Cues and Transitions for the Reader (of Your Correspondence)

Cues and Transitions for the Reader

Contributed by Deane Gradous, Twin Cities consultant


To show addition
· and
· in addition
· besides
· furthermore
· moreover
· what’s more
· too
· not only … but also
· both … and
· not so obvious
· as well as
· another

To show time
· now
· since
· after this
· at length
· thereafter
· already
· at length
· after a few hours
· in the end
· afterwards
· then
· later
· previously
· formerly
· at an earlier time
· at the same time
· simultaneously
· meanwhile
· in the meantime
· and then


To show sequence
· first, second, etc.
· next
· former
· latter
· final
· last

To emphasize
· obviously
· in fact
· as a matter of fact
· indeed
· what’s more
· even without this
· especially
· truly
· really
· certainly
· moreover
· in truth
· above all

To compare
· similarly
· likewise
· in like manner
· parallel with
· in the same category
· comparable to
· equally important


To contrast
· on the other hand
· on the contrary
· conversely
· by contrast
· from another point of view
· more important
· but
· yet
· and yet
· however
· still
· after all
· for all that
· although this is true
· while this is true
· in spite of
· though
· even though
· nonetheless
· nevertheless
· notwithstanding
· in spite of this

To include
· namely
· especially
· specifically
· in detail
· including
· in particular
· to list
· to enumerate

More on next page



To repeat
· to repeat
· in brief
· in short
· as I have said
· as I have noted
· in other words
· once more
· again
· yet again
· that is

To give examples
· for instance
· for example
· to demonstrate
· to illustrate
· as an illustration
· a case in point
· another case

To show purpose
· to
· in order to
· so that
· for the purpose of
· with this in mind
· with this in view

To conclude
· to conclude
· in conclusion
· thus
· finally
· last
· to end


To infer
· hence
· so
· therefore
· consequently
· as a result
· for this reason
· this being the case
· it follows that …

To summarize
· in brief
· in summary
· on the whole
· to sum up
· in other words
· briefly
· in short
· in conclusion

To exclude
· with this exception
· all except
· all but
· except for this
· not that
· but not
· neither … nor

To show condition
· if
· whether

To show alternatives
· or
· either … or
· whether …or not


To concede
· no doubt
· admitting
· to be sure
· certainly
· indeed
· granted
· true
· in any case
· in any event

To refute
· no
· hardly
· on the contrary
· never

To mark
· with respect to
· as for …
· concerning
· in point of reference

To link
· in general
· to resume
· in particular
· to continue
· to return
· along with

To paint a picture
· imagine this scene
· to illustrate my point
· let’s examine this idea closely

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