Transitions Word Bank
What You Need to Know
Transitions are words/phrases that show the relationship between ideas (sentences or paragraphs). On the PSAT 8/9 (Writing & Language–style questions), transition questions test whether you can:
- Identify the logical connection (addition, contrast, cause/effect, example, time, conclusion, etc.).
- Choose a transition that matches the meaning and the tone.
- Make it grammatical with correct punctuation.
Core rule: Pick the transition that accurately describes the relationship between what comes before and what comes after—not what “sounds good.”
Critical reminder: Always read one sentence before and one sentence after the blank. Many wrong answers are “fine” in isolation but wrong in context.
Step-by-Step Breakdown
Use this quick process any time you’re choosing a transition.
Bracket the two ideas you’re connecting
- Idea A = what comes right before the blank.
- Idea B = what comes right after.
Name the relationship in one word
Ask: Is B adding to A? contradicting A? giving an example? showing a result? shifting time?- Add (more info)
- Contrast (difference/opposite)
- Cause → Effect (reason/result)
- Example (illustration)
- Time/Sequence (chronology)
- Conclusion/Summary (wrap-up)
- Concession (surprising contrast: “even though”)
- Clarification/Restatement (same idea, clearer)
Decide the scope (this is a PSAT trap)
- Within a sentence: you may need a coordinating conjunction (e.g., but, so) or a subordinating conjunction (e.g., although, because).
- Between sentences: you often need a transition word/phrase (e.g., However, Therefore,) with correct punctuation.
- Between paragraphs: choose a transition that matches the paragraph’s main job (shift, continue, or conclude).
Eliminate by meaning first
Cross out choices that signal the wrong relationship (e.g., However when B supports A).Check grammar + punctuation last
Make sure the transition fits the sentence structure.
Mini worked example (meaning first)
A: “The new bus route reduced commute times.”
B: “Residents reported feeling less stressed.”
- Relationship: cause → effect (reduced commute → less stress)
- Best transition: As a result, / Therefore,
- Not: However, (contrast) or For example, (example)
Mini worked example (scope + punctuation)
“Some spiders look dangerous; , most are harmless to humans.”
- Two complete sentences joined by a semicolon + transition = conjunctive adverb works.
- Best: “; however,”
Key Formulas, Rules & Facts
1) Transition “jobs” (meaning categories)
Below is a high-yield word bank grouped by what the transition does.
| Relationship (What B does to A) | High-yield transitions | Notes / PSAT traps |
|---|---|---|
| Addition (adds another point) | also, furthermore, moreover, in addition, additionally, besides | Besides can feel casual; avoid if tone is formal unless passage is casual. |
| Contrast (opposite/different) | however, in contrast, on the other hand, conversely, instead, nevertheless, nonetheless | On the other hand often implies an alternative viewpoint/option (needs a clear “other side”). |
| Concession (surprising contrast) | although, though, even though, despite this, even so, still | Concession = “A is true, but surprisingly B.” |
| Cause → Effect / Result | therefore, thus, as a result, consequently, so, for this reason | So is more informal; often best inside a sentence. |
| Effect → Cause / Explanation | because, since, as, given that, due to | Since can mean time (“from then until now”) OR cause—watch ambiguity. |
| Example / Illustration | for example, for instance, specifically, in particular, to illustrate | Use when B is a case of A, not just another point. |
| Clarification / Restatement | in other words, that is, to put it another way | Signals same idea, clearer wording. |
| Emphasis | indeed, in fact, above all, notably | Use when B strengthens A, not when B changes topic. |
| Time / Sequence | first, next, then, later, afterward, meanwhile, at the same time, previously, eventually | Meanwhile = simultaneous time, not contrast. |
| Conclusion / Summary | overall, in conclusion, to sum up, ultimately, in short | Don’t use if the passage continues developing ideas. |
| Condition | if, unless, provided that, as long as | Condition is not the same as cause. |
| Comparison / Similarity | similarly, likewise, in the same way | Needs a true similarity, not just “also.” |
2) Grammar + punctuation rules you actually need
Transition questions often hide a punctuation test.
| Structure | Correct pattern | Example | Common wrong pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two complete sentences | Sentence. Transition, sentence. | “It rained. However, the game continued.” | “It rained, however the game continued.” (comma splice) |
| Two complete sentences | Sentence; transition, sentence. | “It rained; however, the game continued.” | “It rained; however the game continued.” (missing comma after transition) |
| Two complete sentences | Sentence; sentence. (no transition) | “It rained; the game continued.” | N/A |
| One sentence with coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) | …, and/but/so…, | “It rained, but the game continued.” | “It rained; but the game continued.” (semicolon + FANBOYS is wrong) |
| Subordinating conjunction starting a dependent clause | Although/Because + clause, main clause. | “Although it rained, the game continued.” | “Although it rained; the game continued.” |
| Parenthetical interrupter | …, however, … | “The game, however, continued.” | “The game, however continued.” |
Conjunctive adverbs (often tested): however, therefore, moreover, consequently, nevertheless, thus, instead, meanwhile.
