The Writing Lab D204d

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Transitions Between Sentences

Sentence-level transitions are words or short phrases that relate two or more clauses
(complete ideas with a subject and a verb). The most common sentence-level transitions are
coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions, conjunctive adverbs, and transitional phrases.
Although transitions are not necessary at the beginning of each sentence, you need to use many types
of transitions effectively to show relationships and prevent your writing from seeming disconnected.

Coordinating Conjunctions
There are seven coordinating conjunctions, commonly referred to using the acronym FANBOYS:
for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. Coordinating conjunctions connect sentences equally. When you use a
coordinating conjunction, one sentences meaning does not depend on the others; instead, both
sentences are independent, but linked.
She loves to eat cherry pie, but she is a messy eater.

In this example, we learn two facts about the person: she loves to eat cherry pies. She is a messy eater.
The coordinating conjunction but shows the contrasting relationship between the two facts. However,
if the sentences switch places, neither the meaning nor the relationship changes:
She is a messy eater, but she loves to eat cherry pie.

Punctuating Coordinating Conjunctions

When a coordinating conjunction connects two complete sentences, place a comma before the
conjunction.
I love to eat cherry pie, but I am a messy eater.

When a coordinating conjunction connects two phrases or words, do not use a comma.
I went to the bakery and bought a cherry pie.

Subordinating Conjunctions (Subordinators)

Subordinators show an unequal relationship between two sentences. Subordinators make one
sentences meaning depend on anothers, so sentences that begin with a subordinator always depend
on another sentence that does not begin with a subordinator.
I went to the bakery because I wanted a cherry pie.
Because I went to the bakery, I wanted cherry pie.
1

In both of the examples above, the clause that begins with because depends on the other sentence.
Unlike coordinating conjunctions, though, when the subordinator changes places in the sentence, the
entire meaning changes. The first sentence shows that the cause I wanted cherry pie leads to the
effect I went to the bakery. The second sentence says that the cause I went to the bakery leads to
the effect I wanted cherry pie. See the Appendix for common subordinators and the types of
relationship they show.
Punctuating Subordinating Conjunctions

If the subordinator is between the two sentences, do not use a comma.

I went to the bakery because I wanted a cherry pie.

If the subordinator comes in front of the first sentence, place a comma between the two
sentences, NEVER after the subordinator.
Although I got to the bakery early, they were sold out of pies.

Conjunctive Adverbs and Transitional Phrases

Conjunctive adverbs and transitional phrases show the relationship between two sentences
without connecting them. They simply serve to explain how two sentences relate. Strong punctuation
always separates a conjunctive adverb or transitional phrase from both sentences.
I got to the bakery early. Unfortunately, they were sold out of pies.

In the example above, unfortunately shows a contrasting relationship between the two sentences.
However, unfortunately is separated from the first sentence by a period and from the second by a
comma. This punctuation causes a significant pause for the reader, meaning that the two sentences do
not join; instead, unfortunately simply helps the reader move from one idea to the next. See the
Appendix for common conjunctive adverbs and transitional phrases and the types of connection they
show.
Punctuating Transitional Expressions

When a conjunctive adverb or transitional phrase joins two clauses, use a semicolon or period
between the two clauses and a comma after the transition expression.
She wanted cherry pie. However, the bakery was sold out.
She wanted cherry pie; on the other hand, I wanted a cookie.

When a transitional expression is in the middle of a clause, put a comma before and after the
transitional expression.
She wanted cherry pie; I, on the other hand, wanted a cookie.

Appendix
The following table shows subordinating conjunctions, conjunctive adverbs, and transitional phrases that
indicate certain types of relationships.

Subordinators

Conjunctive Adverbs / Transitional Phrases

To add or show sequence
again

also

besides

equally important

finally
in addition

first, second
in the first
place
still

further
last

furthermore
moreover

then

too

likewise

in the same way

next

To compare
as
as though
so as

as if
just as

also

similarly

although

despite

even so

for all that

however

even though

than

but at the
same time
in contrast

in spite of

nevertheless

notwithstanding

on the contrary

on the other
hand

regardless

still

To contrast

though

To provide examples or intensify

after all
for example
indeed
that is

an illustration
of
for instance
it is true
to illustrate

another/ one
example is
in fact
of course
truly

even
in particular
specifically

To indicate place
where

wherever

above

adjacent to

atop

below

beyond
here
north, south,
east, west
over

close
in
on

elsewhere
near
on the other
side
to the left/ right

farther/ farther on
nearby
opposite

at last
earlier
in the past

at length
formerly
lately

now
simultaneously

once
so far

then

thereafter

there

To indicate time
as
as soon as
before

as long as
after
now that

after a while
at that time
immediately

once
until

since
when

later
presently

afterward
before
in the
meantime
meanwhile
shortly

whenever

while

soon

subsequently
3

To show cause or effect

as
as long as

because
since

inasmuch as

accordingly
hence

as a result
otherwise

consequently
then

for this purpose

therefore

thereupon

thus

to this end

with this object

To give additional information or support

additionally
furthermore

again
in addition to

also
in the first place

equally important
incidentally

moreover
too

more so

next

otherwise

To indicate chronology or order

after

as

afterward

at last

during

earlier

before

once

finally

first, second

formerly

immediately

since

until

later

meanwhile

never

when
while

whence

in the
meantime
next
subsequently

now
then

once
thereafter

shortly

because of
however
thus

consequently
otherwise

To show logic
because
since

if

also
for this reason
then

as a result
hence
therefore

To repeat, summarize, or conclude

all in all

altogether

as has been said

finally

in brief
in particular
on the whole

in closing
in short
that is

in conclusion
in simpler terms
then

in other words
in summary
therefore

to close

to put it
differently

to sum up

to summarize

To concede
although
if

even though
though

whereas

while

To show conditions
as long as

if

in case
provided that

inasmuch as
unless

in order that
so that

lest
that

On the
condition that

To show purpose