We use transition words and phrases to show the sequence and order of events or ideas. These linking words are especially useful at the beginning of paragraphs but can be just as important at the beginning of other sentences to show the relationship between ideas.
Beginning
- In the beginning
- First of all
- Once upon a time
- One day
- First
- Firstly
- To begin
- To start
- Once
Middle
- Soon
- Meanwhile
- Then
- After that
- Later
- After awhile
- Next
- Second
- Third
- Secondly
- Thirdly
- And
- Furthermore
- Further
- Moreover
- Another
- In addition
- Also
- Subsequently
- After
- Before
Interruption
(something unexpected)
- Suddenly
- All of a sudden
- But then
Ending
- Finally
- At last
- In conclusion
- To summarise
- At the end
- Afterward
- In the end
- Lastly
- After all
- By the end
- By this point
- Eventually
