ESL Writing: Transitions and Connectors (In addition/Additionally/Furthermore/Moreover/Plus/as well

This ESL writing lesson introduces students to the correct usage of several transitions meaning “Also”, providing several sample sentences so students can familiarize themselves with these words.

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Transitions for giving more examples/information

“Transitions” are word that help connect ideas in a paragraph.

When you are giving many examples or ideas in the body of a paragraph, you should try to introduce each idea with a transition word. (You should not start a sentence with “And”.) There are many transitions that mean “Also” or “And”:

In addition / Additionally / Furthermore / Moreover / Plus / …as well

These transitions are similar to “Also”. They are explained in detail below.

1. In addition / Additionally

In addition and Additionally are used to give more information about something. When you write a formal essay, you should not start a sentence with the word “And”. You can often use “In addition” or “Additionally” instead of “And”.

• • I studied journalism in college. In addition, I had a part-time job at a newspaper.
  • I joined the guitar club and the math club in school. Additionally, I went on a camping trip with the debate team.

2. Furthermore / Moreover

Furthermore and Moreover are also very formal, and they are basically the same as “in addition” and “additionally”. We often use “moreover” and “furthermore” when we talk about our opinions.

• • · Smoking is a bad habit because it smells bad and it can damage your health. Furthermore, it is a very expensive habit.
  • · The politician is too old to be our president. Moreover, he is not trustworthy.
  • · Students are given too many tests these days. Moreover, they don’t have enough free time.
  • · Human beings must take care of their environment. We should drive more fuel-efficient cars, and we should recycle. Furthermore, we should stop businesses from polluting the environment.

3. Plus / …as well

Plus and …as well can be formal or informal. (“…as well” is used at the end of a sentence”)

• • · That car has new brakes, an air-conditioner, and a new CD player. Plus, it has an alarm.
  • · The typhoon destroyed my cousin’s home, and it destroyed his car as well.
  • · My grandfather fought in two wars, and he traveled around the world. He ran his own business as well.
  • · That computer is way too expensive. Plus, it’s not even that good.

*Note: if the sentence is negative, use either instead of as well.

• • I like math, and I like science as well.
  • I don’t like math, and I don’t like science either.