Transitional devices

There are two basic types of transitions, conjunctive adverbs and conjunctions. Another type of transition is called a referent. Transition words and phrases are used to clarify the relationships between sentences. Transitions can be divided into groups according to their functions.

Types of conjunctive adverbs

A conjunctive adverb modifies the action by creating logical connections in meaning between independent clauses. Unlike conjunctions, conjunctive adverbs are not always at the beginning of the clause.

1. Of addition
   Examples:
   • also, besides, furthermore, moreover, etc.
   • The condo complex has tennis courts; besides this, it has an indoor pool.
   • He must have got stopped at the border crossing; otherwise, he would have arrived by now.
   • The lecturer had a monotonous voice; furthermore, he jumped from one idea to another so that the lecture was very difficult to follow.
2. Of contrast
   Examples:
   • however, still, nevertheless, conversely, nonetheless, instead, etc.
   • The printers are on strike; nevertheless, students will receive course packages on time.
   • We were able to run only four courses; still, this compares favourably with other summer programs.
   • It's really cold today; we can't complain, however, we can't complain as it's been mild overall.
3. Of comparison
   Examples:
   • similarly, likewise
   • Paul went to Lakeland college; his daughter, likewise, did her studies there.
   • Kate is in love with her dogs; Martha is similarly obsessed with her horses.
4. Of result
   Examples:
   • therefore, hence, thus, consequently, etc.
   • He rarely produced a day's work; he consequently lost his job.
   • Caffeine is a stimulant; thus, it can keep a person awake at night.
   • We discovered Marla's activities were duplicating those of Zoe; we, therefore, assigned Marla other tasks.
5. Of time
   Examples:
   • next, then, meanwhile, finally, subsequently, etc.
   • The chairperson will be late for the meeting; meanwhile, we're to hand out minutes of the last meeting to the board members.
   • The network has crashed; next, the power will go off.
   • First boil the water; then, pour it over the tea bag.

Types of conjunctions

A conjunction is used to join words or groups of words.

1. Coordinating conjunctions
   • join grammatically equivalent sentence elements
   Examples:
   • and, for, or, yet, but, nor, so
   • Edmonton and Calgary are the two largest cities in Alberta. (And joins two nouns.)
   • Look in the cupboard or in the drawer. (Or joins two phrases.)
   • You can't do that kind of heavy work, nor should you be expected to. (Nor joins two clauses.)
2. Correlative conjunctions
   • pairs of words that join words, phrases, and clauses of equivalent grammatical structure
   Examples:
   • both . . . and
     either . . . or
     neither . . . nor
     not . . . but
     not only . . . but (also)
     whether . . . or
   • Both Eric and Carlo received their ten-year pin this year.
   • Either you get a job or you go back to school.
   • Whether you stay or leave is entirely your decision.
3. Subordinating conjunctions
   These join clauses that are not equivalent grammatical structures. Subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses. These clauses cannot stand by themselves but must be joined to a main or independent clause.
   The following is a list of words most often used as subordinating conjunctions:

   Examples of subordinating conjunctions

   after	even though	than	wherever
   although	if	that	whether
   as	in order that	though	which
   as if	in order to	unless	while
   as though	rather than	until	who
   because	since	when
   before	so as to	whenever
   even if	so that	where

   Examples:
   • In order to make feasible projections, we need to have reliable data.
   • He's taller than you are.
   • He looks as if he were about to cry.

Referents*

A referent is a noun or noun phrase that occurred earlier in the text and is subsequently referred to using words such as it or this.

Example: Traditionally, business simply meant exchange or trade for things people wanted or needed. Today, it has a more technical definition. (it refers to business.)

Example: However, there is one other important factor. This factor is the creation of profit or economic surplus. (this factor refers to the same concept — one other important concept — in the previous sentence.)

* This information on referents is adapted from Business Concepts for English Practice by Marianne McDougal Arden and Barbara Tolley Dowling.

Note: there are other words and phrases that can also be used as referents.