TRANSITIONAL MARKERS

transition Words and

Expressions
Compiled by Ms. Terri Yueh
Formality Levels for transition Words and Expressions
time
To clarify chronological order

Sentence connector
First, second, third, fourth, ..
Next, last, finally,.
First of all, meanwhile, after that, since then,

subordinator
Before, after, while, until as soon as,
phrases
The first (+N.), the second (+N) before the (+N),
in the year, since the (+N)
Importance
To indicate order of importance:
Ascending order, Descending order,
Equal importance

Sentence connector
More important, most important,
above all
phrases
The most important (+N)






Cause & Effect
To introduce reasons
Coordinator for
Subordinator Because, since, as
Phrases Because of, as a result of, as a consequence of,
due to, to result from, the result of, the effect of A on B,
the consequence of,

To introduce results
Sentence connector Accordingly, as a result,
as a consequence, therefore, thus, consequently, hence,
Coordinator so,
Phrases the cause of the reason for, to result in, to cause,
to have an effect on, to affect



Comparison & Contrast
To introduce a comparison
Sentence connector Similarly, likewise, also, too
Coordinator and
Subordinator as, just as
Phrases like, just as, just like (+N),
be alike, Be similar (to), be the same as,
bothand, not onlybut also,
to compare to, to compare with,
In like manner,

To introduce contrast (strong opposition)
Sentence connector However, in contrast,
in (by) comparison, on the other hand, on the contrary
Coordinator but,
Subordinator while, whereas
Phrases to be different from, to differ from,
To be dissimilar, to be unlike, to compare with,
Alternative & Concession
To introduce an concession
Sentence connector however, nevertheless,
nonetheless, still
Coordinator but, yet
Subordinator although, though, even though
Phases despite + N, in spite of + N

To introduce an alternative
Sentence connector Otherwise
Coordinator Or
Subordinator If, unless

TRANSITIONAL MARKERS
Formality Levels


Formality Levels
Compiled by Ms. Terri Yueh
Formality Levels for transition Words and Expressions
addition
Basic form for informal and formal use
also, first, second, etc.
More formal
additionally, besides, further, furthermore
in addition, last but not least, next,
not only but also, too,
Most formal
equally important, moreover, similarly



Cause & Effect
reasons or results

Basic form for informal and formal use
for, because, then, therefore
More formal
As a result, for this reason, since, thus
Most formal
according, as a consequence of, due to,
to result from, consequently, hence
time
To clarify chronological order

Basic form for informal and formal use
after a while, after that, also, at last, currently, earlier
now, since then, eventually, finally, first, second, etc.
In the future, in the past, next, last, finally
More formal
afterward, at the same time, first of all, meanwhile
formerly, immediately, in the meantime, later
Most formal
concurrently, previously, simultaneously, subsequently
example
Basic form for informal and formal use
for example
More formal
for instance, in other words
Most formal
as an example, as an illustration, to exemplify
comparison
Basic form for informal and formal use
also, like, too
More formal
both . . . and, neither. . . nor,
in the same way, compared to, likewise, as well as
Most formal
by comparison, in common with,
similarly, in like manner
contrast
Basic form for informal and formal use
however
More formal
instead, nevertheless, on the other hand
Most formal
conversely, in contrast to, in opposition to,
on the contrary,otherwise,still whereas
summary--conclusion
Basic form for informal and formal use
finally, therefore
More formal
after all, all in all, at last, briefly
consequently, last, on the whole, in sum, thus
Most formal
accordingly, as a consequence, in brief, in short
in closing, in conclusion, in summary
to conclude, to summarize