TRANSITIONAL MARKERS

Formality Levels for transition Words and Expressions

transition Words and Expressions

Compiled by Ms. Terri Yueh

time
To clarify chronological order


Sentence connector
First, second, third, fourth, .. Next, last, finally,. First of all, meanwhile, after that, since then,

 

subordinator
Before, after, while, until as soon as,

phrases
The first (+N.), the second (+N) before the (+N), in the year, since the (+N)

Importance
 

To indicate order of importance: Ascending order, Descending order, Equal importance

Sentence connector
More important, most important, above all

phrases
The most important (+N)

Cause & Effect

To introduce reasons
  

Coordinator

Subordinator

for Because, since, as

Phrases

Because of, as a result of, as a consequence of, due to, to result from, the result of, the effect of A on B, the consequence of,

To introduce results  Sentence connector

Accordingly, as a result, as a consequence, therefore, thus, consequently, hence, so, the cause of the reason for, to result in, to cause, to have an effect on, to affect


Coordinator

Phrases

Comparison & Contrast

To introduce a comparison  Sentence connector Similarly, likewise, also, too  Coordinator and  Subordinator as, just as  Phrases like, just as, just like (+N), be alike, Be similar (to), be the same as, bothand, not onlybut also, to compare to, to compare with, In like manner, To introduce contrast (strong opposition)  Sentence connector However, in contrast, in (by) comparison, on the other hand, on the contrary  Coordinator but,  Subordinator while, whereas  Phrases to be different from, to differ from, To be dissimilar, to be unlike, to compare with,

Alternative & Concession

To introduce an concession
   

Sentence connector

however, nevertheless, nonetheless, still though

Coordinator but, yet Subordinator although, though, even Phases despite + N, in spite of + N Sentence connector Otherwise Coordinator Or Subordinator If, unless

To introduce an alternative
  

TRANSITIONAL MARKERS Formality Levels

Formality Levels for transition Words and Expressions

Formality Levels

Compiled by Ms. Terri Yueh

addition
 

Basic form for informal and formal use

also, first, second, etc.

More formal
additionally, besides, further, furthermore in addition, last but not least, next, not only but also, too,

Most formal
equally important, moreover, similarly

Cause & Effect

reasons or results
  

Basic form for informal and formal use

for, because, then, therefore

More formal
As a result, for this reason, since, thus

Most formal
according, as a consequence of, due to, to result from, consequently, hence

time
To clarify chronological order


Basic form for informal and formal use

after a while, after that, also, at last, currently, earlier now, since then, eventually, finally, first, second, etc. In the future, in the past, next, last, finally

More formal
afterward, at the same time, first of all, meanwhile formerly, immediately, in the meantime, later

Most formal
concurrently, previously, simultaneously, subsequently

example
  

Basic form for informal and formal use

for example

More formal
for instance, in other words

Most formal
as an example, as an illustration, to exemplify

comparison


Basic form for informal and formal use

also, like, too

More formal
both . . . and, neither. . . nor, in the same way, compared to, likewise, as well as

Most formal
by comparison, in common with, similarly, in like manner

contrast


Basic form for informal and formal use

however

More formal
instead, nevertheless, on the other hand

Most formal
conversely, in contrast to, in opposition to, on the contrary,otherwise,still whereas

summary--conclusion
 

Basic form for informal and formal use

finally, therefore

More formal
after all, all in all, at last, briefly consequently, last, on the whole, in sum, thus

Most formal
accordingly, as a consequence, in brief, in short in closing, in conclusion, in summary to conclude, to summarize