1.5: Working with Language- Using Transitions
- Page ID
- 106689
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Now, we turn our attention to transitions. Using transitions is another way to make your writing flow nicely. A piece of writing with well-chosen transitions is more fluent than one with no transitions.
What Is a Transition?
Look at the following pairs of sentences. In each case, the second sentence is connected to the first.
- Pet owners spend a lot of money on their furry friends. They buy clothes, toys, and treats.
- Here, the second sentence provides examples of the things that pet owners spend money on.
- Pets can be expensive. They bring a lot of health benefits to their owners.
- Here, the second sentence provides a contrasting idea to the first sentence: the first part is negative, and the second part is positive.
- People don’t think carefully before buying a puppy as a present. Many unwanted dogs end up in animal shelters.
- Here, the second sentence shows a result of the first sentence.
Transitions make these connections clear. The examples above can be rewritten by using a transition at the beginning of the second sentence. Look at these possibilities.
1. Pet owners spend a lot of money on their furry friends. For example, they buy clothes, toys, and treats.
2. Pets can be expensive. However, they bring a lot of health benefits to their owners.
3. People don’t think carefully before buying a puppy as a present. As a result, many unwanted dogs end up in animal shelters.
Notice that you need to add a comma (,) after the transition.
Common Transitions
Here are some commonly used transitions.
|
Your goal |
Transitions you can use
|
|
To show a series of points |
Firstly | Secondly | Thirdly | Finally |
|
To give an example |
For example | For instance |
|
To give more information or another piece of evidence to support your point |
In addition | Moreover | Also |
|
To show a result |
As a result | Therefore |
|
To show an unexpected result |
However |
|
To show a similarity between two things, events, or opinions |
Similarly | In the same way |
|
To show a difference between two things, events, or opinions |
However | On the other hand | In contrast |
|
To show the importance of a point |
In particular |
|
To say something in another way |
In other words |
|
To correct incorrect assumptions |
In fact | In reality |
|
To express your opinion about a fact |
Sadly | Fortunately | Surprisingly | Happily | and many others |
|
To signal the end of your writing |
In conclusion | To conclude |
A note of caution
Transitions make your writing more fluent, and they make clear the connections between your sentences. However, you should be careful not to overuse them. Don’t try to begin every sentence with a transition—a little goes a long way!
You Try It!
Rewrite the sentences below using transitions where appropriate. There may be more than one correct answer.
1. Stanley got a dog after his wife died. He met people in his neighbourhood, and he felt less lonely.
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2. The writer didn’t want a small dog. He ended up with a Schnoodle.
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3. Playing with animals can help people to reduce their blood pressure. It can help to reduce stress hormones.
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4. Small dogs are better than large dogs for several reasons. They are easy to take care of. They are cheaper to feed. They are happier in small apartments.
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5. Pet therapy is useful for prisoners. It is beneficial for those in addiction treatment centres.
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6. Animal shelters need help from the public. They are always grateful for donations of money.
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7. Some people with emotional problems are helped by having a pet. Veterans who are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) find it useful to take care of a pet.
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8. People often think dogs in shelters have behavioural problems. They are really just lonely and in need of a home.
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9. Timmy ended up in an animal shelter because his owner was too old to care for him. He found a new home with a loving family.
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10. Children who grow up with pets develop resistance to allergens. They don’t get sick from animals later in life.
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