IELTS Writing: Transitions

A useful writing tip for students Learn a few transitions, use them correctly and recycle them. The IELTS examiner marking your essay will never know that you have repeated the same transitions essay after essay, and your English teacher wont care, as long as you are using them effectively.

What idea do you want to express? Similarity Exception/Contrast

Transition or linking expression also, in the same way, likewise, similarly, just as ... so too on (the) one hand ... on the other hand but, however, in spite of (the fact that), despite (the fact that), in contrast, still, yet, nevertheless, nonetheless

Sequence/Order

firstly, secondly, thirdly/finally; next, then, last; finally, most of all, most importantly

Example Additional Support or Evidence

for example, for instance, namely, specifically, to illustrate additionally, again, also, and, as well, besides, equally important, further, furthermore, in addition, moreover

Emphasis Cause and Effect

even, indeed, in fact, of course, truly, most importantly therefore, so, accordingly, consequently, as a consequence, thus, hence

Conclusion/Summary

finally, in brief, in conclusion, in the end, on the whole, to conclude, to summarize, in summary (never: in resume)

Time

after, afterwards, at last, before, currently, during, earlier, immediately, later, meanwhile, now, recently, simultaneously, subsequently, then

Place/Position

above, adjacent, below, beyond, here, in front, in back, nearby, there