Transition Words

What are transition words? Check all the answers that apply.

• Link sentences and paragraphs together

• Give your writing flow

• Give your writing more detail

• Make your writing easier to understand

Fill in the blank with the correct transition word. Jeff like to play video games. __________, James like to play card games.

• Then,

• Next,

• However,

You can use "consequently" to show that the sentence that follows describes an effect of the previous sentence.

_________________. Consequently, I was late to the surprise party.

• I love surprise parties

• I am always on time.

• I missed the bus.

• I left an hour early.

The word "simultaneously" means that two things are happening at exactly the same time.

Which of the following sentences uses the word “simultaneously” correctly?

• I had breakfast and simultaneously had dinner afterwards.

• “I feel simultaneously,” she announced, “so I can’t stay for dinner."

• The acrobat simultaneously juggled three balls and hula-hooped.

• Simultaneously, he ate the candy. Then, he had a toothache.

"Nonetheless" is a transition that shows an exception or contrast.

_________________. Nonetheless, Greg and Deborah found themselves paddling around the fountain’s shallow pool.

• Greg and Deborah desperately wished to swim in the public garden’s fountain.

• The public garden’s rules clearly stated that visitors were not allowed to swim in the fountain.

• Greg and Deborah wore their swimsuits to the public gardens.

• Greg and Deborah were always rebellious.

Transition words make your writing flow. When you are moving from one idea to the next, a transition is a quick way to help explain how the two ideas relate. Depending on the relationship between the two things you're connecting, you'll use different transitions. Some transitions show contrast; others give examples.

According to this passage, how can transition words help your writing?

• Transition words make it clear how your ideas relate or connect.

• Transition words make your writing more specific.

• Transition words add complexity to your ideas.

• Transition words make your ideas harder to follow.

"Indeed" means that a writer is going to further emphasize what he or she just said. "Indeed" is attached to the sentence that gives an even stronger example of a point than the sentence before.

My neighbor, Ms. Ramirez, is a little goofy. Indeed, she_______________________.

• often lends me a hammer or wrench when I need it.

• insists on decorating her house with silly signs on Groundhog Day.

• sometimes lets her dog into our yard.

• usually comes home late.

Fill in the blank with the correct transition word. __________, I pressed snooze on my alarm

• First,

• However,

• Furthermore,

The transition "such as" introduces one or more examples of an idea that was just mentioned.

I enjoy traveling to new cities such as Cincinnati, Detroit and Milwaukee.

In the sentence above, Cincinnati, Detroit and Milwaukee are

• contradictions to the statement “I enjoy traveling to new cities.”

• exceptions to the statement “I enjoy traveling to new cities.

• examples of where the writer likes to travel.

• conflicting ideas about travel.

Fill in the blank with the correct transition word. Adam did not study for the vocabulary test. __________, he failed the test.

• Also

• Additionally

• Consequently