Prepositional phrases and Compound preposition
Prepositional phrases consist of a single preposition followed by its object (a noun or pronoun),
like "in the room". A compound preposition is a group of two or more words that functions as a
single preposition, such as "because of" or "in front of".
Common Prepositional Phrases
• At: last
• By: myself
• For: example
• In: addition to
• In: the library
• By: the way
• On: a regular basis
• On: the table
• With: question
Common Compound Prepositions
• According to
• Ahead of
• Along with
• Apart from
• As of
• Because of
• Due to
• Except for
• In addition to
• In back of
• In front of
• In spite of
• Instead of
• Next to
• On behalf of
• On top of
• Out of
• Owing to
• Prior to
• Regardless of
• Thanks to
Transitional Devices
Transition words and phrases are essential tools in writing, allowing you to connect ideas smoothly
and move from one thought to another. These words help establish coherence, professionalism,
and a structured flow in your writing.
Types of Transition Words
There is more than one type of transition word, and in this section, we are going to introduce you
to some of the most commonly used ones, which will give you a greater understanding of the
concept.
Reason
Many transition words follow similar patterns. Because of this, we can categorize similar words
together. One category typically used to describe transitional words is the reason. Words in the
reason list reveal the cause and effect of a particular event.
Examples of transition words falling under the category of reason can be seen below.
• Because of
• With this in mind
• In fact
• In order to
• Provided that
• Granted that
• Given that
• In view of
• With this intention
• With this purpose
• Seeing that
• For the purpose of
• Owing to
• So that
You might see them used in a sentence such as; In order to achieve this, we need a budget.
Cause and Effect
Cause and effect transition words show the relationship between a cause and its resulting effect.
These words help to demonstrate why something happened or how it can unfold.
Some examples of commonly used result transition words are:
• As a result
• Thus
• Consequently
• Hence
• For this reason
• Due to
• As a consequence (of)
• Therefore
• Accordingly
• Then
• Forthwith
• Thereupon
You are likely to see a result transitional word in a sentence such as; I cannot attend the party
tonight as a result of being so tired from having worked late all week.
Emphasis
Transition words that fall under the emphasis category emphasize a particular fact. They highlight
the importance of the information discussed in your essay. These words signal that some key
information is forthcoming.
Transition words that show emphasis are essential to any well-written paper. Find examples of
these words and phrases below.
• Undoubtedly
• Indeed
• Obviously
• Particularly / in particular
• Especially
• Clearly
• Importantly
• Absolutely
• Definitely
• Without a doubt
• Never
• It should be noted
• Unquestionably
• Above all
• Positively
• Truly
• Even
• Of course
• Naturally
• In truth
• Chiefly
• Surprisingly
• With attention
• To emphasize
• To repeat
• To clarify
• In detail
You might see one of these types of transition words used in a sentence such as; You can travel to
Australia and obviously, can visit Tasmania whilst you are there.
Addition
Addition transition words add important information to the topic discussed in your academic
paper.
Some examples of addition transition words are found below.
• Additionally / an additional
• Furthermore
• Also
• Too
• As well as that
• Along with
• Besides
• In addition
• Moreover
• Not only…but also
• In addition to this
• Apart from this
• Further
• Finally
• Last
• And
• Similarly
• As well as
• Coupled with
• Not to mention
• Together with
• In the same fashion
• First
• Second
• Third
An example of a sentence containing one of these common transition words would be; You cannot
go into the theatre as you have not got tickets, furthermore, you are not in the correct dress for
this performance.
Illustration
An illustration transitional word is used to give an example of what the speaker is referring to.
Some good examples of this type of transition word would be:
• For example/ For instance
• Such as
• Proof of this
• Like
• To demonstrate/ To clarify
• Illustrated by
• For one thing
• As an example of
• In the case of
• To demonstrate
• To clarify
• Including
• Namely
• In this case
• To simplify
• In another case
• Specifically
• In this situation
• On this occasion
The following sentence shows the use of an illustration transitional word; There are lots of things
to do at the park, for instance feeding the ducks or playing on the slide.
Contrast
You will want to select a contrast transition word to show the difference between two key pieces
of information expressed in your essay. These words indicate that your paper is linking a sentence
or paragraph together by contrasting how two things different.
Contrast transition words make it clear that two pieces of information will be contrasted. The list
below showcases some contrast words that will be effective in your writing:
• Unlike
• Nevertheless
• On the other hand
• Nonetheless
• Despite/in spite of
• In contrast (to)
• While
• Whereas
• Alternatively
• Conversely
• Even so
• Differing from
• Contrary to
• In opposition
• Up against
• However
• Contrarily
• As opposed to
• Yet
• Instead
• Notwithstanding
• Rather
• Nor
• Though
You might see one of these transitions being used in a sentence such as; While this may be true, it
doesn’t mean that biking is not beneficial for your heart.
Comparison/Similarity
In order to link two sentences or paragraphs you can introduce compare transition words, The
words show how to ideas being discussed relate to each other.
