This document provides a compilation of transitional markers organized by levels of formality. It categorizes transitional words and expressions for indicating time, importance, cause and effect, comparison and contrast, alternatives, and summaries. For each category, transitional markers are grouped into basic, more formal, and most formal levels to suit different contexts from informal to formal writing.

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