How to Correctly Incorporate Transitional Words in Your Writing

The use of transitional words in writing is necessary to bridge ideas and establish coherency—what is often colloquially referred to as “flow.” Transitional words, otherwise known as conjunctive adverbs (thus, therefore, however, consequently, furthermore, moreover, unfortunately) or coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so), are present in all forms of writing and express relationships between parts of a sentence or different sentences. A firm grasp on how to use them is fundamental to avoid confusing your reader.

There are four primary categories of transitional words, including additive, adversative, causal, and sequential. Usage of these categories relies on the function of the transition, which can be to show contrast or advance the writing. Most often (but not exclusively), transitional words and phrases appear at the beginning of a sentence or clause, for example:

Research on tech hubs proves that they are extraordinarily expensive. Nevertheless, their productivity gains outweigh their production costs.

Transitional words can also occur in the middle of a clause. For example:

They are nevertheless worth the cost of production.

One of the common misuses of transitional words is overuse. When overused, transitional words retract from a text’s readability, creating unnecessary verboseness and making the text feel repetitive. Take the following text for example:

X: The initial results were inconclusive. However, a second trial was conducted. Nonetheless, the repeated trials did not yield conclusive results. Therefore, the experiment failed.

which can be reworded to include only one transitional word:

✓: The initial results were inconclusive, and the experiment failed after repeated inconclusive trials.

There are many mistakes commonly made involving transitional words. Much of this has to do with words with similar meaning, but different grammatical structures, being used interchangeably, and informal transitional words being used to start sentences. Some examples are as follow:

Informal transitional words are discouraged in scientific and technical writing.

X: Also / And / So the results of the third trial were inconclusive.

✓: The results of the third trial were inconclusive.

✓: Additionally, the results of the third trial were inconclusive.

The use of and/or is discouraged in technical writing and is often unnecessary.

X: Use a scalpel and/or dissecting scissors to lift the abdominal muscle of the frog.

✓: Use a scalpel, scissors, or both to lift the abdominal muscle of the frog.

As well as introduces a less important element, whereas and implies that all listed elements are of equal importance.

X: The geologists collected samples of igneous as well as metamorphic rocks.

✓: The geologists collected samples of igneous and metamorphic rocks.

Cause-and-effect words must be used to state that one idea follows the previous and must not be used to form illogical connections.

X: The atmospheric pressure was measured using a barometer. Therefore, the weather was stable.

✓: The atmospheric pressure was measured using a barometer. The weather was stable.

When selecting transitional words in your writing, consider what will most efficiently and effectively connect your ideas and establish an organized flow. Be sure to avoid some of the more common transitional word misuses (and, importantly, overuse). Understand that transitional words are intended to express relationships between parts of a sentence or different sentences, and this should be done in a way to provide the most readability for your audience.