Transition Phrases

This post was written with LLM support.

Good writing does not just present ideas — it guides the reader through them. Transition phrases (linkers) signal how your points relate: addition, contrast, cause, example, result, and summary. Clear linkers improve coherence and make your argument easier to follow. However, to achieve these benefits, you must choose linkers that match the relationship you are expressing (e.g., only signal contrast if there is a contrast).

Sequencing main points

• First, … / Second, … / Finally, …
• A key issue is … / A further consideration is …

Example: “First, sustainable tourism generates stable local income without exhausting natural resources.”

Adding information

• In addition, …
• Furthermore, …
• Moreover, …
• Another consideration is …

Example: “The city has invested heavily in improving its public transportation infrastructure. In addition, local authorities have developed a comprehensive mobile application to help tourists navigate popular attractions more efficiently.”

Avoid starting sentences with “Also”; use “In addition,” instead.

Reasons and causes

Use these to explain why something happens. Prefer “because” in mid-sentence for clarity; use “Due to/Owing to” with a noun phrase or gerund.

• Because … (prefer mid-sentence): “… because …”
• Since … / As … (cause)
• Given that …
• Due to + noun/gerund, … / Owing to + noun/gerund, …
• This is because + subject + verb / This is due to + noun phrase

Example: “Given that rising sea levels threaten many coastal destinations, the tourism industry must develop sustainable adaptation strategies to protect both natural resources and local economies.”

Example: “The tourism industry must adapt because rising sea levels threaten coastal destinations.”

Example: “This is because sea levels are rising.”

Example: “This is due to rising sea levels.”

Contrast and concession

• Direct contrast: However, … / By contrast, … / In contrast, … / On the one hand … On the other hand …
• Concession: Although …, … / Despite + noun/gerund, … / Nevertheless, …
• Alternatives: Alternatively, …

Example (contrast): “Many people recognise the importance of regular physical activity for maintaining good health. However, recent studies indicate that sedentary lifestyles remain prevalent, particularly among office workers.”

Example (concession): “Although fitness tracking devices have become increasingly popular, research suggests that technology alone does not guarantee long-term adherence to exercise programs.”

Use “On the one hand … On the other hand …” only as a balanced pair. Do not use “On the other hand” alone.

Examples and clarification

• For example, …
• For instance, …
• Specifically, …
• In particular, …

Note that “instance” is often misspelled. {: .notice–warning}

Results and conclusions

• Therefore, …
• Consequently, …
• As a result, …

Example: “Recent graduates often lack practical work experience that employers consider essential for entry-level positions. Therefore, many universities have begun to integrate internship programs and work placements into their academic curricula.”

Summarising and concluding

• In summary, …
• Overall, …
• In conclusion, …
• The evidence suggests that …

“To sum it all up, …” is too informal for a semi-formal to formal essay.

Avoid FANBOYS at sentence starts

In formal and semi-formal writing, avoid beginning sentences with coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So). These are too informal for academic essays.

• Incorrect: And regular exercise improves both physical and mental health.

• Correct: In addition, regular exercise improves both physical and mental health.

• Incorrect: But critics argue otherwise.

• Correct: However, critics argue otherwise.

• Incorrect: So many companies changed their policies.
• Correct: Therefore, many companies changed their policies.

Use FANBOYS to join clauses within a sentence, not to start new sentences.