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Digital SAT Transition Words

Every linking word tested on the Digital SAT Reading & Writing "Transitions" question, sorted the way you actually have to think about them — does the idea continue, does it cause something, or does it contradict?

91 words & phrases 3 categories 5 flagged watch-out words Compiled by SAT Samarkand
Category 1 of 3 · Continue

Continue

The idea keeps going in the same direction — adding, restating, comparing, or sequencing.

● 41 words & phrases
CONTINUE · 01

Add Information

AlsoAndFurthermoreIn additionMoreoverBesidesWhat's moreAlong these linesEqually
CONTINUE · 02

Give an Example

For exampleFor instanceSpecificallyNamelyIn particularTo illustrate
CONTINUE · 03

Define / Clarify

EffectivelyEssentiallyIn other wordsThat is
CONTINUE · 04

Emphasize

In factIndeedNotablySignificantlyOf course
CONTINUE · 05

Compare

LikewiseSimilarlyBy the same tokenIn the same wayCorrespondingly
CONTINUE · 06

Sequence of Events

PreviouslySubsequentlyFinallyInitiallyCurrentlyEventuallyThenNextAfterwardSecondlyWhileUltimately
Category 2 of 3 · Cause-and-Effect

Cause-and-Effect

One thing leads directly to the next — a reason, a result, or a consequence.

● 18 words & phrases
CAUSE-AND-EFFECT · 01

Cause & Effect

AccordinglyAs a resultAs suchBecauseConsequentlyForHenceSinceSoThusThereforeTherebyTo this endFor this reasonIn turnIt follows thatWith this in mindFittingly
Category 3 of 3 · Contradict

Contradict

The idea shifts, pushes back, or contrasts with what came before.

● 32 words & phrases
CONTRADICT · 01

Contrast

AlthoughThoughButConverselyDespiteIn spite ofEven soEven thoughHoweverIn contrastInsteadMeanwhileNeverthelessNonethelessOn the contraryOn the other handOtherwiseRatherRegardlessStillWhereasWhileYetThat saidAlbeitNotwithstandingBy contrastIn any event
CONTRADICT · 02

Concession

AdmittedlyGrantedTo be sureBe that as it may
Read Before You Guess

Watch-Out Words

These words swing between categories depending on the sentence — memorizing a single meaning is exactly how students miss them on test day.

● 5 flagged words
DUAL-USE

Same Word, Different Job

While
Sequence (“during this time”) in Continue vs. contrast (“whereas”) in Contradict — the single most mistested transition on the SAT. Read the whole sentence before choosing a lane.
Since
Cause (“because”) vs. time (“since then”). The SAT tests both senses — don’t auto-assume causation.
So
On the SAT, “so” is always the causal connector (“therefore”), never the casual intensifier (“so good”).
Still
Almost always a contrast word on the SAT (“nevertheless”), not a literal continuation in time.
Ultimately
Sequence/finality (“in the end”) in Continue, but sometimes summarizes a consequence, which reads more like Cause-and-Effect. Judge by context, not by memory.

Why This List

Compiled by SAT Samarkand's Reading & Writing mentors from real Transitions question drills — sorted the way you actually have to think about them on test day, not alphabetically or by part of speech.

What's Included

91 words and phrases across three categories — Continue, Cause-and-Effect, and Contradict — plus a dedicated Watch-Out section for the words students mistest most often.

Keep Studying

Pair this with our SAT Math Formula Sheet, explore our SAT English prep course, or take a free diagnostic test.

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