hey channika,
welcome to the website and great to get a question from you!
Transition signals are used mainly in writing, especially academic writing (essays). The word transit means moving, and so we use transition when you are moving from one part of your essay to another part of your essay. They are mainly used when you move from Topic sentence in a paragraph to the supporting sentence, and other types of transition signals are used when you are moving from supporting sentence to another supporting sentence.
An essay paragraph usually looks like this....
Topic Sentence ( contains the main idea of the paragraph )
Support Sentence ( contains support ideas for the main idea )
Support Sentence ( contains support ideas for the main idea )
Support Sentence ( contains support ideas for the main idea )
Support Sentence ( contains support ideas for the main idea )
Support Sentence ( contains support ideas for the main idea
Concluding sentence ( this is optional, so not necessary, but good if
can do one, but they are hard to do
)
So when you move from the main idea to the support ideas you MUST use a transition signals for that. Also when you move from a support idea to another support idea, you MUST use transition for that too.
The main transition signals used for moving from Topic Sentence ( Main idea ) to your Support sentence are....For example, For instance, In this way, In this respect, In this regard.
The main transition signals for moving from Support Sentence ( supporting idea ) to another Support Sentence are.....Furthermore, Moreover, Also, As well as this, In addition.
Sometimes when native speakers write they DO NOT use transition signals are they are able to connect ideas without using them. However, it is a good idea for ALL second language learners to try to use them when you are doing any formal writing in English.
I hope that helps!
Thanks for your question, look forward to more questions from you!
have fun, :wink:
Paul
