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Transitions
Choosing the logical connector that links ideas between sentences.
Seven concepts. Digital SAT transition items reward naming the logical link between sentences before you open the choices — contrast, result, addition, example or sequence — not picking the most familiar connector.
- Digital SAT Prep
- Easy level
- 7 concepts
- 5 practice questions
1Name the logical link before you open the choices
Cover the four options. Read the sentence before the blank and the sentence after it, then say in plain words how they relate: oppose, result, add support, give an example, or move in time. Only after that name do you uncover the connectors and hunt for a match.
Opening the choices first lets a familiar word like however steer you when the link is actually result. The blank answers the relationship, not your favourite transition.
Figure. Name the logical link from the two sentences before any familiar transition word can steer you.
Link then match
- Cover choicesHide A–D so familiar spellings cannot pick the relationship for you.
- Name the linkIn your own words: contrast, cause→result, addition, example, or sequence.
- Match the classUncover options; keep only connectors in that class; drop every other job.
Heavy rains flooded the fields. ______, the harvest was delayed by three weeks. Before looking at choices, which link should you name?
- contrast — second idea fights the first
- cause → result — delay follows from the flooding
- example — second sentence is a specific case of the first
- addition — second sentence piles on a similar claim
Flooding is a cause; delayed harvest is an outcome of that cause. Contrast would need an unexpected opposite. Example needs a general claim then a case. Addition piles same-direction claims without outcome language.
2Contrast connectors mark opposition between ideas
However, nevertheless, on the other hand, by contrast and on the contrary signal that the second idea fights, limits or surprises relative to the first. If sentence one sets an expectation and sentence two delivers the opposite, the blank wants a contrast word — not therefore or moreover.
A result word forced into a contrast frame invents a cause the author never claimed. Name the flip first; then pick the contrast marker.
Figure. Contrast markers fit when B fights or limits A; a result word invents a cause that is not there.
| Connector | Job | Wrong when |
|---|---|---|
| however / nevertheless | oppose or limit the prior claim | the second sentence is clearly an outcome |
| on the other hand / by contrast | set two sides against each other | both sides support the same point |
| on the contrary | deny or reverse the prior claim | you only need mild addition |
The city invested heavily in public transit. ______, car ownership continued to rise.
- Therefore
- For instance
- However
- Moreover
Heavy transit investment sets an expectation of fewer cars; rising ownership is the opposite → However. Therefore forces a false result. For instance needs an example of the investment. Moreover adds same-direction support the second sentence does not give.
3Result connectors show the second idea follows from the first
Therefore, thus, consequently and as a result mark that sentence two is an outcome of sentence one. The first idea supplies a cause, reason or condition; the second reports what followed.
If the second sentence fights the first instead of flowing from it, a result word is wrong even when it sounds formal. Ask whether two could honestly be rewritten as because…, … before you keep therefore.
Figure. Result connectors fit only when sentence two is what follows from sentence one.
Test for outcome
- State causeParaphrase sentence one as a reason or condition.
- State outcomeCheck that sentence two is what follows from that reason, not an opposite or a mere add-on.
- Pick result wordChoose therefore / thus / consequently / as a result; drop contrast and example fillers.
The lab lost power overnight. ______, every refrigerated sample had to be discarded.
- Nevertheless
- As a result
- For example
- Similarly
Lost power is the cause; discarded samples are the outcome → As a result. Nevertheless needs opposition. For example needs a general claim illustrated by a case. Similarly needs a parallel case, not an effect.
4Addition connectors pile on same-direction support
Moreover, furthermore, in addition and also introduce another point that backs or extends the prior claim. Both sides face the same way: more evidence, another reason, a further detail — not a flip and not an outcome.
Using moreover where the second sentence reverses the first hides a contrast the author wrote. Using it where the second sentence is clearly caused by the first hides a result. Same direction first; then the additive marker.
Figure. Moreover / furthermore pile on same-direction support; they hide a contrast or a true result.
| If the second sentence… | Prefer | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| adds another reason or detail in the same direction | moreover / furthermore / in addition | however (fake flip) |
| states what followed from the first | therefore / as a result | moreover (not an add-on) |
| opposes or limits the first | however / by contrast | furthermore (same-direction) |
The proposal cuts waiting times. ______, it reduces paperwork for clinic staff.
- However
- Moreover
- Therefore
- For instance
Cuts waiting times and reduces paperwork are two same-direction benefits → Moreover. However invents opposition. Therefore forces an outcome link the second claim does not need. For instance would cast paperwork reduction as an example of waiting-time cuts, which it is not.
5Example and sequence markers introduce a case or an order
For example and for instance introduce a specific case of a general claim just made. First, then, next and finally march through ordered steps or stages. Neither class opposes, results from, or merely piles abstract support — they particularise or sequence.
A contrast word before a clear illustration is a planted distractor: the author is showing a case, not fighting the prior sentence. Match the job — case versus timeline — before you browse synonyms.
