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

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)

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)

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

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,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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