Transitions — Core Skills

Transitions: The Basics

Part 1 of 2 — Name the Relationship

A transition is a word or short phrase that connects two sentences. Words like however, therefore, and for example are transitions.

On the SAT, a transition question gives you two sentences with a blank between them. Your job is to figure out how the two sentences are related, then pick the word that names that relationship.

The four relationships you need

1. Adding — the second sentence gives more of the same kind of information. also, in addition, additionally, furthermore, moreover

The museum is free on Sundays. In addition, it stays open late that day.

2. Contrast — the second sentence goes the opposite direction from the first. however, but, on the other hand, nevertheless, in contrast

Maya practiced every day. However, she did not make the team.

3. Cause and effect — the first sentence causes the second. therefore, so, as a result, consequently, thus

The road was covered in ice. As a result, the school canceled the bus route.

4. Example — the second sentence gives a specific case of the first. for example, for instance, specifically

Many birds migrate long distances. For example, arctic terns fly from pole to pole.

The trick that works every time

Cover the blank with your finger. Do not look at the answer choices yet.

1. Read the sentence before the blank. Say what it means in your own words.
2. Read the sentence after the blank. Say what it means in your own words.
3. Ask one question: same direction, or opposite direction?

If the second sentence keeps going the same way, you need adding, cause/effect, or example. If it turns and goes the other way, you need contrast.

Only then look at the choices, and pick the one that matches the relationship you already named. The transition never changes what the sentences mean — it just labels how they connect.

Transitions: Practice

Part 2 of 2 — Two More Families, Plus Look-Alikes

Part 1 covered adding, contrast, cause/effect, and example. Two more groups show up often.

5. Sequence — puts steps in order. first, next, then, later, finally, subsequently

6. Summing up — wraps up several points that came before. in short, in sum, ultimately, all things considered

Look-alike families

Many wrong choices are close relatives of the right one. Two pairs cause most mistakes.

Example or adding? Ask: is the second sentence one case of what the first sentence said?

Many everyday products were invented by accident. For example, the microwave oven was developed after a radar machine melted a candy bar in an engineer's pocket.

The microwave is one case of "invented by accident," so this is an example.

The town library lends books. In addition, it lends laptops and tablets.

Laptops are not a case of "lends books." They are a new, separate point of the same kind, so this is adding.

Result or summing up? A cause/effect word (therefore, as a result) says the first sentence made the second one happen. A summing-up word (in short, ultimately) pulls together several points that came before into one final statement.

Your checklist for transitions

1. Cover the blank and the answer choices.
2. Say the sentence before the blank in your own words.
3. Say the sentence after the blank in your own words.
4. Same direction, or opposite?
5. Same direction → adding, cause/effect, example, sequence, or summing up. Opposite → contrast.
6. Now look at the choices and pick the one that matches.

Your checklist for look-alikes

1. Example or adding? → Is the second sentence one case of the first? If yes, example.
2. Result or summing up? → Did the first sentence cause the second, or does the second pull several points together?