Short and Easy Transitions Definition for Kids

Elementary School Transition Words and Phrases

Transition words for kids help sew their writing together with an easy flow. Teaching this tactic to young students sets them up for a lifetime of clear and cohesive writing. If you're looking for some practice with elementary school transition words and phrases, you're in the right place. Review what transition words are and how they're used, then explore several lists of transition words and phrases. Finally, download a printable practice worksheet.

students showing transition words and phrases

Transition Words and Phrases Defined

Transition words and phrases link sentences and paragraphs together smoothly and highlight how ideas relate to each other. When explaining transition words to elementary students, it's important to state that they help make writing more interesting and move it along.

Transition Words Example

Here's an example to highlight the difference between a sentence with no transition words and one with transition words.

I saw the dog. Then, I petted the dog. Then, he ran away. Then, I went home.

It would be much smoother to say:

I saw a dog and then began to pet him, but soon he ran away. So, then I went home.

This bit of text was improved by putting short sentences together and using transition words.

How Transition Words Are Used

Transition words are used in different situations to tell different things.

• They tell when, where, and how something occurred.
• They describe things.
• They compare things.

Transition Word Lists for Elementary Students

For a quick list of transition words, download and save or print the list below. Just click the image and it will open as a PDF. You can also explore several other lists of elementary school transition words and phrases grouped by function.

View & Download PDF

List of Cause/Effect Transition Words and Phrases

Use the words and phrases below to transition between a cause and its effect.

Words	Phrases
because	as a result
consequently	in the event that
if	for this purpose
of	for this reason
since	that being the case
so	to that end
then	to this end
therefore	with this in mind

List of Compare and Contrast Transitions

Use these transition words and phrases when you're comparing or contrasting information.

Words	Phrases
again	as a matter of fact
also	coupled with
although	equally important
but	even though
despite	in addition
however	in the same way
instead	on the contrary
like	on the other hand
otherwise	once more
unlike	to say nothing of

Location Transitions List

Use the words or phrases below when you need a transition that indicates where something is located.

Words	Phrases
above	adjacent to
among	closer to
below	further on
beneath	here and there
beside	in front of
beyond	in the background
elsewhere	in the center of
far	in the distance
further	in the middle of
here	next to
near	on this side
nearby	opposite to
opposite	to the left
there	to the right

List of Examples Transitions

When highlighting examples in your writing, use these transition words or phrases.

Words	Phrases
chiefly	after all
even	for example
including	for instance
markedly	in fact
notably	such as
truly	to illustrate

Time and Sequence Transitions List

When a transition needs to indicate time or sequence, use one of the following transitional terms or phrases.

Words	Phrases
afterward	after awhile
again	after this
before	and then
earlier	as a final point
finally	as long as
first	as previously stated
immediately	as soon as
last	at last
later	at that time
meanwhile	first of all
next	getting to the point
now	in short
once	in summary
second	in the first place
soon	in the last place
still	in the meantime
suddenly	in the past
then	last but not least
tomorrow	to begin
yesterday	to conclude

List of Conclusion Transitions

When you need to use a transition word to conclude an idea or essay, use these terms or phrases.

Words	Phrases
definitely	as a result
eventually	as I have said
evidently	as mentioned earlier
finally	as we have seen
hence	in any event
lastly	in conclusion
obviously	in other words
therefore	in summary
ultimately	on the whole

Printable Transition Words and Phrases Worksheet

Ready to practice using transition words and phrases? Try out a few practice questions or an entire worksheet full of them.

Practice Questions From the Worksheet

A selection of practice questions from the worksheet is included below. The answers are provided after the worksheet.

Section 1: Word Choice

Remember that transition words and phrases link sentences together smoothly. Choose the correct word for each item.

1. (Because, Before) it was raining, I didn't walk my dog this evening.
2. I love chocolate, (although, so) I eat chocolate candy whenever I can.
3. The test was really hard. (Therefore, Then), only five students passed it.
4. First, you have to answer the questions. (Next, So), you hand in your paper.
5. Ben needs to go to bed early. (Although, Otherwise), he will be late for school.

Section 2: Fill-in-The-Blank

Complete each item with the transitional word or phrase from the following list that fits best: after all, finally, despite, in front of, in any event.

1. We need a meeting place. __________ the fountain is a good spot.
2. We have been waiting in line for 45 minutes. __________, we can buy our tickets.
3. __________ the high cost of the ticket, I am going to the concert.

Transition Words Worksheet

This worksheet includes word choice and fill-in-the-blank sections along with an answer key.

View & Download PDF

Answers to Practice Questions

Check your work against the answers below.

Section 1 Answers

1. Because it was raining, I didn't walk my dog this evening.
2. I love chocolate, so I eat chocolate candy whenever I can.
3. The test was really hard. Therefore, only five students passed it.
4. First, you have to answer the questions. Next, you hand in your paper.
5. Ben needs to go to bed early. Otherwise, he will be late for school

Section 2 Answers

Verify that you chose appropriate words for each item.

1. We need a meeting place. In front of the fountain is a good spot.
   
2. We have been waiting in line for 45 minutes. Finally, we can buy our tickets.
3. Despite the high cost of the ticket, I am going to the concert.

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Source: https://education.yourdictionary.com/for-teachers/elementary-school-transition-words-and-phrases.html