Useful transition words for IELTS Speaking & Writing Task 2 – Adversative Transitions
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What are transitions and how are they used?
- Transitions can be either phrases or words to help show relationships between ideas in sentences and paragraphs; therefore, they play an important role in IELTS writing. The best part about transition words is that they can be easily inserted in many different places throughout an essay.
- There are 4 types of transitions: Additive transitions, Adversative transitions, Causal transitions, and Sequential transitions.
This article will provide you with a rich variety of useful adversative transitions which show signal conflict, contradiction concession, dismissal, etc.
Conflict :
but, | by way of contrast, | while, | on the other hand, |
however, | (and) yet, | whereas, | though (final position). |
in contrast, | when in fact, | conversely, | still |
Eg: Women suffering from anorexia are still convinced that their thin, frail bodies are fat and unsightly. Conversely, some people who are a great deal heavier than they should be can persuade themselves that they are ‘just right’.
We thought she was arrogant, whereas, in fact, she was just very shy.
Emphasis :
even more, | above all, | indeed, | more importantly, | besides |
Eg: I don’t mind at all. Indeed, I would be delighted to help.
Concession :
but even so, | nevertheless, | even though, | on the other hand, | admittedly, |
however, | nonetheless, | despite (this), | notwithstanding (this), | albeit |
(and) still, | although, | in spite of (this), | regardless (of this), | |
(and) yet, | though, | granted (this), | be that as it may, |
Eg: He finally agreed, albeit reluctantly, to help us.
Notwithstanding some major financial problems, the school has had a successful year.
Dismissal :
either way, | whichever happens, | in either event, | in any case, | at any rate, |
in either case, | whatever happens, | all the same, | in any event, |
Eg: Whatever happens, don’t let go of my hand
At any rate, I will work my butt off to achieve it!
Replacement :
(or) at least, | (or) rather, | instead |
Eg: He didn’t reply. Rather, he turned on his heel and left the room.
She said nothing, preferring instead to save her comments till later.
See also:
- IELTS Speaking preparation tips
- IELTS Speaking
- IELTS Writing
- IELTS Writing tips
- Linking words for IELTS Speaking
- IELTS Speaking recent actual test
- IELTS Writing recent actual test
- Sports Vocabulary IELTS
- Work Vocabulary IELTS
- Idioms for IELTS Speaking
- IELTS Pronunciation Guide
- Common English words in IELTS Speaking
- Ough words
- IELTS Writing Task 1 Connectors
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