SAT Transition Words

Words that add a piece of information to the same subject you were already discussing: (ex: My stapler is six inches long. _, it’s light gray.)

Additionally, Also, And, Furthermore, In addition, Moreover

Words that show how two things are similar: (ex: My stapler is light gray. , my ruler is light gray.)

Likewise, Similarly

Words that PROVIDE a specific example OF something you just said: (ex: Many office supplies these days are light gray. _, my stapler and ruler are both this color.)

For example, For instance, Specifically

Words that clarify or explain something you just said: (ex: In our capitalist and increasingly visual society, office supply companies are catering to the demands of the public by creating aesthetically-pleasing models of previously ugly or boring items. _, they are selling light gray and pink rulers and staplers instead of the gaudy neon or basic wooden versions of old.)

Effectively, Essentially, In other words, That is

Words that emphasize something you just said: (ex: Office supply companies are more concerned with appealing to as broad an audience as possible. In fact, they seem to think it’s more important to make staplers available in every color than to ensure that the staplers actually hold pages together well!)

In fact, Indeed

Words that show how two ideas contradict or go against ONE other (Hard Transition): (ex: She was thirsty. , she didn’t drink the seltzer.)

Alternatively, Conversely, Even so, However, In any case, Instead, Meanwhile, Nevertheless, Nonetheless, Otherwise, Rather, Regardless, Still

Words that show how two ideas contradict or go against ONE other (Soft Transition): (ex: _ being thirsty, she didn’t drink the seltzer.)

Although, But, Despite, In spite of, Though, Whereas, While, Yet

Words that show how two things or people are different from each other:

Alternately, Alternatively, By contrast, In contrast, On the contrary, On the other hand

Words that come before the reason/cause: (Ex: _ she was so thirsty, she drank an entire case of seltzers.)

Because, For, Since

Words that indicate the result/effect:(Ex: She was quite thirsty. _, she drank an entire case of seltzers.)

Accordingly, As a result, As such, Consequently, Hence, So, Thus, Therefore, To these ends