The Gulf region has some outstanding schools. These include some fantastic international schools in Dubai. What is really remarkable about these schools is the fact that the medium of instruction followed by most of them is English.
Not just that-the standard of English taught is of the highest standard. In this article, we shall look at English transition words that are used in essays and the best ways to use them.
What is a Transition Word?
Transition words are links between the different sections of an essay or a write-up. They provide the reader with a glimpse into what the writer is trying to convey. These words convey the thoughts and emotions of the writer right through the sentences and paragraphs. Typical examples of transition words are words like but, so and because.
How Do You Write a Transition Word or a Connecting Word in an Essay?
A transition word is used to finalise a sentence or a paragraph by summarizing it and drawing the attention of the reader to the sense conveyed by it.
Using connecting words like first, second, afterwards, then and so on gives structure and clarity to the text in question. It might help to have a list of transition words and phrases handy, as it will help one use them very effectively.
Types of Transition with Transition Words for Essays
There are a number of phrases and transition words for essays that will help your writing flow very smoothly during your schooling be it high school or secondary school Dubai. Let’s see what are the types of transitions and what kind of easy transition word there might be in each category.
1. Addition
These transition words help put forth many ideas that point to the same general idea. Words like first, finally, first of all, for one thing, in addition, furthermore, likewise, moreover, next and so on.
Examples of How to Use Addition Words
● First: First, you have to complete your homework then you can play.
● Moreover: All the spelling in your English homework was correct, moreover, your handwriting has improved.
2. Contrast
When you are trying to change the strand or narrative of the argument you use transition words like however, yet, on the contrary, unlike, conversely, otherwise, on the other hand, and so on.
Examples of How to Use Contrast Words
● However: You are tired, however, you need to complete your tomorrow’s homework.
● Otherwise: I hope you complete your homework today, otherwise, we have to cancel tomorrow’s picnic.
3. Sequence
When you are trying to convey a sense of time or sequence you use words like last, and next. First of all, finally, immediately, thereafter, previously, meanwhile, finally, formerly and so on.
Examples of How to Use Sequence Words
● Finally: Finally, your school holidays have started.
● Meanwhile: Complete your homework, meanwhile, I’ll start making your dinner.
4. Exception
The point behind introducing these transitions is to convey an opposing sense. These include words and phrases like whereas, however, instead, while, on the other hand, despite, but and so on.
Examples of How to Use Exception Words
● Instead: Tomorrow is your Maths exam, instead, you are preparing for an English exam.
● Whereas: My daughter loves to travel, whereas, my son prefers to be at home.
5. Comparison
Transitions that bring similarities to the fore in the same paragraph can be conveyed by words and phrases like likewise, like, just, whereas, equally, by comparison, just as, similar fashion, conversely and so on.
Examples of How to Use Comparison Words
● Just: I just finished my homework.
● Conversely: My family trip wasn’t all good, and conversely, it wasn’t all bad.
6. Casual Transitions
These are cause and effect transitions and highlight how events are caused by other factors. Words and phrases like accordingly, and so, hence, as a result, consequently and so on casual transitions.
Examples of How to Use Casual Transitions Words
● Accordingly: Your school holidays have started and your teacher has given you homework, accordingly.
● Hence: Your teacher has given you a lot of holiday homework. Hence, we have to plan vacations accordingly.
7. Concession Transition
When you are trying to convey the fact that you have conceded something you use transition words and phrases like of course, granted, naturally and so on.
Examples of How to Use Concession Transition Words
● Of course: Of course, we’ll visit your grandmother this summer holidays.
● Naturally: My son has improved his handwriting naturally.
8. Consequence Transition
When you try to highlight a consequence you use transition words and phrases like for this reason, accordingly, as a result, and for this reason.
Examples of How to Use Consequence Transition Words
● As a result: My son has topped his class, as a result of his efforts and dedication.
9. Emphasis
If you want to emphasize something, you may want to use words and phrases like as a matter of fact, above all, in fact, certainly and so on.
Examples of How to Use Emphasis Words
● As a matter of fact: Yes, my son can help your kid with his homework. As a matter of fact, my son needs to revise his syllabus.
