The ACT English Test contains several questions that ask you to select the best word or phrase to connect two ideas. To answer these transition questions, focus on the relationship between the two ideas. Check out this list of common transition categories and a few examples of some of the words and phrases that provide that particular connection.
| Transition Category | Use | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Addition or Similarity | Use when the second idea is similar to the first or provides additional information about the first. | and, also, likewise, similarly, in addition, furthermore, correspondingly, as, moreover, coupled with, and so on |
| Opposition or Contradiction | Use when the second idea contradicts the first. | but, however, on the contrary, in contrast, on the other hand, yet, nevertheless, nonetheless, conversely, although, instead, rather, otherwise, and so on |
| Cause and Effect | Use when the first idea causes the second or the second is a result of the first. | due to, because of, because, in order to, since, while, so that, owing to, as a result, therefore, consequently, thus, accordingly, for this reason, in effect, and so on |
| Example or Support | Use when the second idea provides an example of or supporting evidence for the first idea. | for example, in other words, to illustrate, for instance, especially, namely, to clarify, and so on |
| Conclusion | Use when the idea provides a summary of the ideas that precede it. | in conclusion, to summarize, in short, in brief, all in all, in fact, and so on |
| Chronology | Use when the ideas are related by time. | after, last, first, second, third, to begin, now, next, during, eventually, prior to, as soon as, immediately, formerly, occasionally, and so on |