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 MARKERS
Formality 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