This document discusses transitional words and phrases. It begins by defining transitional words as phrases or words that are used to connect one idea to the next. It then provides examples of different types of transitional words and what purpose they serve, such as showing cause and effect, contrasting ideas, similarities, concessions, building on ideas, emphasis, restating ideas, indicating time or place relationships. The document concludes with examples of using transitional words correctly in sentences and a question and answer practice section.

1. Lunch & Learn
Using transitional words and
phrases

2.  What are transitional words?
 What do they do?
Question

3. • are phrases or words used to connect one idea to the
next.
Answer:
Transitional words (phrases) …
• are used by the author to help the reader progress from
one significant idea to the next.
• also show the relationship within a paragraph (or within
a sentence) between the main idea and the support the
author gives for those ideas.

4. Different
transitions do
different things

5. 1. To give an example
Sandrita is so charitable. For example,
she volunteers at the hospital every
week!

6. 1. To give an example
Sandrita is so charitable. For example,
she volunteers at the hospital every
week!
This transition gave an example as to
why the speaker believes Sandrita is
charitable.

7. I slept in late this morning, consequently
I missed my bus!
2. To show cause and effect

8. I slept in late this morning, consequently
I missed my bus!
2. To show cause and effect
This transition word explains why the
speaker missed the bus.

9. I am going to go running this morning in
spite of the cold weather.
3. To show contrast

10. I am going to go running this morning in
spite of the cold weather.
3. To show contrast
This transition demonstrates contrasting
(surprising) information.

11. I like the cold weather just as you do!
4. To show similarity

12. I like the cold weather just as you do!
4. To show similarity
This transition demonstrates the
similarity in preferences between 2
people.

13. Although I would love to stay, I have go
home now.
5. To concede

14. Although I would love to stay, I have go
home now.
5. To concede
This transition recognizes the fact that
the person wants to stay, but cannot.

15. You have to pay for the damage to my
car; furthermore, I am asking you to pay
for my medical bills.
6. To build on another idea

16. You have to pay for the damage to my
car; furthermore, I am asking you to pay
for my medical bills.
6. To build on another idea
Here the speaker is using this transition
to add more information.

17. It is important that you study, but even
more importantly you must attend class!
7. To emphasize a thought or
idea

18. It is important that you study, but even
more importantly you must attend class!
7. To emphasize a thought or
idea
Here the transition is used to put more
emphasis on a particular idea.

19. 8. To say something again, but in
different words
Can you please leave now? In other
words, you are no longer welcome at our
house!

20. Can you please leave now? In other
words, you are no longer welcome at our
house!
8. To say something again, but in
different words
Here the transition is used to put more
emphasis on a particular idea.

21. 9. To show time relationships
Eventually we are going to arrive at our
destination.

22. 9. To show time relationships
Eventually we are going to arrive to our
destination.
This transition is used to tell when
something is going to happen.

23. 10. To indicate place
You can park to the right of my car.

24. 10. To indicate place
You can park to the right of my car.
This transition is used to tell where
someone can park.

25. More examples
To give examples for instance as an example Such as
Show cause /effect therefore hence as a result
Show contrast Never the less To the contrary Even though
Show similarities In the same
way
equally likewise
To concede Although granted while
Build on another idea moreover furthermore additionally
Emphasize a thought No doubt In fact indeed
Say something again In other words To put it
another way
In effect
Show time relationships eventually afterwards finally
Indicate place To the left
(right)
In the distance In the background

26. Time to practice!
Choose the correct transition to
complete the sentence.

27. 1. You need to eat less.
_________ you should cut your
calories in half!
however granted In fact

28. 1. You need to eat less. In fact,
you should cut your calories in
half!
however granted
Right! You want to emphasize an
idea.

29. 2. What a long trip! We are here
_____________.
at last to the
left
that is

30. 2. What a long trip! We are here
at last!
to the
left
that is
Right! Here you want to
emphasize a time relationship.

31. 3. I need to raise money for my
tuition _________ to my books.
In the
background
As a matter
of fact
In addition
to

32. 3. I need to raise money for my
tuition in addition to my books.
In the
background
As a matter
of fact
yes! In this example you want to
build on an idea.

33. 4. I think I saw your lost dog
running ______________.
In the
distance
finally equally

34. 4. I think I saw your lost dog
running in the distance.
finally equally
Here we are showing a place
relationship

35. 5. You must improve your
grades. __________ I am saying
you need to study more.
although in other
words
as an
example

36. 5. You must improve your
grades. In other words,
I am saying you need to study
more.
although as an
example
Here the speaking is restating an
idea.

37. 6. You did really well on your
math exam because you studied
hard; _____________I believe
you can improve your French
marks.
nevertheless in the same
way
while

38. 6. You did really well on your math
exam because you studied hard; in
the same way
I believe you can improve your
French marks.
in the same
way
while
Here the speaking is showing a
similarity

39. 7. __________ I do believe you
deserve a holiday, there is a lot
of work to be completed first.
therefore in effect while

40. 7. while I do believe you deserve a
holiday, there is a lot of work to be
completed first.
therefore in effect
Here, the speaking is admitting
or conceding a fact

41. 8. You did not complete your
homework; _________ you
cannot go out to play with your
friends.
In effect likewise therefore

42. 8. You did not complete your
homework; therefore
you cannot go out to play with
your friends.
In effect likewise
This example shows cause /
effect.

43. 9. There are many things you can
do to solve this problem;
__________ have you tried
talking to your supervisor?
for instance finally in fact

44. 9. There are many things you can
do to solve this problem; for
instance have you tried talking to
your supervisor?
finally in fact
Here, the speaker gives an
example.

45. 10. I know it’s very late;
__________ I think you should
stay up and get this job done
As a result never the
less
finally

46. 10. I know it’s very late; never
the less I think you should stay
up and get this job done
as a result finally
Here, the speaker demonstrates
a contrasting situation.

47. Questions?
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48. Thank you for attending!
See you next time!
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