Transition Words Worksheets

Print worksheet gives 6 short items: circle the transition word that links the ideas, such as next, however or therefore.

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Made at homeroomtools.comRead each sentence. Circle the word that fits.1.2.3.4.5.6.Transition wordsThe movie was sold out,we went bowling.for examplesobecauseI have two chores after school. One is to feed the dog.Theis to water the plants.othersamefirstThe author loves winter., she writes thatsnow is the best part of the year.HoweverIn contrastSpecificallyMaple leaves change color in fall. Pine needles,, stay green all year.for examplehoweverthereforeA spider walks on eight legs. An insect,,walks on six.in contrastfor exampleas a resultPlants need light., a plant in a dark closetwill not grow well.SimilarlyHoweverTherefore
Made at homeroomtools.comRead each sentence. Circle the word that fits.1.2.3.4.5.6.Transition wordsAnswer keyThe movie was sold out,we went bowling.for examplesobecauseI have two chores after school. One is to feed the dog.Theis to water the plants.othersamefirstThe author loves winter., she writes thatsnow is the best part of the year.HoweverIn contrastSpecificallyMaple leaves change color in fall. Pine needles,, stay green all year.for examplehoweverthereforeA spider walks on eight legs. An insect,,walks on six.in contrastfor exampleas a resultPlants need light., a plant in a dark closetwill not grow well.SimilarlyHoweverThereforesootherSpecificallyhoweverin contrastTherefore
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All 146 sentences

Time order: first, next, last 67

  • At ___, the kitten hid under the bed. After a few days, she slept on my pillow. first, last, most
  • The bread must rise for an hour. ___, heat the oven. For example / Meanwhile / Yesterday
  • Brush your teeth ___ you go to bed. after, before, while
  • The bus was late again today. It was late ___, too. soon, tomorrow, yesterday
  • The cake has to cool. ___, you can spread the frosting. After that / Before that / For example
  • ___, crack three eggs on the rim of a mixing bowl. Next, beat them with a fork. First, However, Last
  • Dad cooked the pasta. ___, in the next room, I set the table. For example / Meanwhile / Yesterday
  • Dig a small hole. ___, drop in the seed and cover it with soil. Earlier / In contrast / Next
  • Fill the kettle to the line. ___, set it on the stove. For example / However / Then
  • Finish your homework ___. Then you can play outside. first, last, later
  • The first runner crossed the line. A few seconds ___, the second runner did too. ago, before, later
  • First we heard thunder. ___ came the rain. Before, Then, Until
  • First we will visit the zoo. ___ we will have a picnic. Afterward, Already, Yesterday
Show all 146 sentences (133 more)

