Transitional Words

How To Use

and, or, nor,

else, moreover

furthermore, indeed

in fact,

first, second…

Use these when adding something.

These can be a good sentence opener, when used with care.

for instance

for example

for one thing,

similarly

Use these when adding to and expanding on a point.

therefore, there, so,

and so, hence

consequently

finally, on the whole,

all in all,

in other words, in short

Use these when adding up consequences, summarizing major points to emphasize a major point.

frequently, occasionally,

in particular, in general

specifically,

especially, usually

Use these when adding a qualifying point or illustration.

of course,

no doubt,

doubtless

to be sure,

granted (that),

certainly

Use these when conceding a point to the opposition or recognizing a point just off the main line.

buy

however,

yet

not at all

surely

on the contrary

Use these to reverse or deflect the line of thought, usually back to your own side.

still,

nevertheless,

notwithstanding

These are used to return the thought to your own side after a concession.

although,

though

whereas

Use these when attaching a concession to one of your points.  Do not use while for whereas; while  basically means during the time that and is less ambiguous unless restricted to time. 

because

since, for

Use these to connect a reason to an assertion.

if, provided,

in case

unless, lest,

when

Use these when qualifying and restricting a more general idea.

as if,

as though

even if

Use these when glancing at tentative or hypothetical conditions that strengthen and clarify your point

this, that, these, those,

who, whom, he, she

if, they, all of them, few,

many, most, several

These relative and demonstrative words (adjectives and pronouns) tie things together, pointing back as they carry the reference ahead.  Be sure there can be no mistaking the specific word to which each refers.