How to play. Read idea A and idea B. Decide how B relates to A — does it push back, follow as a result, pile on, restate, concede a point, or drive it home? Then tap the transition word that does that job and watch it brew in the cauldron. A wrong word brews the wrong relationship and tells you what it really claimed — fix it and brew again.
Every transition is a relationship between two ideas — that's the whole skill. For the strategy behind the eight relationships, read The Four Jobs of a Transition, then see where transitions sit in your own SAT with the free Forge diagnostic.
How SAT transition words actually work
On the digital SAT, a transition question is a logic test wearing a vocabulary costume. You're shown two sentences with a blank between them and four transition words to choose from. The trick is to ignore which word "sounds smart" and instead ask one question: how does the second idea relate to the first? Pick the relationship first; then any word that does that job is correct.
The hidden difficulty is that the test rarely lets you off with the blunt, obvious word. It bunches near-synonyms together so you have to make the fine distinction — granted versus however, that is versus therefore, indeed versus as a result. Students who default to the loudest word in a category ("it disagrees, so however") walk straight into the trap. The Transition Lab above is built to break that habit: near-synonyms react differently, so you feel the gap between contrast and concession instead of memorizing it.
The four jobs the test leans on hardest
- Contrast — the second idea opposes or limits the first. (however, yet, nevertheless, on the other hand)
- Cause and effect — the second idea is the result of the first. (therefore, thus, consequently, as a result)
- Addition — the second idea adds more in the same direction. (moreover, also, furthermore, in addition)
- Example — the second idea is a specific case of the first. (for example, for instance, specifically, namely)
Past those four, the SAT also tests concession (grant a point, then pivot), restatement (say the same thing more clearly), emphasis (drive the point home), and sequence (one thing after another) — the four the game saves for last, because they're where most points are lost.
SAT transition words list (the ~50 worth knowing)
These are the transitions that show up most on the digital SAT Writing & Language section, grouped by the relationship they signal.
| Relationship | Transition words |
|---|---|
| Contrast | however, but, yet, still, nevertheless, nonetheless, conversely, instead, rather, in contrast, on the other hand, even so |
| Cause & effect | therefore, thus, so, hence, consequently, as a result, accordingly |
| Addition | also, in addition, additionally, moreover, furthermore, besides |
| Example | for example, for instance, specifically, namely, in particular |
| Concession | admittedly, granted, of course, to be sure, naturally, that said |
| Restatement | in other words, that is, namely, to put it another way |
| Emphasis | indeed, in fact, notably, above all, crucially |
| Sequence / time | first, then, next, meanwhile, subsequently, eventually, finally |
| Conclusion | in conclusion, in short, overall, ultimately, to sum up |
| Comparison | similarly, likewise, in the same way |
Frequently asked questions
What relationships do SAT transition words signal?
Contrast (however, yet), cause and effect (therefore, thus), addition (moreover, also), example (for instance), concession (granted, admittedly), restatement (in other words, that is), emphasis (indeed, in fact), and sequence (subsequently, meanwhile). Decide which relationship fits the gap, then pick any word that does that job.
What's the difference between "however" and "therefore"?
"However" signals contrast — the second idea clashes with the first. "Therefore" signals cause and effect — the second idea is the result of the first. If the sentences disagree, use however; if the first causes the second, use therefore.
What's the difference between "however" and "granted"?
"However" is plain contrast — the second idea pushes against the first. "Granted" is concession — you agree the other side has a fair point, then pivot to your own. Use granted when the writer concedes first and turns second. Mixing these two up is one of the most common transition errors, which is exactly why the Transition Lab makes them react differently.
Is this transition words game free?
Yes — it runs in your browser, needs no account, and explains every miss. When you want the same diagnosis across your whole SAT, take the free Forge diagnostic.
Want the deeper strategy behind these? Read SAT Transition Words: The Four Jobs of a Transition, or see whether transitions are a strength or a guessing spot for you with the free Forge diagnostic.