Time order: first, next, last, continued

  • First, I fed the cat. Next, I made my bed. ___, I took out the trash. Finally / First / For example
  • First, pick a card. Second, look at it. ___, put it back in the deck. First, However, Third
  • First, roll a big snowball. Next, stack a smaller one on top. ___, add a carrot nose. First, However, Last
  • First, spread glue on the paper. ___, sprinkle glitter on the glue. Earlier, However, Next
  • First, the bell rang. ___, everyone lined up at the door. For example / However / Then
  • First, we mixed the batter. ___, we poured it into the pan. For example / However / Next
  • First, write your name. ___, read the directions. Third, answer the questions. However, Last, Second
  • The fox ran and ran. In the ___, he was too tired to go on. end, first, next
  • Grandpa told us a story. ___ he finished, we begged for another. Unless, Until, When
  • I did not like peas when I was little. ___ I eat them all the time. Before, Now, Then
  • I poured the cereal. ___, I added the milk. For example / However / Next
  • I put on my helmet. ___, I climbed onto my bike. For example / However / Then
  • I read page one of the comic. ___ I turned to page two. Although, Then, Until
  • I sharpened two pencils. ___ I began to write. Because, Then, Until
  • ___ I was packing my bag, the phone rang. Unless, Until, While
  • I will call you ___ I get home. although / as soon as / until
  • ___ the ice melted, the pond was water again. After, Before, Until
  • Keep stirring ___ the sugar is gone. after, before, until
  • The last bell rang at three. ___ then, the halls have been empty. Before, Since, Until
  • Making toast is easy. ___, put bread in the toaster. Then push the lever down. Finally, First, However
  • Mix the paint. ___ it is smooth, dip in your brush. Before, Once, Until
  • Mom read one more chapter. ___, she turned off the light. First / For example / Then
  • My sister learned to crawl. ___ long, she was walking. Before, Since, Until
  • Only one inning is left. ___ we will know who won. Earlier, Soon, Yesterday
  • Our class read a fable. ___ that, we drew our favorite part. After, Before, Until
  • The parade ended at noon. ___, the street sweepers cleaned up the confetti. Afterward / Beforehand / For instance
  • The puppet show begins at seven. ___ that, we will eat. Before, Since, Until
  • The puppy sniffed the ball. A moment ___, he grabbed it and ran. ago, earlier, later
  • Put on your socks ___ you put on your shoes. after, before, until
  • Rain drummed on the roof all morning. ___ lunch, the sun came out. After, Since, Until
  • The seed sprouted. ___, the plant grew a stem and leaves. Finally, it bloomed. Finally, First, Next
  • She tied one shoe. ___ she tied the other. Before, Then, Until
  • The sky turned gray. ___, the first drops of rain fell. Earlier / For example / Soon
  • Step one is to wet your hands. The ___ step is to add soap. The last step is to rinse. final, first, next
  • The story starts on a farm. ___ on, the family moves to the city. Earlier, Later, Sooner
  • The sun dropped below the rooftops. ___, the first stars came out. Earlier / For example / Soon
  • To build a snowman, ___ roll a big ball for the base. finally, first, last
  • ___ upon a time, a fox lived by a river. First, Once, Then
  • Wash the apple, and ___ dry it with a towel. but, first, then
  • ___, the water felt cold. After a minute it felt fine. At first / At last / Finally
  • We ate dinner. ___ that, we washed the dishes we had used. After, Before, Until
  • We clapped for the first singer. ___ after, the second singer walked on stage. Never, Soon, Until
  • We could not go out ___ the storm passed. during, until, while
  • ___ we got to the beach, the tide was already out. As long as / By the time / Until
  • We lost the first game. ___ in the season, we won six in a row. Before, Earlier, Later
  • We packed the car on Friday night. Early the ___ morning, we drove to the lake. first, last, next
  • We planted the seeds on Monday. A week ___, green shoots came up. earlier, first, later
  • We sang the first verse. ___ we hummed the tune again. Because, Then, Unless
  • We searched every closet for the kitten. ___, we found her asleep in a boot. Finally / First / For example
  • We set up the tent. ___, we crawled inside it and went to sleep. Afterward / Beforehand / For example
  • We stood at the stop for an hour. ___, the bus came around the corner. At first / At last / For example
  • We were reading in our tent. ___, the flashlight flickered and died. First / For example / Suddenly
  • Yesterday we picked apples. ___ we will bake them into a pie. Last week / Today / Yesterday
  • ___ you cross the street, look both ways. After, Before, Then

How this list was compiled: Written for this page. Each item is one to three short sentences with one blank for a transition word or phrase. In the first set the blank takes a word of time order (first, next, then, finally, before, after, meanwhile, later), and the other two choices would put the steps in an order that cannot be, or are not words of time. In the second set the blank takes a linking word that adds (also, in addition, another), contrasts (however, in contrast, on the other hand), gives an example (for example, such as, especially), or shows a cause or result (because, therefore, as a result), and the other two choices show a relation the sentences do not have. Every item was read with each choice in the blank, and the facts of nature in the sentences were checked in Wikipedia. The kinds of transition follow the Wikipedia article Transition (linguistics), read 9 October 2026, and the skill follows standards W.2.3 (temporal words), W.3.2c, W.4.2c and W.5.2c (linking words and phrases) of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts, published at thecorestandards.org and read the same day. No person, brand or character is named. Licence: own work

How it works

A transition word shows how one sentence follows from another: next in time, a contrast, an example, a result. Each item is one to three short sentences with a blank and three choices, and only one makes sense.

Read the full guide

Time order words

First, we mixed the batter. ___, we poured it into the pan. The choices are Next, However and For example. Pouring comes after mixing, so the answer is Next. Pick Time order under Set for a sheet of first, then, before, after and finally.

Linking words and phrases

The bridge is closed. ___, the bus takes a longer route. The second sentence is a result, so the answer is Therefore. Other items add (in addition), contrast (however, in contrast) or give an example (for instance, such as).

Questions and answers

What are transition words?

Words and phrases that show how ideas connect: first, next, however, for example, as a result. They are also called linking words, and they carry a reader from one sentence or paragraph to the next.

Which transition words do 3rd, 4th and 5th graders learn?

The Common Core gives examples. Grade 3 (W.3.2c): also, another, and, more, but. Grade 4 (W.4.2c): another, for example, also, because. Grade 5 (W.5.2c): in contrast, especially.

Are temporal words and linking words the same as transition words?

They are kinds of transition. The standards say temporal words for time order in grades 1 to 3 (W.1.3, W.2.3, W.3.3c), linking words in grades 2 and 3 (W.2.1, W.3.2c) and transitional words from grade 4 (W.4.3c).

Is there a transition words worksheet for 1st grade or 2nd grade?

Pick Time order under Set. Those items use first, next, then, before, after and last in short sentences about everyday steps, such as making toast or building a snowman.

Can I save a transition words worksheet as a PDF?

Press Print worksheet and choose Save as PDF as the printer. The key is the last page of the file, with the right choice circled under each sentence.

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