Clear communication: Transition words

Info

Du contenu semblable en français est présenté dans l’article Communication claire : mots de liaison.

General information on transition words

The words and expressions listed below can be used to connect ideas, making your message clearer.

Note: The words with an asterisk (*) may be hard for some readers to understand. Always choose words that are appropriate for your target audience.

Categories of transition words

The transition words in this tip are organized by function.

Addition

additionally*
again
along with
also
and
another
as previously stated*
as a matter of fact
as mentioned
as noted
as stated earlier
as well
besides
coupled with
embracing*
encompassing*
equally important
extending
further
furthermore*
in addition
moreover*
not only … but also
not to mention
other
supplementing*
too

Cause and effect

accordingly*
after
and so
as a consequence
as a result
because
being that
consequently*
due to
for
for this reason
hence*
if…then
in order to
in so much as*
in view of*
given that
on account of
owing to
seeing that
since
so
thanks to
then
therefore
thus*
under the circumstances

Comparison, similarity

again
alike
also
and
as
as well
balanced against
by comparison
comparatively*
compared to
compared with
in comparison
in the same way
just as
just like
like
likewise
similarly
vis a vis*

Concession

admittedly
albeit*
although
and yet
apart from
aside from
at any rate
at least
at the same time
despite
even so
even though
except for
granted
however
in any case
in spite of
nevertheless*
nonetheless*
notwithstanding*
of course
other than
regardless
still
though
while it may be true
yet

Conclusion, summary

after all
all in all
all things considered
as a final point
as a result
as noted
because
briefly
by and large
consequently*
eventually
finally
for the most part
generally speaking
given these points
immediately
in a word
in brief
in closing
in conclusion*
in essence
in short
in summary
in the end
last
lastly
later
meanwhile
next
on the whole
overall
presently*
previously*
since
soon
subsequently*
summing up
then
therefore
thus*
to put it briefly
to summarize
to sum up
ultimately*
while

Condition

as long as
assuming that
even if
even though
given that
granted that
granting that
if
in case
in the event that*
lest*
only if
on the condition that
provided that*
providing that*
so long as
unless
until

Consequence, result

accordingly*
as a consequence*
as a result
consequently*
if not
in that case
otherwise
owing to
since
so
so that
that being the case
then
therefore
through
thus*
under the circumstances
with the result that

Contrast

although
but
contrarily*
conversely*
despite
even though
however
in contrast
in fact
in spite of
instead
nevertheless*
notwithstanding*
on the contrary
on the other hand
or
otherwise
rather
still
unlike
whereas*
while
while this may be true
yet

Emphasis

above all
absolutely
again
also
as a matter of fact
besides
by all means
certainly
definitely
especially
chiefly*
equally important
even more
for this reason
furthermore*
in addition
indeed*
in fact
in particular
in truth
markedly
more important
naturally
of course
positively
really
surely
to repeat
truly
undeniably
without a doubt

Illustration

as a case in point
as a matter of fact
as an illustration
as can be seen
as shown above
by way of example*
by way of illustration*
for example
for instance
including
in other words
in particular
in this case
in this situation
namely
notably
on this occasion
particularly
specifically
such as
that is
that is to say
thus*
to clarify
to demonstrate
to explain
to illustrate
to put it another way

Personal opinion

as far as I am concerned
as for me
as I see it
from my point of view
from where I stand
I believe
I consider
I feel
in my opinion
in my view
I question whether
I think
it is my belief
it seems to me that
let me say
personally
that/this is my viewpoint
the way I see it

Sequence

after
afterward(s)
at first
at last
before
earlier
eventually
first (second, etc.)
finally
following
initially
in the first place
later
last
next
now
once
originally
presently*
prior to
shortly
soon
subsequent*
to begin with
then
until

Time

about
after
afterward(s)
all of a sudden
another
as soon as
at
at last
at length
at the same time
before
concurrently*
currently
during
eventually
finally
first (second, etc.)
formerly
from time to time
generally
immediately
in a moment
in due time
initially
in the interim*
in the meantime
last
later
meanwhile
never
next
next week
now
occasionally
once
ordinarily
presently*
previously*
quickly
rarely
shortly
simultaneously*
since
soon
sooner or later
subsequently*
suddenly
then
this instant
to begin with
today
tomorrow
until
until now
usually
when suddenly
whenever
while
without delay
yesterday

Additional information

Avis de droit d’auteur pour l’outil Writing Tips Plus

© Sa Majesté le Roi du chef du Canada, représenté par le ou la ministre des Services publics et de l’Approvisionnement
Un outil créé et mis en ligne par le Bureau de la traduction, Services publics et Approvisionnement Canada

Rechercher par thèmes connexes

Vous voulez en apprendre davantage sur un thème abordé dans cette page? Cliquez sur un lien ci-dessous pour voir toutes les pages du Portail linguistique du Canada portant sur le thème choisi. Les résultats de recherche s’afficheront dans le Navigateur linguistique.

Clear communication

Liens connexes

Writing Tips Plus (page d’accueil)
Outils d’aide à la rédaction
Navigateur linguistique (permet de trouver rapidement des conseils linguistiques)
TERMIUM Plus^®

WxT Language switcher

Sélection de la langue

Rechercher