Transitions (Signal Words)

Transition signals

Transition (Signal Words): Connect words or phrases Act as signposts Strengthen the internal cohesion

Three types of Transition signals - transition phrases - conjunctive adverbs 1. Sentence Connectors 2. Clause connectors 3. Others coordinating conjunctions subordinating conjunctions

1. Sentence Connectors (transition phrases & conjunctive adverbs) Appear in the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence. A coma is needed. Example: For example, the Baltic Sea (, for example) in Northern Europe is only one-fourth as saline as the Rea Sea in the Middle East (, for example).

Conjunction Adverbs: Often used with a semicolon and a comma to join two independent clauses. Examples: In warm climate zones, water evaporates rapidly; therefore, its net profit declined. Some English words do not have exact equivalents in other languages; for example, there is no German word for the adjective fair, as in fair play.

2. Clause Connectors Coordinating conjunctions Used with a comma to join two independent clauses and to form a compound sentence. Examples: In a matriarchy, the mother is the head of the family, and all of the children belong to her clan. In warm climate zones, water evaporates, so the concentration of salt is greater.

Yet and But: Yet and But an opposite idea is coming. Yet: preferred when the 2nd clause is an unexpected or surprising contrast to the 1st clause. But: preferred when the 2 clauses are direct oppositions. Yet is similar in meaning to “nevertheless”. But is similar to “however”. Examples: Thomas Edison dropped out of school at age 12, yet he became a famous inventor. I want to study art, but my parents want me to become an engineer.

Subordinating conjunctions Used to introduce a dependent clause, which is joined to form a complex sentence. Position: use a comma if the DC comes before the IC; do not use a comma if the DC comes after the IC. Examples: Although the company’s sale increased last year, its net profit declined. The company’s net profit declined last year although its sales increased.

3. Others Indicating transition: additional (adj.); despite (prep.); examples (n.). Examples: An additional reason for the firm’s bankruptcy was the lack of competent management. Examples of vocabulary differences between British and American English include petrol/gasoline, windscreen/windshield, and lorry/truck. Despite increased sales, the company’s profit declined last quarter.

Common Transition Signals

To introduce an opposite idea, and to contrast things Meaning / function Sentence connectors Clause connectors Others (adj, verb, prep) Coordinators Subordinators To introduce a similar additional idea also besides furthermore in addition moreover too and nor (and not) another an additional To compare things likewise similarly both…and not only…but also neither…nor as just as as…as like/alike just like similar to be alike be similar To introduce an opposite idea, and to contrast things however in contrast instead in/by comparison nevertheless on the other hand on the contrary still but yet although even though though whereas while despite in spite of compared to/with be different (from) be dissimilar be unlike differ (from)

to introduce an alternative Meaning / function Sentence connectors Clause connectors Others (adj, verb, prep) Coordinators Subordinators To introduce an example For example For instance In this case such as like an example of to demonstrate take the case of To emphasize In fact To explain and restate Indeed (really, certainly) That is to introduce an alternative otherwise or If unless

Meaning / function Sentence connectors Clause connectors Others (adj, verb, prep) Coordinators Subordinators To indicate time thereafter then soon at that time at this point Immediately before, after during prior to formerly finally Previously To signal chronological order first, second, then, next… first of all, now, soon last, finally meanwhile gradually after that since then after as as soon as before since until when while the first, the second the next, the last, the final before lunch after the war since 1990 in the year 2008 (any time expression)

Meaning / function Sentence connectors Clause connectors Others (adj, verb, prep) Coordinators Subordinators To indicate order of important above all first and foremost more/most importantly/ significantly primarily a more important the most important the second most significant the primary To introduce a cause or reason consequently therefore for this purpose for because since as result from be the result of due to because of the effect of the consequence of as a result of as a consequence of

Meaning / function Sentence connectors Clause connectors Others (adj, verb, prep) Coordinators Subordinators To introduce an effect or result Accordingly As a result As a consequence Consequently Hence, thus Therefore so result in cause have an effect on affect the cause of the reason for To conclude All in all In brief In conclusion In short In summary In deed accordingly It is clear that… We can see that… The evidence suggests that… These examples show that…

Sample Text Sample text: http://www.lc.unsw.edu.au/onlib/trans1.html