Transition words list
Transition words link one idea to the next and tell the reader how they fit together: also adds, however turns, so gives a result. This list sorts the common ones by the job they do, with a sentence that uses each kind.
Free printable PDF, 3rd grade to 8th grade.
One page, black and white, prints the same every time.
What is on the sheet
| To | Transition words | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Add an idea | also, and, in addition, besides, furthermore, moreover, as well as, another | Our dog is friendly. He is also very fast. |
| Put things in order | first, second, next, then, after that, later, meanwhile, finally | First, mix the flour and sugar. Then add the eggs. |
| Show a likeness | similarly, likewise, in the same way, just as, like | Bees make honey. Likewise, some ants store food. |
| Show a difference | however, but, on the other hand, in contrast, although, yet, instead, still | I wanted to play outside. However, it was raining. |
| Show cause and effect | because, so, therefore, as a result, since, for this reason, consequently | The river flooded. As a result, the road closed. |
| Give an example | for example, for instance, such as, in particular, to illustrate | Some animals sleep all winter. For example, bears do. |
| Make a point stronger | in fact, indeed, above all, most of all, especially, of course | Owls hunt at night. In fact, most owls rest all day. |
| Sum up | in conclusion, in summary, to sum up, overall, all in all, in the end | In the end, the team was glad it had kept trying. |
How the list is arranged
Each row is one job a transition does. The first column names the job, the middle one lists words that do it, and the last one is a short example. A child writing a paragraph picks the job first (am I adding a reason, or turning to the other side?) and then picks a word from that row.
Younger writers use the short ones: first, then, also, but, so. From 5th grade on, the longer ones such as furthermore, in contrast and consequently start to show up in essays.
Using transitions well
A transition needs a comma after it when it starts a sentence: However, it was raining. Joining two sentences with a word like however takes a semicolon, not just a comma: I wanted to play outside; however, it was raining. One transition at the start of a paragraph usually does more than one in every sentence.
Linking ideas with words such as also, because and another is part of opinion and informative writing from 3rd grade (CCSS W.3.1c, W.3.2c). The longer linking phrases follow in 4th and 5th grade.
Common questions
- What is the difference between a transition word and a conjunction?
- A conjunction such as and, but or because joins words or clauses inside one sentence. A transition such as however or as a result usually links one sentence to the next. Some words, like so and but, can do both jobs.
- Can I start a sentence with but or because?
- Yes. Writers start sentences with but all the time. A sentence that starts with because needs a main clause too: "Because it rained, we stayed in" is a sentence, and "Because it rained" alone is not.