English language resources

Transition, connecting or linking words and phrases ("signposts") tell the reader where the argument is going and what is coming next; essential for indicating flow of logic and argument. As you read you'll notice these signposts guiding the way. Use the list below to find the right word or phrase to connect, transition, or link the points in your writing.

• Time links: then, next, while, since and after.
• Cause and effect links: consequently, therefore, as a result.
• Addition Links: furthermore, moreover, similarly, in addition.
• Contrast Links: conversely, but, however, although, nevertheless, and whereas.
• Adding to a point already made: also, moreover, furthermore, again, further, in addition, besides, above all, too, as well as, either, neither...nor, not only...but also, similarly, correspondingly, in the same way, indeed, in fact, with respect to, and regarding.
• Writing in lists: first(ly), secondly(ly), third(ly), another, yet another, in addition, finally, to begin with, in the second place, moreover, additionally, also, next, then, and to conclude, lastly and finally.
• Putting the same idea in a different way: in other words, rather, or, better, in that case, to put it (more) simply, in view of this, with this in mind, to look at this another way.
• Introducing examples: that is to say, in other words, for example, for instance, namely, an example of this, and, as follows, as in the following examples, such as, including, especially, particularly, in particular, notably, chiefly, mainly and mostly.
• Introducing an alternative point: by contrast, another way of viewing this is, alternatively, again, rather, one alternative is, another possibility is, on the one hand...on the other hand, conversely, in comparison, on the contrary, in fact, though and although.
• Returning to emphasise your earlier viewpoint: however, nonetheless, in the final analysis, despite x, notwithstanding x, in spite of x, while x may be true, nonetheless, although, though, after all, at the same time, on the other hand, all the same, even if x is true, although x may have a good point.
• Showing the results of something: therefore, accordingly, as a result, so (then), it can be seen that, the result from this, consequently, now, we can see, then, that, it is evident that, because of this, thus, hence, for this reason, owing to x, this suggests that, it follows that, in other words, otherwise, in that case and that implies.
• Summing up or concluding: therefore, so, in short, in conclusion, to conclude, in all, on the whole, to summarise, to sum up briefly, in brief, altogether, overall, thus and thus we can see that.

Redundant words are those that repeat a concept within a phrase, and therefore serve no purpose. If you have redundant words in your writing, it is a sign that you need to do some editing. 

For example, the phrase "the chairs were small in size" is redundant because the reader would understand the meaning if you just said "the chairs were small", as the concept of size is implied in the sentence.

Consider some other ways that the removal of redundant words improves sentence clarity.

Redundant - It is interesting to note that this program has been in place since 2012. 
More concise -  This program has been in place since 2012. 

Redundant -These studies basically found that there has been a reduction in anti-social behaviours in the community over the past decade.
More concise -  These studies found that there has been a reduction in anti-social behaviours in the community over the past decade.

Redundant -The end result of the testing demonstrated benefits for the majority of participants.
More concise -  The testing demonstrated benefits for the majority of participants.

Here are more examples of redundant words:

• has been previously
• four different groups witnessed
• a total of 98 participants
• they were both alike
• one and the same
• in close proximity
• completely unanimous
• just exactly
• summarise briefly
• the reason is because
• due to the fact that
• each and every
• basically, precisely, definately, actually, generally, kind of