How to Use Transition Words

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.
  
• Transition words make your writing more specific.
  
• Transition words add complexity to your ideas.
  
• Transition words make your ideas harder to follow.
  

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"For instance" indicates that an example is about to come.

My older brother is the funniest person I know. For instance,

• he’s often crying and unhappy.
  
• he recently became afraid of his own shadow.
  
• he can make our mother laugh just by rolling his eyes.
  
• I often feel myself longing for sleep when he speaks.
  

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"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
  

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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
  

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"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.
  

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The transition "meanwhile" can be used to show that something happened at the same time as something else. It can also be used to point out two conflicting ideas that both occur.

Which of the following passages uses the word “meanwhile” correctly?

• I quickly ran to the store for more napkins. Meanwhile, “I’ll be back!” I shouted, to my unconcerned guests as I hurried out the door.
  
• I met my grandfather at the station. Meanwhile, I had really missed him.
  
• My cousin often sleepwalks. Meanwhile, she thinks it is because of her realistic dreams.
  
• The mayor supported building a new swimming pool. Meanwhile, the town’s citizens opposed the plan.
  

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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.
  

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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.
  

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"Similarly" is a transition that means that a statement is very much like the previous statement
.Anwita and I are a lot alike. Anwita enjoys learning about the solar system. Similarly,

• I enjoy studying the stars.
  
• I dislike the dark.
  
• Anwita goes to bed early.
  
• I’m a vegetarian.
  

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"Despite" introduces a statement that could have affected another statement but did or does not. "Despite" means that you are still considering something even though evidence might suggest that you shouldn't.

Ronnie walked to the grocery store despite

• the threat of rain.
  
• desperately needing more bananas.
  
• planning to cook dinner later that day.
  
• wearing very sensible walking shoes.
  

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