The Function of Transitional Signals

A.    The Function of Transition Signal

1.      To introduce an additional idea

Sentence connectors

Clause connectors

Other

Also

and

another (+ noun)

besides

nor

an additional (+ noun)

furthermore

 

 

in addition

 

 

moreover

 

 

additionally

 

 

 

2.      To compare

Sentence connectors

Clause connectors

Other

likewise

and

as... as

similarly

both... and

like/alike

equally

not only... but also

just like

in the same way

neither... nor

to be similar to

 

just as

to be alike

 

 

to be similar

 

3.      To contrast

Sentence connectors

Clause connectors

Other

however

but

despite (+ noun)

in contrast

yet

in spite of (+ noun)

instead

although

compared to/with

in/by comparison

even though

to be different (from)

nevertheless

though

to be dissimilar

nonetheless

whereas

to be unlike

on the other hand

while

to differ (from)

 

4.      To introduce a cause/reason

Sentence connectors

Clause connectors

Other

for this reason

for

to result from

 

because

to be the result of

 

since

due to

 

as

because of

 

 

to be the effect of

 

 

to be the consequence of

 

 

as a result of

 

 

as a consequence of

 

 

5.      To introduce an effect/result

Sentence connectors

Clause connectors

Other

as a result

so

to result in

as a consequence

 

to cause

consequently

 

to have an effect on

hence

 

to affect

thus

 

the cause of

therefore

 

the reason for

 

6.      To give an example

Sentence connectors

Clause connectors

Other

for example

-

such as (+ noun)

for instance

 

like

in this case

 

an example of (+ noun)

 

 

to demonstrate

 

7.      To show chronological order

Sentence connectors

Clause connectors

Other

first, second, etc.

after

the first, the second

first of all

as

the next, the last, the final

then

as soon as

before (lunch etc.)

next

before

after (the war etc.)

now

since

since (1970 etc.)

then

until

in the year (2000 etc.)

soon

when

 

last

while

 

finally

 

 

previously

 

 

meanwhile

 

 

gradually

 

 

after that

 

 

since

 

 

 

8.      To show order of importance

Sentence connectors

Other

above all

a more important

first and foremost

the most important

more/most importantly

the second most significant

primarily

the primary

 

9.      To show an alternative

Sentence connectors

Clause connectors

alternatively

or

otherwise

if

 

unless

 

10.  To identify or clarify

Sentence connectors

Other

that is

namely

in other words

i.e.

specifically

 

 

11.  To reinforce

Sentence connectors

in fact

indeed

of course

 

12.  To conclude

Sentence connectors

Other

all in all

to summarise

in brief

to conclude

in conclusion

It is clear that...

in short

We can see that...

in summary

The evidence suggests...

 

These examples show...

 


Last modified: Monday, 14 March 2022, 5:26 PM