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Transition Words & Phrases for Your TOEFL Essay

WritingUpdated 7 min read

Transition words and phrases show how one idea connects to the next: adding a point, giving an example or reason, contrasting two views, or wrapping up. Below are over 200 of them, grouped by function, each group with an example sentence, followed by the punctuation rules and common mistakes that cost TOEFL test-takers points.

The transitions you'll use most

If you only learn a handful, learn these. They cover almost every move in a short TOEFL response, such as an academic discussion post, an email, or a spoken answer.

PurposeTransitionExample
Examplefor example / for instanceFor example, my cousin learned to code from free online videos.
Addingin addition / moreoverIn addition, online courses let students review lectures at their own pace.
Reasonbecause / sinceI prefer small classes because I can ask questions more easily.
Resultas a result / thereforeThe library extended its hours. As a result, more students study there at night.
Contrasthowever / on the other handLarge universities offer many courses. However, classes can be crowded.
Concessionadmittedly / althoughAdmittedly, working part-time takes time away from studying.
Conclusionin short / overallIn short, the benefits of the plan outweigh its costs.

Giving examples, listing and adding points

Introducing an example

  • for example · for instance · such as · like · including… · namely · in particular
  • a case in point is… · a good example (of…) would be… · as an illustration · consider… · take the case of… · take (something) as an example · as proof
  • in this case · in this situation · on this occasion · to detail this

Many animals change their behavior in winter. For instance, some bears hibernate for several months.

Listing points in order

  • first · first of all · to begin with · in the first (second) place · second · next · finally
  • for one thing… · for another…

For one thing, the new schedule saves time. For another, it is cheaper.

Adding another point

  • also · in addition · furthermore · moreover · besides · beyond that · what is more

The bike-sharing program reduces traffic. Moreover, it encourages people to exercise.

Referring to a topic, a source or the reader

  • as for · as regards · as to · according to
  • as you know · as he explains · you may ask / you may say · it is interesting to note that… · I would like to… · I will say…

According to the professor, the experiment needs a larger sample.

Simplifying or summarizing a point

  • to put it simply · stated roughly

To put it simply, the plan costs more than it saves.

Giving a reason

  • because · because of · since · as · for · due to · owing to · on account of · on the grounds of · as a result of · in view of
  • in that… · for the reason that… · for this reason · another important factor (reason) for… is…
  • the reason seems to be obvious · being that (informal; avoid in writing)
  • to result from (X results from Y: "Most delays result from bad weather.")

I chose this university because of its strong engineering program.

because vs. because of

Use because before a clause (subject + verb) and because of before a noun: "because the bus was late" but "because of the late bus." The same pattern applies to although (clause) vs. despite (noun).

Time

At the same time

  • at the same time · meanwhile · in the meantime · simultaneously · concurrently

Before now

  • before · earlier · previously · formerly · preceding this · some time ago

Now

  • now · at present · presently · at this time · at this point · lately · so far

After and later

  • then · after · afterwards · after this · after a while · later · following this · subsequently · shortly · not long after · since · since then · from this time on · until · when · as soon as

Suddenly or immediately

  • immediately · at once · all of a sudden

Beginning and end

  • at the outset · at that time · eventually · finally · lastly · at length · in the end

I studied for two hours. Afterwards, I reviewed my notes with a friend.

Place

These are mostly prepositions for describing where things are, useful when you describe a place, a picture or a campus location.

  • Position: above · below · beneath · behind · before (formal: "in front of") · next to · close to · close at hand · between · in the middle of · in the center of · around · against · at the bottom · down · on the left/right
  • Facing: across · across from · opposite to · on the opposite side
  • Distance: far · farther · beyond · in the distance

The library is across from the main dining hall, next to the science building.

Clarification and emphasis

Restating

  • in other words · again · once again · to repeat · as I have said above · as has been pointed out

Emphasizing

  • indeed · in fact · actually · truly · certainly · surely · of course · no doubt · needless to say · to be sure · after all

Highlighting the most important point

  • above all · especially · particularly · chiefly · most important of all · even worse

The course is expensive. In other words, not every student can afford it. Above all, it is only offered once a year.

Cause and effect

  • so · then · therefore · thus · hence · consequently · as a result · as a consequence · in consequence · accordingly
  • for this reason · on that account · it follows that · under these conditions · inevitably · thereupon (formal and rare)
  • so that (purpose: "I left early so that I could catch the bus.")
  • so… as to (formal: "He was so tired as to fall asleep in class.")
  • not only… but (also)… (adds a second, stronger point: "The plan is not only cheap but also fast.")

The city built more bike lanes. Consequently, fewer people drive to work.

Comparison

  • similarly · likewise · in the same way · in like manner · too · also · both · like · as · compared with · in comparison with

Reading improves vocabulary. Similarly, listening to podcasts helps you learn natural phrases.

Contrast and concession

Contrasting two ideas

  • but · however · yet · whereas · while · conversely · in contrast (with/to) · by contrast · on the contrary · on the one hand… on the other hand
  • unlike · different from · the opposite (of) · as opposed to · (be) opposed to ("Many parents are opposed to the new rule.") · rather · instead · instead (of) · or · nor
  • it's just the other way around (informal)

Some students prefer group work. Others, however, learn best alone.

Conceding a point, then continuing

  • still · nevertheless · nonetheless · though · even though · for all that · notwithstanding · at the same time

Online classes are convenient. Nevertheless, many students miss face-to-face discussion.

Conclusion

  • in conclusion · to conclude · to sum up · to summarize · in summary · in short · in brief · to be brief · on the whole · in other words
  • the conclusion can be drawn that…

On the whole, the advantages of studying abroad outweigh the costs.

Punctuation and common mistakes

  • However, therefore, moreover and similar adverbs can't join two sentences with a comma. Write "The test was hard; however, I passed." or "The test was hard. However, I passed." Not: "The test was hard, however I passed."
  • But, so, yet and or join two clauses with a comma: "The test was hard, but I passed."
  • On the other hand introduces a contrasting point, not an additional one. If you're adding a similar point, use in addition or moreover.
  • On the contrary rejects the previous statement ("It wasn't boring. On the contrary, it was fascinating."). To compare two different things, use in contrast.
  • Besides means "in addition"; beside means "next to."
  • Don't stack transitions. One per sentence is enough; "Moreover, in addition, also…" sounds unnatural.
  • Vary them. Starting every sentence with a transition makes writing sound mechanical. Use them where the connection between ideas isn't already obvious.

Transitions in a short TOEFL-style response

I agree that universities should offer more online courses. For one thing, students who work part-time could study at hours that suit them. In addition, recorded lectures let students review difficult material as often as they need. Admittedly, some students need the structure of a classroom to stay motivated. However, universities could offer both formats and let each student choose. In short, more online options would help many students without harming anyone.

For sentence patterns to combine with these transitions, see 79 useful TOEFL writing phrases and these reusable position-and-reason phrases. To practice with real prompts, try the 104 TOEFL writing topics.

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