Quick Reference 9: Close Transitions With Different Jobs

Reference 9: Close Transitions With Different Jobs

Words in the same family are not automatically interchangeable. The relationship between the two ideas decides which word belongs, not which word a student has memorized as “the transition word.”

Relationship	Examples	Question to ask
Result	therefore, thus, consequently	Did the second idea actually follow as a result of the first?
Contrast	however, by contrast	Are the two ideas simply different, or opposed?
Concession	nevertheless, even so	Does the second idea remain true despite an obstacle the first raised?
Addition	moreover, furthermore	Is this another, separate point in the same direction?
Example, specification	for example, specifically	Is the second idea one instance of a broader claim, or a narrower detail within it?
Restatement, clarification	in other words	Is the second idea the same idea said more plainly?
Sequence, time	subsequently, meanwhile, eventually	Is the relationship only about when things happened?
Intensification, confirmation	indeed	Does the second statement reinforce or sharpen the first?

Chronology alone does not justify therefore. After X, Y happened is a statement about order. Therefore, Y happened is a statement about cause. The first never automatically licenses the second.

Same Topic With a Different Relationship

Time versus cause. The lab replaced its aging equipment in March. Subsequently, output quality improved. Subsequently only claims the improvement came later. Therefore, output quality improved would claim the new equipment produced the improvement, a stronger claim the sentence needs actual support to make.

Contrast versus concession. The bridge design was untested. However, it held through the storm. However marks a plain difference between two facts. Nevertheless, it held through the storm claims something more specific: the bridge survived despite the very doubt the first sentence raised about it.

Addition versus example. The committee cited cost overruns. Moreover, the timeline had slipped twice. Moreover adds a separate, second problem. For example, the timeline had slipped twice would only fit if the timeline slip were being offered as one instance of a broader claim already stated, such as “several problems emerged,” not as a new point standing on its own.

Result versus restatement. Attendance fell by half. Consequently, the theater struggled financially. Consequently treats the financial struggle as an outcome the falling attendance produced. In other words, the theater struggled financially would only fit if the financial struggle were the same fact restated, not a separate consequence following from it.

Sequence versus result. The drought lasted three years. Subsequently, farmers switched to drought-resistant crops. Subsequently reports only the order of events. As a result, farmers switched to drought-resistant crops claims the drought caused the switch, a claim the sentence has to actually earn.

When therefore is simply wrong. Sales figures were strong all year. However, the company posted a loss. However correctly marks the surprise between two facts sitting side by side. Therefore, the company posted a loss would claim strong sales caused the loss, a relationship that makes no sense and that no transition word can repair.

Say the relationship in plain words before scanning the choices for a transition. The word has to match a relationship that is already there, not create one that was never in the passage.