Transition Words and Phrases (adapted from Ploeger, 2000)
To signal a sequence:
- From then on...
- Before long...
- During... (the next time frame)
- In the past...
- A year later...
- For the past six months...
- In 1901...
- As soon as...
- Meanwhile...
- While in... While at...
- Next...
- First... Second... (etc.)
To make comparisons:
To show contrasts:
- It may be true that..., but....
- Despite the..., many...
- Ideally, (summarize ideas from preceding paragraph); however...
- Instead of...
- Even though...
- Of course,..., but...
- Unlike...
To extend an idea or add examples:
- To add to the difficulties...
- Just as important as...
- Other (summarize ideas from preceding paragraph)...
- Another...
- Of course...
To indicate a dramatic shift in thinking:
- ...; however...
- Nonetheless...
- But...
- ..., but...
To conclude or summarize:
- Again...
- Finally...
- Of course...
- Nevertheless...
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