Transition (linguistics)

Concept in linguistics

A transition or linking word is a word or phrase that shows the relationship between paragraphs or sections of a text or speech.[1] Transitions provide greater cohesion by making it more explicit or signaling how ideas relate to one another.[1] Transitions are, in fact, "bridges" that "carry a reader from section to section".[1] Transitions guide a reader/listener through steps of logic, increments of time, or through physical space. Transitions "connect words and ideas so that [...] readers don't have to do the mental work for [themselves]."[2]

Transitions reveal the internal structure of an author's reasoning. While they are used primarily for rhetoric, they are also used in a strictly grammatical sense for structural composition, reasoning, and comprehension. Indeed, they are an essential part of any language.

In simple terms, a transition word demonstrates the relationship between two portions of a text or spoken language. By using these words, people can better build a sentence and convey what they are trying to say in a more concise manner.[3]

## Categories

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Transition words and phrases categories include: Conclusion, Continuation, Contrast, Emphasis, Evidence, Illustration and Sequence. Each category serves its own function, as do the keywords inside of a given category.

Type | Signals | Examples

|
|

Conclusion or Causality | a summation of information  | therefore; thus; in conclusion; believes; so; consequently; it can be seen that; can conclude that; claims that; all in all;
Continuation  | more support for the same claim is coming up  | and; also; moreover; furthermore; plus; in addition; at the same time; as well as; equally;besides; what is more; both...and; equally important; not only...but also
Contrast | a comparison of similarities and differences  | but; despite; yet; however; alternatively; still; although; unless; otherwise; not; though; while; nevertheless; by contrast; notwithstanding; rather; conversely; in spite of; on the other hand; contrarily
Emphasis | what is considered important  | I think; above all; essentially; clearly; most of all; especially; primarily; particularly; in large measure; indeed;
Evidence | an upcoming background  | because; for; since; the reason is that;
Illustration/Exemplification | an example is being given as support for a claim.  | for example; for instance; specifically; to illustrate; such as; In the words of; To "name"; For "name"; According to "name"; as "name" says,;
Sequence  | there is a structure or order that has been formulated in the writing  | Firstly,...,Secondly,...Thirdly,...Lastly; Next; Finally; On the one hand; Recently;

[4][5]

### Coordinating transitions

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Elements in a coordinate relationship are equal in rank, quality, or significance.[6] They help to show a link between equal elements.[7]

* To show similarity or reinforce: also, and, as well as, by the same token, comparatively, correspondingly, coupled with, equally, equally important, furthermore, identically, in the light of, in the same fashion/way, likewise, moreover, not only... but also, not to mention, similarly, to say nothing of, together with, too, uniquely
* To introduce an opposing point: besides, but, however, in contrast, neither, nevertheless, nor, on the contrary, on the other hand, still, yet[7]
* To signal a restatement:[8] in other words, in simpler terms, indeed, that is, to put it differently

### Subordinating transitions

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* To introduce an item in a series:[9] finally, first, for another, for one thing, in addition, in the first place, in the second place, last, next, second, then[10]
* To introduce an example:[11] for example, for instance, in particular, namely, specifically, that is
* To show causality: accordingly, as a result, because, consequently, for, hence, since, so, then, therefore, thus
* To introduce a summary or conclusion:[9] actually, all in all, altogether, clearly, evidently, finally, in conclusion, of course, to sum up
* To signal a concession:[11] certainly, granted, it is true, naturally, of course, to be sure
* To resume main argument after a concession: all the same, even though, nevertheless, nonetheless, still

### Temporal transitions

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* To show frequency: again and again, day after day, every so often, frequently, hourly, now and then, occasionally, often
* To show duration: briefly, during, for a long time, minute by minute, while
* To show a particular time: at six o'clock, at that time, first thing in the morning, in 1999, in the beginning of August, in those days, last Sunday, next Christmas, now, then, two months ago, when
* To introduce a beginning: at first, before then, in the beginning, since
* To introduce a middle: as it was happening, at that moment, at the same time, in the meantime, meanwhile, next, simultaneously, then
* To signal an end (or beyond): afterward/afterwards, at last, eventually, finally, in the end, later

### Spatial transitions

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* To show closeness: adjacent to, alongside, close to, facing, near, next to, side by side
* To show long distance: away, beyond, far, in the distance, there
* To show direction: above, across, along, away from, behind, below, down, in front of, inside, outside, sideways, to the left, to the right, toward/towards, up

### Transition words of agreement, addition, or similarity

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The transition words, such as also, in addition, and likewise, add information, reinforce ideas, and express agreement with preceding material.[12]

* additionally
* again
* also
* and
* as
* as a matter of fact
* as well as
* by the same token
* comparatively
* correspondingly
* coupled with
* equally
* equally important
* first
* furthermore
* identically
* in addition
* in like manner
* in the first place
* in the light of
* in the same fashion/way
* like
* likewise
* moreover
* not only ... but also
* not to mention
* of course
* second
* similarly
* then
* third
* to
* to say nothing of
* together with
* too
* uniquely
* what's more

## See also

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* Conjunction
* Level of measurement
* Concept map

## Notes

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1. ^ a b c Rappaport 2010, p. 95.
2. ^ LeClercq 2007, p. 15: "As the writer, it is your job to connect words and ideas so that your readers don't have to do the mental work for you".
3. ^ "Transition Words and Phrases: Useful List and Examples". 7esl.com. 7ESL. Retrieved 5 Jan 2019.
4. ^ Large 2024.
5. ^ University of Richmond Writing Center & WAC Program.
6. ^ Merriam-Webster.
7. ^ a b Lindemann 2001, p. 152.
8. ^ UW Writing Center.
9. ^ a b Purdue Online Writing Lab.
10. ^ Smart Words.
11. ^ a b Taraba.
12. ^ "Transition words used in content creation - Complete GUIDE". Growwwise. 2018-12-02. Retrieved 2018-12-02.

## References

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* Rappaport, Bret (2010). "Using the Elements of Rhythm, Flow, and Tone to Create a More Effective and Persuasive Acoustic Experience in Legal Writing" (PDF). The Journal of the Legal Writing Institute. 16 (1). The Legal Writing Institute: 65–116. Retrieved 30 March 2013.

* Garner, Bryan A. (2002). The Elements of Legal Style (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 65. ISBN 0195141628.

* LeClercq, Terri (2007). Guide to Legal Writing Style (4th ed.). Aspen Publishers. p. 15\. ISBN 9780735568372.

* "Coordinate". Merriam Webster. Archived from the original on 9 March 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2013.

* Erika Lindemann (2001). A Rhetoric for Writing Teachers (4th ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. p. 146\. ISBN 0-19-513045-6.

* Ryan Weber, Karl Stolley. "Transitions and Transitional Devices". Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL). West Lafayette, Indiana: Purdue University. Retrieved 30 March 2013.

* Taraba, Joanna. "Transitional Words and Phrases". University of Richmond Writing Center. Richmond, Virginia: University of Richmond. Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2013.

* "Transition Words". Smart Words. Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2013.

* "The Writer's Handbook: Transitional Words and Phrases". University of Wisconsin Writing Center. Madison, Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin-Madison. 2012. Archived from the original on 6 March 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2013.

* "Writer's Web: Transitional Words and Phrases". University of Richmond Writing Center & WAC Program. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
* Large, And (2024-02-15). "Writing and Communication Centre". University of Waterloo. Retrieved 2024-04-15.