● In fact: Your daughter is great at playing the guitar, in fact, you should start her guitar tutoring, so she can become a professional.
10. Example Transition
If you want to lay emphasis on some fact you may want to use transition words and phrases like namely, for instance, for example, and in particular.
Examples of How to Use Example Transition Words
● For instance: My son’s score has improved a lot, for instance, his maths score is the highest in the class.
11. Space
There are times when you need to denote space in your essay. You may do so by using transition words and phrases like in the distance, off to one side, below, above and so on.
Examples of How to Use Space Words
● Below: Solve this question, below are some hints to solve it.
12. Summary Transition
When you are trying to summarize what you are trying to convey, you may use terms like therefore, in conclusion, and other words.
Examples of How to Use Summary Transition Words
● Therefore: Your school holidays are ending, therefore, you have to complete holiday homework.
13. Introduction Transition
When you are trying to introduce an idea or a thought you may be required to use introductory transition words and phrases like for instance, for example, in particular, and so on.
Examples of How to Use Introduction Transition Words
● For example: My daughter has participated in various extracurricular activities at school, for example, dance competitions, volleyball tournaments, etc.
14. Reference Transition
In the event of your alluding to some fact in a sentence or paragraph, you may use reference transition words and phrases like considering, regarding, as for, the fact that and so on.
Examples of How to Use Reference Transition Words
● As for: My daughter has participated in various extracurricular activities, as for my son, he is more focused on his academic performance.
15. Similarity Transition
Where one wants to convey a sentiment of similarity, transition words and phrases like similarly, in the same fashion, equally and in a like manner.
Examples of How to Use Similarity Transition Words
● Equally: My daughter is equally focused on her academics as her extracurricular activities.
● Similarly: Your sons have dressed similarly.
16. Clarification Transition
When one wants to clarify something one may use a clarification transition word or phrase like namely, specifically and more precisely.
Examples of How to Use Clarification Transition Words
● Specifically: Your exams are near so you have to focus, specifically on the weak topics.
17. Dismissal Transition
There are times when you want to convey dismissal or rejection. You may then use transitional words or phrases like regardless, either way, whatever the case, at any event, at any rate, etc.
Examples of How to Use Dismissal Transition Words
● Either way: This is a long method and this is a short method to solve this maths question, either way, the answer will be the same.
18. Replacement Transition
When you want to convey a feeling of replacement you may use words and phrases like at least, rather, or, even, if not and so on.
Examples of How to Use Replacement Transition Words
● Rather: My daughter likes to eat healthy food rather than eating oily and fast food.
● Or: You can either eat fruit or toast for breakfast.
19. Consequence Transition
There are those times when you need to imply a consequence or result and you may do so by using words and phrases like therefore, because, as a result of, for this reason, and in view of.
Examples of How to Use Consequence Transition Words
● Therefore: My son was playing football, therefore, he was unable to attend your daughter’s birthday party.
● Because: My daughter is thinking of joining the swimming team because she loves to swim.
20. Purpose Transition
When you want to convey purpose, you may use words and phrases like to, in order to, for the purpose of, in the hope that, to that end and so on.
Examples of How to Use Purpose Transition Words
● In order to: My daughter worked hard, in order to top her class.
21. Initiate Transition
When the idea is to initiate a thought or suggest a course of action, you may use words and phrases like in the first place, initially, to begin with, and at first.
Examples of How to Use Initiate Transition Words
● At first: At first, my daughter thought she loves guitar but later on she realized she loves to play the violin.
● To begin with: My son is not coming. To begin with, he is visiting his grandfather and secondly, he doesn’t like football.
How Do You Use Transition Words and Phrases Correctly?
Anybody who has a good command of the English language will be able to use transition words and phrases perfectly. The best way to develop that is to read exhaustively. It is not for nothing that the best writers in the world are voracious readers.
Bottomline
Proper use of transition is what makes one’s ability to write well known to the world. With the importance of communication being what it is, it is imperative that everyone practise using the right kind of transition words and phrases in the right places to ensure that using transitions properly becomes second nature.
