Signal Words and Verb Tense
Signal words help you to put in the correct tense. You can easily put in the correct form of the
verb if you know the signal word and which tense it demands.
signal word tense
every ... (day)
sometimes
often Simple Present
usually
seldom
now
at the moment
Present Progressive
Look!
Listen!
last ...
... ago
Simple Past
yesterday
in 1990
yet
ever Present Perfect
already
1
so far
up to now
Signal Words
In order to be able to lead your reader in the direction you want to go, you will have to use strong
transitions in your writing. You can do that in several ways: by using entire sentences to connect
one thought to another, entire paragraphs to give more background information, or simply a word
or two to indicate your intentions.
This list of signal words is from The New Reading Teacher's Book of Lists, 1985 Prentice-Hall,
Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632. By E. Fry, D. Fountoukidis, and J. Polk.
1. Continuation Signals (Warningthere are more ideas to come):
and also another again and finally
first of all a final reason furthermore in addition last of all
moreover likewise more with next
one reason other secondly similarly too
2. Change-of-direction signals (Watch outwere doubling back):
although but conversely despite different from
even though however in contrast instead of in spite of
nevertheless otherwise the opposite on the contrary on the other hand
rather still yet while though
3. Sequence signals (There is an order to these ideas):
2
first, second, third A, B, C in the first place for one thing then
next before now after while
into (far into the
until last during since
night)
always oclock on time later earlier
4. Illustration signals (Heres what that idea means in reality):
for example specifically for instance to illustrate such as
much like in the same way as similar to
5. Emphasis signals (This is important):
a major
it all boils down to a significant factor most of all a primary concern
development
more than pay particular
most noteworthy key feature a major event
anything else attention to
a distinctive
a vital force remember that a central issue should be noted
quality
the most especially
above all the main value the basic concept
substantial issue important
the crux of the
especially relevant especially valuable the chief outcome important to note
matter
the principal item
6. Cause, condition, or result signals (Condition or modification coming up):
because if of for from
3
so while then but that
until since as whether in order that
so that therefore unless yet thus
due to resulting from consequently
7. Spatial signals (Answers the where question):
between on by here there
left right these close to near
this side middle west beside
east about north south around
over under away in front of across
into behind toward beyond above
below opposite upon outside upon
next to inside alongside over out
far in adjacent near
8. Comparison-contrast signals (We will now compare idea A with idea B):
and or also too best
most either less less than more than
same better even then half
much as like analogous to but different from
still yet however although opposite
rather while though
9. Conclusion signals (This ends the discussion and may have special importance):
4
as a result consequently finally from this we see in conclusion
in summary hence last of all therefore
10. Fuzz signals (Idea not exact, or author not positive and wishes to qualify a statement):
almost if looks like maybe could
some except should alleged nearly
might reputed seems like was reported purported
sort of probably possibly
11. Non-word emphasis signals
exclamation point subheads, like The
underline italics bold type
(!) Conclusion
very short
indention of graphic numbered points
sentence: Stop quotation marks
paragraph illustrations (1,2,3)
War.
