Transitions Cheat Sheet – Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering transitional words and phrases from the lecture notes, grouped by their rhetorical function (additive, causal, contrastive, temporal, clarifying, etc.).

Additionally

Transition used to add information or provide further support.

Also

Simple additive transition introducing more of the same idea.

And

Basic coordinating conjunction adding another related point.

Furthermore

Formal additive connector that strengthens or extends a previous statement.

In addition

Phrase that introduces extra information beyond what was already stated.

Moreover

Emphatic additive transition signaling an even stronger or more important point.

With this in mind

Phrase that draws attention to a previous idea before adding or expanding on it.

For example

Introduces a specific instance to illustrate a broader claim.

For instance

Synonym for “for example,” used to present a concrete illustration.

Specifically

Narrows a general statement to precise details or cases.

In many cases

Qualifier that introduces a common or frequent example of a broader trend.

By comparison

Signals that the writer is about to compare two or more items.

Likewise

Shows similarity between two preceding ideas or situations.

Similarly

Indicates a parallel or analogous point is coming next.

In comparison

Marks the start of a comparative discussion of similarities or differences.

In fact

Reinforces or confirms a previous assertion with stronger evidence.

Indeed

Emphatic restatement that underscores the truth of a preceding claim.

That is

Used to clarify or rephrase a statement for better understanding.

In other words

Introduces a restatement designed to simplify or clarify an idea.

Effectively

Signals a practical summary or interpretation of prior details.

Essentially

Introduces the core meaning or most important aspect of something.

In sum

Concise phrase used to recap key ideas briefly.

In summary

Signals a formal concluding recap of main points.

Earlier

Temporal transition referring to a point in the past within the discussion.

Lastly

Marks the final item or point in a sequence.

Next

Indicates the immediately following step or event.

Nowadays

Time marker contrasting present circumstances with past ones.

Previously

Refers to an earlier time or prior statement for context.

Subsequently

Shows that one action followed another in time.

Then

Indicates sequence or consequence depending on context.

Today

Temporal marker situating a statement in the present era.

Finally

Signals the end of a sequence or introduces a final point.

While (temporal)

Shows two events happening at the same time.

Secondly

Introduces the second point in an ordered list.

Accordingly

Expresses logical result or consequence of earlier information.

As a result

Shows that something happens because of a previously mentioned cause.

As such

Links cause and effect by referring back to a stated condition.

Because

Introduces a direct reason or cause for something.

Consequently

Formal transition showing that a result naturally follows.

For (cause)

Old-fashioned conjunction giving a reason: “for” meaning “because.”

For this reason

States a specific cause before presenting its effect or decision.

Hence

Brief, formal connector signifying a logical outcome or next step.

In turn

Shows a secondary effect or sequence of causation.

Since (cause)

Introduces a reason that justifies the main clause.

So

Everyday causal connector that introduces a consequence.

Thus

Formal word meaning ‘therefore’; marks a logical conclusion.

Therefore

Classic cause-and-effect transition concluding from prior facts.

To this end

Indicates an action undertaken to achieve a stated goal.

To that end

Alternate phrasing for pursuing a previously identified objective.

Alternately

Introduces another possible sequence or choice, often in rotation.

Alternatively

Presents a different option or possibility from what was just stated.

Although

Subordinating conjunction that concedes a point before contrasting it.

Though

Less formal synonym for “although,” signaling concession or contrast.

Besides

Adds contrasting or exceptional information, often implying exclusion.

But

Basic coordinating conjunction indicating contrast or exception.

Conversely

Marks a complete and opposite relationship between two ideas.

Despite

Preposition introducing a fact that contrasts with the main clause.

In spite of

Synonym for “despite,” showing something occurs regardless of a factor.

Even so

Highlights an unexpected contrast despite previous information.

Even though

Strong concessive phrase introducing information that contrasts with outcome.

However

Versatile contrast connector introducing an opposing idea.

In any case

Suggests the speaker will proceed regardless of prior objections.

In contrast

Directly introduces a contrasting idea or situation.

Instead

Shows a substitution or replacement of the previous idea.

Meanwhile

Indicates simultaneous actions, often with contrasting focus.

Nevertheless

Concedes prior point but signals persistence of another truth.

Nonetheless

Synonym of “nevertheless,” acknowledging a concession yet continuing.

On the contrary

States that the opposite of the previous statement is true.

On the other hand

Introduces an alternative viewpoint or contrasting argument.

Otherwise

Presents a negative consequence if the prior condition is unmet.

Rather

Indicates preference for one choice over another, often correcting.

Regardless

Shows that the following idea stands despite obstacles or objections.

Still (contrast)

Marks persistence of an idea contrary to expectations.

That said

Acknowledges previous point before offering a slight contrast or caveat.

Whereas

Formal conjunction contrasting two different facts in parallel clauses.

Yet (contrast)

Adds an unexpected or contrasting idea to a previous statement.

Fittingly

Highlights that a result or example matches expectations in context.

Granted

Admits a point as true before introducing a limitation or contrast.

There (location)

Transition word used to point out position or placement in space.

Ultimately

Signals the final outcome or the most important concluding point.