Some examples of this type of transition word might be:
• Similarly
• Equally
• Similar to
• Same as
• Compare / compare(d) to (with)
• By the same token
• In the same way
• Correspondingly
• As with
• Equal
• Just as…so too
• Likewise
• Just as
• Just like
• Both
• Alike
• In common
• In like manner
• In a similar manner
• Still another
• Resembles
• Either
• Most important
• In the spitting image of
An example of a sentence in which you might see a comparison/similarity transition word would
be; In the same way, biking also offers many benefits that help you with your fitness goals.
Result – Illustration – Comparison – Summary Transition Words and Phrases – Created by 7ESL
Time and Sequence
Time and sequence transition words help to illustrate the progression of events or the passage
of time. They create a structure and a sense of order between ideas.
Examples of time and sequence transition words include:
• First/ firstly
• Second/ secondly
• Third/ thirdly
• Lastly and most importantly
• Last but not least
• About
• Next
• Later
• Since
• Finally
• At this time
• Following
• Now
• Once
• In the first place
• To begin with
• Prior to
• Previously
• Before
• Subsequently
• Above all
• After
• Eventually
• Tomorrow
• In turn
• Momentarily
• From this point
• Not long after
You might see an order transitional word being used in a sentence such as; I will go to the shop,
then to the park, and finally, I will relax in the bar.
Conclusion
Conclusion transition words are used to conclude the ideas that have been previously mentioned.
A transition word from the conclusion category indicates that you are about to wrap up your
argument.
Conclusion transition words work well to clarify your arguments.
• Therefore
• To summarize
• In short
• To sum up
• In summary
• Briefly
• To conclude
• In essence
• In brief
• On the whole
• In conclusion
• Altogether
• In any event
• Given these points
• Ultimately
• In the final analysis
• Generally speaking
• All things considered
• Usually
• By and large
• Overall
• As noted
• As shown above
• As demonstrated above
• As you can see
• In a word
• In the end
• To end
An excellent example of a sentence to demonstrate this would be; The acting was superb and the
lighting was excellent, all things considered, it made for an interesting play.
Condition
Condition transition words are used to establish the condition or to bring into consideration
another viewpoint.
Words that fall in this category include:
• Granted that
• If
• When
• Because of
• In that case
• Then
• Unless
• As
• Since
• While
• Whenever
• While
• Lest
• Although this may be true
• In the event that
• Only if
• Even if
• On the condition that
• Given that
A condition transitional phrase might be used in a sentence such as; Take an umbrella in case it
rains.
Concession
A concession transition word is used to acknowledge an opposing view and might be used in the
form of the following words and phrases:
• Admittedly
• All the same
• Up to a point
• Even so
• In spite of
• Although/Even though
• Even if
• However
• And still
• And yet
• Be that as it may
• Regardless of this
• Nevertheless
• Albeit
• Although
• Even though
• Nonetheless
A good example of a sentence containing this type of transition would be; In spite of the fact that
he is rich, he lives in a small house.
Generalization
A generalization transitional word can be used to give an example of an idea relating to the
subject.
Some common transition words in this category are:
• As a rule
• Regularly
• Commonly
• Usually
• For the most part
• Normally
• Predominately
• In general/ Generally
• On the whole
• Overall
• Typically
• In most cases
• Often
• On the whole
• Broadly speaking
• Mainly
• Generally speaking
• More often than not
• Mostly
Here is a sentence that uses a generalization transitional phrase; In general, Japanese cars are
very reliable and breakdowns are rare.
Restatement
Restatement transition words provide clarity for your argument. These transition words signal
the importance of the information shared before.
To restate your thoughts employ these words in your essay.
• In other words
• Otherwise stated
• That is to say
• Alternatively
• Alternatively stated
• Put differently
• To put it differently
• In a nutshell
• Put in another way
• In simple terms
• Simply put
• Simplified
• Said differently
• Reiterated
• Namely
• In short
• In summation
• Expressed simply
• In simple language
Let’s look at an example of a sentence that uses a restatement transition; In other words, the
elephant is already dancing with the dragon.
Reference
Reference transition words are used to literally make a reference to a continuing idea presented
in your essay.
Words and phrases that express these references include:
• Some examples of these might be:
• Speaking about/of
• Considering
• In terms
• With respect to
• Concerning
• The fact that
• With regards to
• Regarding
• In connection to
• As far as
• As applied to
• Pertaining to
You might see a reference transitional phrase in a sentence like this one; I was explaining to John
that the job he wanted was not available due to the fact that they had already hired someone.
Clarification
Sometimes ideas being discussed in your paper needs to be parsed down. Clarification transition
words indicate that you will be exploring your ideas in more detail.
To provide clarification in your essay use these words and phrases.
• That is to say
• To put it in another way
• To put it clearly
• To break it down
• To simplify
• To clearly define
• In lay terms
• In other words
• I mean
• Simply stated
• Simply put
• In simple terms
• To explain
• To make plain
• In explanation
A good example of a sentence that uses clarification transitional phrase is as follows; I won’t be
going because I do not like her, in other words, she will ruin the evening for me.
Space/ Location
Space transition words are to clarify spatial relationships. They provide spatial order and
reference.
Some transitions words to describe space/locations are:
• On top
• Below
• Beneath
• Around
• Underneath
• To the left
• Surrounding
• Over
• Adjacent
• Across
• At the rear
• Next to
• Opposite
• Adjacent
• On bottom
• Near
• Nearby
