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Transitions are useful for tying ideas together in a coherent way. The following lists of common transition words and phrases are organized by purpose:

Listing Arguments

first, second, third

first, furthermore, finally

to begin, to conclude

first, next

first of all, last of all

Reinforcing Ideas

also

furthermore

moreover

what is more

in addition

besides

above all

as well as

as well

in the same way

not only ... but also

Expressing Similarity

equally

likewise

similarly

correspondingly

Providing Examples

for example (e.g.)

that is (i.e.)

for instance

as follows:

in this case

namely

in other words

to illustrate

illustration

such as

including

Presenting Results or Conclusions

so

therefore

as a result

as a consequence

accordingly

consequently

because of this

because of that

thus

hence

for this reason

for that reason

so that

in that case

under these circumstances

Generalizing Points

in general

generally

on the whole

as a rule

for the most part

in most cases

usually

Highlighting Key Ideas

in particular

particularly

especially

mainly

Reformulating concepts

in other words

rather

to put it more simply

Expressing alternatives

alternatively

rather

on the other hand

in the same way

Transitioning to a New Point

now

as far as ____ is concerned

with regard to

with reference to

as for

it follows that

turning to

Summarizing

in conclusion

to conclude

in brief

to summarize

overall

therefore

Deducing

then

in other words

in that case

otherwise

this implies that

if so

if not

Stating the Obvious

obviously

clearly

naturally

of course

as can be expected

surely

after all

the alternative is

another possibility would be

Contrasting Ideas

instead

conversely

in the contrary

in contrast

in comparison

but, yet

however

despite, still

unline

on the other hand

even though

difference between

although

Conceeding Points

however

even though

however much

nevertheless

still

yet

Time References

before, during, after

until, then

previously, at present

often, frequently

now, soon, later

as

when

Cause and Effect

because

because of

since

leads to

cause

caused

effects

as as result

result

result in

reason

if ... then

therefore

so

thus