TRANSITION SIGNALS

1. Transitions (Signal Words)

2. Transition signals

3. • Transition (Signal Words):
• Connect words or phrases
• Act as signposts
• Strengthen the internal cohesion

4. Three types of Transition signals
1. Sentence Connectors
2. Clause connectors
3. Others
- transition phrases
- conjunctive adverbs
- coordinating conjunctions
- subordinating conjunctions

5. 1. Sentence Connectors
(transition phrases & conjunctive adverbs)
Transition phrases:
 Appear in the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence.
 A coma is needed.
Example:
For example, the Baltic Sea (, for example) in Northern
Europe is only one-fourth as saline as the Rea Sea in the
Middle East (, for example).

6. Conjunction Adverbs:
• Often used with a semicolon and a comma to join two
independent clauses.
Examples:
In warm climate zones, water evaporates rapidly; therefore,
its net profit declined.
Some English words do not have exact equivalents in other
languages; for example, there is no German word for the
adjective fair, as in fair play.

7. Coordinating conjunctions
• Used with a comma to join two independent clauses and to
form a compound sentence.
2. Clause Connectors
Examples:
In a matriarchy, the mother is the head of the family, and
all of the children belong to her clan.
In warm climate zones, water evaporates, so the
concentration of salt is greater.

8. • Yet and But an opposite idea is coming.
• Yet: preferred when the 2nd clause is an unexpected or
surprising contrast to the 1st clause.
• But: preferred when the 2 clauses are direct oppositions.
• Yet is similar in meaning to “nevertheless”.
• But is similar to “however”.
Yet and But:
Examples:
Thomas Edison dropped out of school at age 12, yet he
became a famous inventor.
I want to study art, but my parents want me to become an
engineer.

9. Subordinating conjunctions
• Used to introduce a dependent clause, which is joined to
form a complex sentence.
• Position: use a comma if the DC comes before the IC; do
not use a comma if the DC comes after the IC.
Examples:
Although the company’s sale increased last year, its
net profit declined.
The company’s net profit declined last year although
its sales increased.

10. • Indicating transition:
additional (adj.); despite (prep.); examples (n.).
3. Others
Examples:
An additional reason for the firm’s bankruptcy was the lack of
competent management.
Examples of vocabulary differences between British and
American English include petrol/gasoline, windscreen/windshield,
and lorry/truck.
Despite increased sales, the company’s profit declined last
quarter.

11. Common Transition Signals

12. Meaning / function Sentence
connectors
Clause connectors Others
(adj, verb, prep)
Coordinators Subordinators
To introduce a
similar additional
idea
also
besides
furthermore
in addition
moreover
too
and
nor (and not)
another
an additional
To compare things also
likewise
similarly
too
and
both…and
not only…but also
neither…nor
as
just as
as…as
like/alike
just like
similar to
be alike
be similar
To introduce an
opposite idea,
and to contrast
things
however
in contrast
instead
in/by comparison
nevertheless
on the other hand
on the contrary
still
but
yet
although
even though
though
whereas
while
despite
in spite of
compared to/with
be different (from)
be dissimilar
be unlike
differ (from)

13. Meaning /
function
Sentence
connectors
Clause connectors Others
(adj, verb, prep)
Coordinators Subordinators
To introduce an
example
For example
For instance
In this case
such as
like
an example of
to demonstrate
take the case of
To emphasize In fact
To explain
and restate
Indeed (really, certainly)
That is
to introduce
an alternative
otherwise or If
unless

14. Meaning /
function
Sentence
connectors
Clause connectors Others
(adj, verb, prep)
Coordinators Subordinators
To indicate
time
thereafter
then
soon
at that time
at this point
Immediately
before, after
during
prior to
formerly
finally
Previously
To signal
chronological
order
first, second, then,
next…
first of all, now, soon
last, finally
meanwhile
gradually
after that
since then
after
as
as soon as
before
since
until
when
while
the first, the second
the next, the last, the
final
before lunch
after the war
since 1990
in the year 2008
(any time expression)

15. Meaning /
function
Sentence
connectors
Clause connectors Others
(adj, verb, prep)
Coordinators Subordinators
To indicate
order of
important
above all
first and foremost
more/most importantly/
significantly
primarily
a more important
the most important
the second most
significant
the primary
To introduce
a cause or
reason
consequently
therefore
for this purpose
for because
since
as
result from
be the result of
due to
because of
the effect of
the consequence of
as a result of
as a consequence of

16. Meaning /
function
Sentence
connectors
Clause connectors Others
(adj, verb, prep)
Coordinators Subordinators
To
introduce
an effect or
result
Accordingly
As a result
As a consequence
Consequently
Hence, thus
Therefore
so result in
cause
have an effect on
affect
the cause of
the reason for
To conclude All in all
In brief
In conclusion
In short
In summary
In deed
accordingly
It is clear that…
We can see that…
The evidence
suggests that…
These examples
show that…

17. Sample text:
http://www.lc.unsw.edu.au/onlib/trans1.html