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Additive transition words are words and phrases used to express addition, continuation, or similarity between ideas in a written text, such as an essay.
Like sequential and causal transitions, additives help connect ideas and provide a smooth flow between sentences and paragraphs.
The use of additive transition words is important in writing essays because they serve several key functions:
- Clarify Relationships: Additive transition words help to clarify the relationships between ideas and to show how one idea builds upon or is related to another.
- Improve Coherence: By connecting ideas and linking sentences and paragraphs, additive transition words can improve the overall coherence of an essay and make it easier for the reader to understand the writer’s argument.
- Emphasize Points: By using additive transition words, the writer can emphasize certain points and give them additional weight and importance.
- Enhance Organization: Additive transition words can help to organize an essay and to make the structure clear and easy to follow.
Additive transition words to use in your essays
Here is a list of 50 additive transition words and phrases:
- Additionally
- Also
- Furthermore
- Moreover
- Besides
- In addition
- Likewise
- Furthermore
- As well
- And
- Not only … but also
- Besides
- Additionally
- Furthermore
- Furthermore
- Similarly
- Likewise
- In the same way
- As a result
- As a consequence
- Consequently
- Hence
- Thus
- Therefore
- So
- In conclusion
- In summary
- To summarize
- To put it another way
- In other words
- To repeat
- To reiterate
- To restate
- In brief
- In essence
- In short
- All in all
- To sum up
- Altogether
- On the whole
- On balance
- To be sure
- To be certain
- Indeed
- Definitely
- Clearly
- Obviously
- In fact
- Unquestionably
- Without a doubt.
How to use additive transition words in essays
Using additive transition words in essays involves the following steps:
- Identify relationships between ideas: Before using additive transition words, you must identify the relationships between the ideas in your essay. This will help you to choose the most appropriate transition words to connect your ideas.
- Choose appropriate transition words: Select transition words appropriate for the relationship between the ideas. For example, if you are showing a similarity between two ideas, use words like “similarly” or “in the same way.”
- Place transition words correctly: Transition words should be placed at the beginning of a sentence or between two sentences. They should not be placed at the end of a sentence.
- Use transition words consistently: Using them throughout your essay is important. This will help to maintain a clear and smooth flow of ideas.
- Vary your transition words: While using them consistently, it is also important to vary your transition words so that your essay does not become repetitive.
- Avoid overusing transition words: It is important to use them to connect your ideas and improve coherence but overusing them can make your writing sound repetitive and mechanical. Use them sparingly and only when they add value to your argument.
- Practice: The best way to improve your use of additive transition words is to practice writing essays and pay attention to how you use them. Read your writing out loud and ask yourself if the transition words sound natural and if they help to improve the flow of your ideas.
Example of additive transition words in essays
Suppose you want to write an essay about the benefits of exercise. You could use the following transition words to connect your ideas:
First, exercise improves physical health. Moreover, regular physical activity can lower the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and stroke. Additionally, exercise can help control weight and improve mental health by reducing stress and anxiety. Furthermore, exercise can also boost self-esteem and increase energy levels.
In this example, the transition words “first,” “moreover,” “additionally,” and “furthermore” are used to connect ideas and to show the relationships between them.