TRANSITIONAL MARKERS

1. TRANSITIONAL MARKERS Formality Levels for transition Words and Expressions transition Words and Expressions Compiled by Ms. Terri Yueh

2. time To clarify chronological order • Sentence connector First, second, third, fourth, ….. Next, last, finally,…. First of all, meanwhile, after that, since then, • subordinator Before, after, while, until as soon as, • phrases The first (+N.), the second (+N) before the (+N), in the year, since the (+N)

3. Importance • To indicate order of importance: • Ascending order, Descending order, Equal importance • Sentence connector More important, most important, above all • phrases The most important (+N)

4. Cause & Effect To introduce reasons • Coordinator for • Subordinator Because, since, as • Phrases Because of, as a result of, as a consequence of, due to, to result from, the result of, the effect of A on B, the consequence of, To introduce results • Sentence connector Accordingly, as a result, as a consequence, therefore, thus, consequently, hence, • Coordinator so, • Phrases the cause of the reason for, to result in, to cause, to have an effect on, to affect

5. Comparison & Contrast To introduce a comparison • Sentence connector Similarly, likewise, also, too • Coordinator and • Subordinator as, just as • Phrases like, just as, just like (+N), be alike, Be similar (to), be the same as, both…and, not only…but also, to compare to, to compare with, In like manner, To introduce contrast (strong opposition) • Sentence connector However, in contrast, in (by) comparison, on the other hand, on the contrary • Coordinator but, • Subordinator while, whereas • Phrases to be different from, to differ from, To be dissimilar, to be unlike, to compare with,

6. Alternative & Concession To introduce an concession • Sentence connector however, nevertheless, nonetheless, still • Coordinator but, yet • Subordinator although, though, even though • Phases despite + N, in spite of + N To introduce an alternative • Sentence connector Otherwise • Coordinator Or • Subordinator If, unless

7. TRANSITIONAL MARKERSFormality Levels Formality Levels for transition Words and Expressions Formality Levels Compiled by Ms. Terri Yueh

8. addition • Basic form for informal and formal use also, first, second, etc. • More formal additionally, besides, further, furthermore in addition, last but not least, next, not only… but also, too, • Most formal equally important, moreover, similarly

9. Cause & Effect reasons or results • Basic form for informal and formal use for, because, then, therefore • More formal As a result, for this reason, since, thus • Most formal according, as a consequence of, due to, to result from, consequently, hence

10. time To clarify chronological order • Basic form for informal and formal use after a while, after that, also, at last, currently, earlier now, since then,eventually, finally, first, second, etc. In the future, in the past, next, last, finally • More formal afterward, at the same time, first of all, meanwhile formerly, immediately, in the meantime, later • Most formal concurrently, previously, simultaneously, subsequently

11. example • Basic form for informal and formal use for example • More formal for instance, in other words • Most formal as an example, as an illustration, to exemplify

12. comparison • Basic form for informal and formal use also, like, too • More formal both . . . and, neither. . . nor, in the same way, compared to, likewise, as well as • Most formal by comparison, in common with, similarly, in like manner

13. contrast • Basic form for informal and formal use however • More formal instead, nevertheless, on the other hand • Most formal conversely, in contrast to, in opposition to, on the contrary,otherwise,still whereas

14. summary--conclusion • Basic form for informal and formal use finally, therefore • More formal after all, all in all, at last, briefly consequently, last, on the whole, in sum, thus • Most formal accordingly, as a consequence, in brief, in short in closing, in conclusion, in summary to conclude, to summarize