Logical connectors signal relationships between ideas. This handout will help you choose the appropriate connector .

1. 1
CONTRAST TRANSITIONS
COMPARISON
COMPARISONOF TRANSITIONS OF CONTRAST
Expression Function Example
In contrast Showscontrastbetweentwo
comparable things
Synonymouswith“but”
NOT synonymouswith
“despite this
Northern regionsexperienced record snowfalllastyear.In
oneof the mildestwinters on record.
NOT:I’ve had breakfast;in contrast,I’mstill hungry.
However Showscontrastbetween
comparable thingsorbetween
expectationandreality
Synonymouswith“but”and
“despite this”
Northern regionsexperienced record snowfalllastyear.Ho
oneof the mildestwinters on record.(contrasting two sim
The research clearly showstherisks.However,incidence o
developing countries.(contrasting expectation and reality
I’vehad breakfast;however,I’mstillhungry.
On the contrary Opposition(notx buty).
Followsanegative statement
and elaborates
The island wasnothing like thetropical paradisewehad ex
noisy,dirty,and completely unrelaxing!
(In academicwriting,the phrase“contrary to”is farmore
tropical paradisewehad expected,theisland wasnoisy,d
On the other hand Comparisonof twochoicesor
twosidesof an issue
Buying lottery tickets is probably a wasteof money.On the
investmentyou could ever make!
Nevertheless,
Nonetheless
Showscontrastbetween
expectationandreality
Synonymouswith“but”and
“despite this”
The research clearly showstherisks.Nevertheless,inciden
rapidly in developing countries.
I’vehad breakfast;nevertheless,I’mstill hungry.
Shows
contrast
Shows
contrast
Compares
twochoices
Shows
opposition(not
Shows
opposition.
Syn

2. 2
ADDITION TRANSITIONS
betweentwo
comparable
things
between
expectation
and reality
or sidesof an
issue
X but Y).
Follows
negative
statement.
Doesnot
followa
negative
statement.
wit
Contrary to √
In contrast √ √
However √ √ √ √
Nevertheless √ √
Nonetheless √ √
On the contrary √
On the other
hand
√ √
Expression Function Example
Also Almost interchangeable with
“and.” Prefersidentical subjects
and usually appears after the
subject.
The communityisworkingto meet the needs of its c
just authorizeda new seniorcenter for the elderly. It
social programsfor teens and will be discussingapr
meeting.
Furthermore Usuallyusedwhen three or more
reasons (or premises) are givenfor
the same conclusion
Moderate exercise has manybeneficial effects. It low
weight,and improvesoverall muscle tone. Furtherm
releasingendorphins,generallyimprovingthe mood
In addition, More formal than “and.” Usedfor The communityisworkingto meet the needs of its c

3. 3
CAUSE-EFFECTTRANSITIONS
Expression Function Example
Consequently Signalscausal relationship He was absentover50% of thetime and missed the f
failed thecourse.
Therefore Signalscausal relationship.Also
signalsa logical conclusionor
reasonable inference.
He was absentover50% of thetime and missed the f
the course.
He has failed several coursesthis year.Therefore,Ith
his major.
For this/thatreason Signalscausal relationshipwhen
reasonisexplicitlystated.
She wasan excellent intern last summer.Forthis rea
new full-time position.
Hence, Thus Same as “therefore”butmore
formal.Bothof these canbe usedto
introduce phrasesratherthan
complete sentences.
The grantis nearing the end of its cycle. Thuswe’re a
The grantis nearing the end of its cycle. Hence, the se
In thatcase Signalsa conditional relationship,
like if->then
Water may reach flood stageby morning.In thatcas
Guard will come to assist.
Additionally joiningsentences.Prefersnon-
identical subjectsand appears
before the subject.
just authorizeda new seniorcenter for the elderly. In
Department has instituteda summer arts programf
In additionto Use when addinga noun phrase to
a sentence.Verbsinthis phrase
take the -ingform.
In additiontobuilding anew seniorcenter for the el
implementeda free seniortransportationsystem.
In additiontothe new senior center, there is a new t
Moreover Usuallyusedwhen two or more
reasons (or premises) are givenfor
the same conclusion
The Senator’sremarks have outraged the liberals;m
the conservatives. He will surely suffer inthe next el

4. 4