Transitions for SAT/ACT - Key Types and Matching Steps

Sep 14, 2026

Uploaded by Finn

Transitions connect ideas by explaining how sentences relate, which is essential for answering SAT/ACT transition questions accurately. The guide categorizes transitions into continuers, contradictors, cause/effect, and sequence, then supplies common word lists for each type (e.g., and/furthermore; but/however; therefore/so; previously/then). A step-by-step method instructs learners to summarize, visualize direction, determine the relationship, and match the best transition. Tips emphasize eliminating similar choices and memorizing tricky equivalences like “therefore/as a result.”

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Types of Transitions on the SAT/ACT

Continuers

Contradictors

Cause/Effect

Sequence

Examples and Transition Word Lists

Emphasis on the Preceding Sentence

Steps to Answer Transition Questions

Summarize the Text

Visualize Direction

Identify the Relationship

Match the Transition

Tips and Tricky Transition Glossary

Transitions connect ideas together; they express the “how” sentences are related. To answer transition questions, you must understand the text. Types of Transitions on the SAT/ACT ● Continuers: indicate that two sentences are expressing similar ideas ● Contradictors: indicate that two sentences are expressing different ideas ● Cause/Effect: words indicate that one action is a result of another ● Sequence: indicate organization by time or position. Examples: Continuers: and, also, furthermore, moreover, in addition, for instance, for example, that is, in fact, indeed, similarly, likewise, then, next, finally, subsequently, hence Contradictors: but, yet, however, although, while, whereas, despite/in spite of, still, even so, nevertheless, meanwhile, otherwise, instead, nonetheless, in contrast, on the contrary, on the other hand Cause/Effect: so, thus, therefore, consequently, as a result, because, since, accordingly, as such Sequence: Previously, lastly, again, and then, finally, furthermore, next, moreover, Emphasize preceding sentence = in fact, indeed STEPS: 1. Summarize the text in your own words 2. Visualize DIRECTION – continuing, reversing, enhancing, explaining… 3. Identify the relationship between the sentences 4. Match Tips: 1. Eliminate choices that express a similar relationship 2. Memorize the list below. When seeing a transition (not highlighted in the list below) in a question, replace this transition with the equivalent highlighted transition word. The highlighted transition expresses the relationship in a clearer fashion. Glossary of Tricky Transitions on the SAT/ACT Therefore, as a result = accordingly, consequently In addition = furthermore, moreover Despite this = Even so, still, nevertheless Although, but = while, whereas Similarly = likewise At the same time = meanwhile In other words = That is (writer is providing a definition or explanation/clarification. It is often after a dash. )

FAQs

What are the main types of transitions used on the SAT/ACT?

The guide groups transitions into continuers (similar ideas), contradictors (different ideas), cause/effect (one action results from another), and sequence (time or position organization).

How do you answer a SAT/ACT transition question using the recommended steps?

Summarize the text, visualize the direction of the idea, identify the relationship between the sentences, and then match the correct transition that expresses that relationship.

Which transition word equivalences are considered tricky on the SAT/ACT?

The glossary links several equivalences, such as “therefore, as a result” to “accordingly, consequently,” “in addition” to “furthermore, moreover,” “despite this” to “even so, still, nevertheless,” and “in other words” to “that is.”

Sep 14, 2026

Uploaded by Finn