although, she got it right. (The second sentence is a sentence fragment.)
The grammar was difficult, however she got it right. (The sentence is a comma splice.)