Figure. For example introduces a case; first/then/finally march a timeline — neither class is contrast or result.
| Class | Markers | Second sentence should |
|---|---|---|
| Example | for example / for instance | Name a concrete case of the prior general claim |
| Sequence | first / then / next / finally | Advance a step in an ordered process |
Several coastal towns have cut flood damage with simple barriers. ______, one harbour built a low seawall and saw insurance claims drop by half.
- However
- For instance
- Therefore
- Nevertheless
The second sentence is a concrete case of the general coastal-town claim → For instance. However and Nevertheless invent opposition. Therefore forces a result reading; the seawall story illustrates, it does not follow as an effect of the general claim alone.
6Same-class options cancel; keep the odd-class fit
When two or three choices all mean contrast — or all mean result — they usually cancel each other. The keyed answer is often the connector that expresses a different relationship, the one that alone matches the link you named before peeking.
Do not break a tie by picking the contrast word you see most often in essays. If the class is shared, the class is wrong for this blank — restart from the relationship, not from familiarity.
Figure. When two choices share a job, the whole cluster usually loses; keep the odd-class connector that fits the link.
Cancel then choose
- Cluster by jobGroup options into contrast / result / addition / example without ranking favourites.
- Cancel twinsIf two or more share a job, strike the whole cluster unless that job is the only fit.
- Keep the odd fitRetain the connector whose class alone matches the link you named from the sentences.
Staff trained for weeks on the new software. ______, error rates fell in the first month. Options: (A) However (B) Nevertheless (C) As a result (D) On the other hand. Which survival logic is right?
- Keep However — it is the most common contrast word
- Cancel A, B and D as shared contrast; keep As a result as the lone result fit
- Keep Nevertheless because it sounds more formal than However
- Keep On the other hand because training and errors feel opposite
Training leading to fewer errors is cause→result. A, B and D are all contrast markers and cancel. Familiarity or formality inside the contrast cluster does not beat the relationship. On the other hand misreads falling errors as opposition rather than outcome.
7Transitions depend on the sentence before and after the blank
A transition sits between two ideas. Judging it from the preceding sentence alone — or from the following sentence alone — invents a link the pair does not support. Read both sides, then name the relationship across the blank.
Local polish after the blank can make moreover feel smooth while the prior sentence actually set up a contrast. Both sides or you are guessing.
Figure. A transition is the hinge between A and B — judging from one side alone invents a link.
Both sides
- Read beforeParaphrase the claim that ends just before the blank.
- Read afterParaphrase the claim that starts just after the blank.
- Link acrossName how after relates to before; only then match a connector class.
You only read the words after the blank: ______, the committee delayed the vote. What is still missing before you can choose a transition?
- Nothing — delayed the vote always needs However
- The sentence before the blank, so you can name the link across both sides
- A longer list of synonyms for delayed
- Whether the blank is at the start of a paragraph
Delayed the vote could be a result, a contrast or an add-on depending on what came before. Reading only after the blank cannot fix the relationship. Synonym lists and paragraph position do not replace the missing prior claim.
Notes
- Relationship First: Determine how the two sentences relate—contrast, cause, addition, sequence, or example—before reading any transition choice.
- Contrast Signals: However, nevertheless, on the other hand, and by contrast show opposition between ideas.
- Cause and Effect: Therefore, thus, consequently, and as a result show that the second idea follows from the first.
- Addition and Illustration: Moreover and furthermore add support; for example and for instance introduce a specific case.
Formulas
- Contrast: however / nevertheless / on the contrary / by contrast.
- Cause-effect: therefore / consequently / as a result / thus.
- Addition: moreover / in addition / furthermore / also.
- Example/sequence: for example / for instance / first, then, finally.
Exam traps & shortcuts
- Cover the four choices, describe the logical link in your own words, then match to the connector—prevents being swayed by familiar words.
- If several options mean 'contrast', they cancel out; the correct answer is usually the one expressing a different relationship.
- Read the sentence before AND after the blank; transitions depend on both, not just the preceding sentence.
Reference tables
Name the link first; then match a marker from the matching row.
| Relationship | Markers | Second sentence does |
|---|---|---|
| Contrast | however / nevertheless / on the other hand / by contrast / on the contrary | Opposes, limits or surprises relative to the first |
| Cause → result | therefore / thus / consequently / as a result | States an outcome of the first |
| Addition | moreover / furthermore / in addition / also | Adds same-direction support or detail |
| Example | for example / for instance | Gives a concrete case of the prior claim |
| Sequence | first / then / next / finally | Advances an ordered step |
Recap
Keep these on exam day; each one kills a planted distractor.
- Link first
- Cover choices; name contrast / result / addition / example / sequence in your own words.
- Contrast
- However / nevertheless / by contrast — second idea fights or limits the first.
- Result
- Therefore / as a result — second idea is an outcome; test with because…, …
- Addition
- Moreover / furthermore — same direction, not a flip and not an effect.
- Cancel twins
- Two contrast options cancel; keep the connector whose class alone fits.
- Both sides
- Read the sentence before and after the blank before you match.
Practise Transitions
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