- They cannot join two complete sentences with just a comma.
Quick diagnostic: If you can put a period before the transition and the sentence still works, treat it like a “Sentence. Transition,” situation.
3) “Close-call” meaning distinctions (high-yield)
- However / In contrast: both show contrast.
- However = general “but.”
- In contrast = emphasizes difference between two things.
- Therefore / Thus / Consequently / As a result: all signal result.
- As a result is the clearest cause→effect.
- Meanwhile / At the same time: time overlap, not “but.”
- Additionally / Also: addition; also is simpler, additionally more formal.
- Specifically / In particular: zoom in with detail.
- Indeed / In fact: emphasis or correction (“actually”).
Examples & Applications
Example 1: Contrast vs. concession
Sentence pair:
“Amy trained for weeks for the race. , she didn’t win.”
- Relationship: concession (effort happened, surprising outcome)
- Best choices: Nevertheless, / Even so, / Still,
- Less precise: However, (works, but doesn’t highlight the surprise as strongly)
- Wrong: Therefore, (result would imply training caused losing)
Example 2: Addition vs. example
“Many planets have moons. , Jupiter has more than 70.”
- Relationship: example (Jupiter is a specific case of the general statement)
- Best: For example, / For instance,
- Wrong: Moreover, (adds a new point, but doesn’t clearly signal “this is an example”)
Example 3: Cause → effect (result)
“The city increased the number of recycling bins downtown. , litter decreased.”
- Relationship: result
- Best: As a result, / Consequently, / Therefore,
- Wrong: In contrast, (no difference being compared)
Example 4: Time shift vs. contrast trap
“Carla drafted her essay on Monday. , she revised it on Thursday.”
- Relationship: time/sequence
- Best: Later, / Afterward,
- Trap wrong: However, (revision doesn’t contradict drafting)
Common Mistakes & Traps
Picking what “sounds formal” instead of what’s true
- Wrong move: choosing moreover or thus because it sounds smart.
- Why wrong: transitions are about logic, not vibe.
- Fix: label the relationship first (add/contrast/result/example/time).
Ignoring the sentence AFTER the blank
- Wrong move: matching the transition to the previous sentence only.
- Why wrong: the transition must connect A to B.
- Fix: always read at least one sentence ahead.
Confusing contrast with concession
- Wrong move: using however when the passage is really “surprisingly, despite A, B.”
- Why wrong: concession emphasizes unexpectedness.
- Fix: if B is surprising given A, use nevertheless / even so / still / despite this.
Using an example transition when B isn’t an example
- Wrong move: using for example when B is just another supporting point.
- Why wrong: examples are specific instances.
- Fix: ask: “Is B one case of A?” If not, choose also/furthermore.
Time words mistaken for logical contrast
- Wrong move: using meanwhile or then to mean “but.”
- Why wrong: time transitions signal chronology/simultaneity.
- Fix: if the relationship is opposition, use however/in contrast.
Ambiguous ‘since’
- Wrong move: using since when it could mean time or cause.
- Why wrong: the sentence may become unclear.
- Fix: if you mean cause, because is usually clearer; if you mean time, use from then on / ever since.
Comma splices with conjunctive adverbs
- Wrong move: “I studied, therefore I improved.”
- Why wrong: two complete sentences cannot be joined by comma + conjunctive adverb.
- Fix: use “I studied; therefore, I improved.” or “I studied. Therefore, I improved.”
‘On the other hand’ without a real “other hand”
- Wrong move: using it for a simple contrast that doesn’t present an alternative viewpoint.
- Why wrong: it implies a clear second side/option.
- Fix: use however or in contrast unless you truly mean an alternative perspective.
Memory Aids & Quick Tricks
| Trick / mnemonic | What it helps you remember | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| A.C.E. = Add / Contrast / Effect | The three most common transition relationships tested | When you’re stuck: ask “Is this adding, opposing, or showing a result?” |
| FANBOYS = for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so | Coordinating conjunctions join two parts of a sentence with a comma | When the blank is inside one sentence and both sides are independent clauses |
| “Example = Specific” | Example transitions must introduce a particular case | When deciding between for example vs furthermore |
| “Result words point forward” | therefore/thus/as a result mean the next idea happens because of the previous one | When you see cause-and-effect logic |
| Punctuation check: ‘Period test’ | If you can put a period before the transition, use Transition, with a comma | When deciding between comma vs semicolon vs period |
Quick Review Checklist
- You read before and after the blank.
- You labeled the relationship: add, contrast, concession, result, example, time, summary, clarification.
- You chose a transition that matches the exact relationship (not just “kinda”).
- You avoided common confusions: meanwhile ≠ however, example ≠ addition, concession ≠ simple contrast.
- You checked scope (within sentence vs between sentences vs new paragraph).
- You verified punctuation:
- Sentence. However, sentence.
- Sentence; however, sentence.
- …, but … (FANBOYS)
- Although …, … (subordinating)
You’ve got this—treat transitions like a logic puzzle, not a vocabulary quiz.