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Study Guide · Chapter 8
7. Transition and Linking-Word Reference Table
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The table below consolidates over forty transition and linking words by the logical function each one signals, together with the sentence position that function typically implies. Use this as a rapid-scan reference whenever you are unsure what a connective is doing in a jumbled sentence.
| Function | Words / phrases | What position this typically signals |
|---|---|---|
| Addition | moreover, furthermore, in addition, besides, also, additionally, likewise, similarly | Mid-paragraph — cannot open; extends the immediately preceding idea |
| Contrast / concession | however, but, yet, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, conversely, whereas, although, even so, still | Mid-to-late paragraph — cannot open; requires a prior idea to push against |
| Cause | because, since, as, for, owing to, due to, given that, on account of | Attached to or immediately before its effect sentence |
| Result / consequence | therefore, thus, hence, consequently, as a result, so, accordingly, for this reason | Cannot open; must follow the sentence stating the cause |
| Sequence (chronological) | first, initially, at the outset, then, next, subsequently, afterwards, later, eventually, finally | Fixed relative order must be preserved across the paragraph |
| Enumeration | firstly, secondly, thirdly, lastly, to begin with, to conclude | Fixed numeric order must be preserved |
| Exemplification | for example, for instance, such as, namely, to illustrate, in particular | Follows the general claim it is illustrating |
| Emphasis | indeed, in fact, notably, significantly, above all | Reinforces the immediately preceding claim; rarely opens |
| Summary / conclusion | in conclusion, overall, to sum up, ultimately, in the end, all things considered | Very often the closing sentence |
| Time-relative markers | a year later, soon after, within a week, by then, since then, in the meantime | Require an anchor event stated earlier |
| Time-absolute markers | in [year], on [date], by [year] | Can open the paragraph if free of pronouns |
| Simultaneity | meanwhile, at the same time, simultaneously | Parallel to, not strictly after, the nearby event |
| Comparison reference | the former, the latter, the first-mentioned, the one, the other | Require exactly two named items established earlier |
| Demonstrative back-reference | this, that, these, those, such | Point to an idea or noun already stated; cannot open |
| Condition | if, provided that, unless, in case, as long as | Sets up a scenario the following sentence resolves |
| Purpose | so that, in order to, with a view to | Attached to the action it explains the goal of |
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