How and why to use transition words in writing

Business writing needs to be simple, concise and to the point. But your writing can sound choppy and robotic if it’s just a series of short statements.

On the other hand, transition words connect ideas and show relationships. Like a bridge, they ensure a smooth flow from sentence to sentence, paragraph to paragraph and subject to subject. As a result, your writing becomes easier to read and understand.

Another way of putting it is they give your argument meaning and clarity, as they define the relationships between your facts and ideas.

Using transition words for SEO

Another thing: they’re good for search engine optimisation (SEO) on websites. Google likes pages with plenty of transitions, so it pushes these further up search results, and gets you more clicks.

Here are some examples you can draw from:

Agreement or Addition

Again, also, and, as a matter of fact, besides, certainly, correspondingly, furthermore, in addition, moreover, of course.

Comparison

As, identically, in the same way, like, likewise, similarly.

Concession

Although, granted, naturally, of course.

Contrast / Opposition

Although, at the same time, but, despite, even so, even though, however, in contrast, nevertheless, on the contrary, on the other hand, still, whereas, while, yet.

Emphasis

Certainly, indeed, in fact, in other words, of course, most importantly, particularly.

Example

After all, even though, for example, for instance, in other words, nevertheless, specifically.

Result

As a result, because, consequently, for that reason, hence, in effect, therefore, thus.

Sequence

First, finally, initially, second, then.

Summary/Conclusion

All in all, altogether, for the most part, in brief, in summary, on balance, on the whole, overall, to sum up.

Time

After that, as long as, before, by the time, eventually, immediately, later, meanwhile, now, since then, until now, whenever.

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My business writing courses cover transitions; do check them out!