Transition words for writers include additive words (furthermore, moreover, additionally), contrasting words (however, nevertheless, conversely), causal words (therefore, consequently, thus), and sequential words (subsequently, meanwhile, thereafter). In fiction, the most useful transitions are temporal and spatial — they move readers through time and place without stopping the story. In non-fiction, logical transitions (especially contrast and causation) are essential for clear argument.
Most lists of transition words are built for academic essays. This list is for writers of all types — fiction, non-fiction, personal essay — with specific guidance on what each transition actually does and where it belongs.
Transition Words to Add Information
These transitions build on what came before, adding weight or additional evidence.
- Furthermore — adds a point that strengthens the previous one
- Moreover — introduces a stronger or more important addition
- Additionally — neutral addition; slightly formal
- In addition — similar to additionally; less formal
- Also — the most informal additive; use sparingly in formal writing
- Besides — introduces a supporting point, often with a slight “and another thing” tone
- What’s more — informal; signals escalation
- Not only that — informal; emphasises that the following point extends the previous one
Transition Words to Show Contrast
Contrast transitions are among the most important for argument and for fiction where characters disagree or situations complicate each other.
- However — the most versatile contrast word; use to pivot from one position to another
- Nevertheless — stronger than however; signals that the following point holds despite the previous one
- Nonetheless — interchangeable with nevertheless in most contexts
- Conversely — introduces the opposite side; more formal
- On the other hand — signals a direct contrast, often presenting an alternative view
- Yet — informal contrast; works at the start of a sentence in non-fiction as well as fiction
- Still — suggests persistence despite what came before
- That said — concedes the previous point before qualifying it
- Even so — acknowledges a valid objection before proceeding
- In contrast — formal; draws an explicit comparison to show difference
Transition Words to Show Cause and Effect
Causal transitions are essential for argument and for plot logic in fiction. They show why things happen.
- Therefore — draws a conclusion from what came before; formal and logical
- Consequently — signals a result; slightly more neutral than therefore
- Thus — formal; often used in academic and analytical writing
- As a result — clear and direct; works in most registers
- Hence — formal; often used in academic writing; avoid in fiction
- So — the most informal causal connector; powerful in the right context
- Because of this — explicit causal link; useful when the cause needs emphasis
- For this reason — summarises the preceding cause before stating the effect
- Accordingly — suggests action that follows logically from what came before
Transition Words for Time and Sequence in Fiction
Temporal transitions are the workhorse of fiction. They move the story through time without stopping for explanation.
Moving Forward in Time
- Later — the simplest forward transition; never wrong
- Shortly after — suggests a brief interval
- The next morning/day/week — specific temporal anchor
- Subsequently — formal; more appropriate in non-fiction
- Thereafter — slightly archaic; useful for long intervals
- Eventually — implies time passed and effort was involved
- Before long — suggests the coming event was anticipated
Moving Backward in Time (Flashback)
- Earlier — the cleanest backstep for recent events
- Before this — explicit; useful when the timeline is complex
- Previously — neutral; works in both fiction and non-fiction
- Once — signals a past that has ended; slightly elegiac in tone
- Long before — emphasises distance in time
Showing Simultaneous Events
- Meanwhile — cuts to another thread happening at the same time
- At the same time — more explicit version of meanwhile
- Simultaneously — formal; usually for non-fiction
- While — built into a sentence; the most seamless simultaneous connector
Transition Words for Examples and Illustration
- For example — introduces a specific instance; universal
- For instance — interchangeable with for example in most contexts
- To illustrate — signals that what follows is a demonstration
- Specifically — narrows from general to particular
- In particular — emphasises a specific item within a broader point
- Such as — introduces examples within a sentence; no comma needed before it
- Namely — introduces a specific identification; formal
- Take the case of — informal; introduces an anecdote or case study
Transition Words to Conclude or Summarise
- In conclusion — signals the final point; very formal; avoid in personal essays
- In summary — recaps the preceding points; more neutral than in conclusion
- To sum up — informal; works in essays and speeches
- Ultimately — signals the most important or final point; also used to mean “in the end” in narrative
- In short — introduces a brief restatement of a complex point
- Taken together — useful for synthesising multiple points into a single conclusion
- The upshot is — informal; signals a practical conclusion
Transition Words to Concede a Point
Concession transitions acknowledge a valid opposing view before returning to your own position. They make arguments more credible.
- Admittedly — concedes a point without abandoning your position
- Granted — acknowledges a valid objection; useful in argument
- It is true that — introduces a concession before a “but”
- While it may be true that — formal concession
- Certainly — concedes a strong point before qualifying it
- Of course — acknowledges something obvious; signals confidence
Transition Mistakes Writers Make
Using transitions as throat-clearing
A transition should do work. “Furthermore” means: this additional point strengthens what came before. If you write “Furthermore” and the sentence could equally follow from nothing, you are not using the word — you are decorating with it. Cut it.
Starting every paragraph with a transition
Not every paragraph needs a signposted transition. When ideas follow naturally from each other, an explicit transition is redundant. Trust the logic of your argument to carry the reader. Over-transitioning makes writing feel like it is explaining itself to an anxious reader rather than moving forward.
Using formal transitions in informal writing
“Hence” and “thus” belong in academic writing. In personal essays, blog posts, and fiction, they create register mismatch — a formal word in an informal context signals that the writer is performing seriousness rather than achieving it. Match your transitions to your register.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best transition words for fiction writing?
For fiction, temporal transitions are most useful: later, the next morning, meanwhile, before long, eventually. Avoid heavy formal transitions like therefore and consequently in narrative — they belong in argument, not story. The lightest transitions work best: “Later,” as a sentence opener, is often all you need to move a scene forward in time.
What is the difference between however and nevertheless?
Both introduce contrast, but nevertheless carries a stronger sense of “despite everything.” Use however for a standard pivot; use nevertheless when you want to emphasise that the following point holds even against significant resistance. “The plan was flawed. Nevertheless, they proceeded” — the word earns its length here.
What are overused transition words to avoid?
The most overused transitions: however (every other paragraph), additionally (as a way to avoid deciding what order points should go in), in conclusion (in informal writing), and basically (which almost never means anything). Also watch obviously and clearly — they signal the writer is telling the reader what to think rather than trusting the point to make itself.