70 Transition Phrases plus examples 1

Question 1

𝟏. 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐮é𝐬 (𝐝𝐞)– after, afterward

Answer 1

“Después (de)” can be used to connect two events expressing that something occurs after something else.

Question 2

I went to see a movie with Tom after school.

Answer 2

Fui a ver una película con Tom después de clases.

Question 3

My father went for a run after dinner.

Answer 3

Mi padre salió a correr después de la cena.

Question 4

𝟐. 𝐲𝐚 – already

“Ya” can be used for expressing that something has already occurred or has occurred in the past.

Answer 4

“Ya” can be used for expressing that something has already occurred or has occurred in the past.

Question 5

When I arrived, he had already left. (gone away)

Answer 5

Cuando llegué, él ya se había ido. (verb IRSE = to go away)

Question 6

I already apologized.

Answer 6

Ya me he disculpado

Question 7

𝟑. 𝐬𝐢𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞 – always

Answer 7

For describing something that happens always or at any moment, use siempre.

Question 8

I always eat breakfast at 7 am.

Answer 8

Yo siempre desayuno a las 7 am.

Question 9

He is always joking.

Answer 9

Siempre está bromeando.

Question 10

𝟒. 𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐮𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐨 – 𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐬, when, once

Answer 10

The phrase “en cuanto” can mean when or “as soon as”. It can also mean “while”.

Question 11

As soon as they return, I will call you.

Answer 11

En cuanto ellos vuelvan, te llamo.

Question 12

I recognized her as soon as I saw her.

Answer 12

La reconocí en cuanto la vi.

Question 13

Once I do my homework, I’m going to read.

Answer 13

En cuanto haga la tarea, voy a leer. (1st Pers Subj)

Question 14

𝟓. 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐨 – as soon as

Answer 14

“Tan pronto como” means “as soon as” or “immediately after” much like the phrase “en cuanto”.

Question 15

Do it as soon as you can.

Answer 15

Hazlo tan pronto como puedas. (“Haz” 2nd Pers Imp)

Question 16

He’ll eat as soon as he gets home.

Answer 16

Él comerá tan pronto como llegue a casa. (“llegue” 3rd Pers Subj)

Question 17

𝟔. 𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐨 – initially, at first, at the beginning

Answer 17

“Al principio” means “initially”, or “at the start of something.” This phrase is commonly used at the beginning of a sentence.

Question 18

She didn’t like him at first.

Answer 18

Al principio no le gustaba.

Question 19

It can be confusing at first.

Answer 19

Al principio puede ser confuso.

Question 20

At the beginning it will be tough, but everything is tough at the beginning.

Answer 20

Al principio será duro, pero todo es duro al principio.

Question 21

𝟕. 𝐩𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐧 – at last, finally

Answer 21

For describing something that occurs after a long wait or expressing the end of a long-awaited situation with emphasis, use “por fin”.

Question 22

I finally got a job.

Answer 22

¡Por fin! Por fin conseguí trabajo.

Question 23

The hero finally defeated the evil scientist.

Answer 23

El héroe por fin derrotó al científico malvado.

Question 24

𝟖. 𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐨 𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨 – at the same time, simultaneously

Answer 24

For describing events that occur at the same time, “al mismo tiempo” can be used.

Question 25

We arrived at the same time.

Answer 25

Llegamos al mismo tiempo.

Question 26

At the same time, he began to run.

Answer 26

Al mismo tiempo, él empezó a correr.

Question 27

𝟗. 𝐚 𝐥𝐚 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐚 𝐯𝐞𝐳 – at the same time, simultaneously

Answer 27

Like “al mismo tiempo”, “a la misma vez” can be used to describe two things happening at the same time.

Question 28

My daughter studies and watches TV at the same time.

Answer 28

Mi hija estudia y ve la tele a la misma vez.

Question 29

𝟏𝟎. 𝐢𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞 – at once, immediately, right away

Answer 29

“Inmediatamente” is an adverb, and it can be used to express that something happens without any interruptions / delay.

Question 30

When I read the news, I called you immediately.

Answer 30

Cuando leí la noticia, te llamé inmediatamente.

Question 31

𝟏𝟏. 𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐞 (𝐪𝐮𝐞) – before

Answer 31

Don’t forget to use the Spanish present subjunctive after the phrase “antes de que”. This phrase means “before”.

Question 32

Excuse me, sir. I was before you in the line. Talk to your father before he leaves. You need to get a learner's permit before being able to drive.

Answer 32

Perdón, señor. Estaba antes de usted en la fila. Habla con tu padre antes de que se vaya. ("vaya" 3rd Pers Present Subj Tienes que sacar el permiso de aprendizaje antes de poder conducir.

Question 33

𝟏𝟐. 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞 – briefly

Answer 33

“Brevemente” is an adverb that can be used to express that something is done shortly.

Question 34

I would like to briefly talk about the ideas that we want to propose.

Answer 34

Quiero hablar brevemente acerca de las ideas que queremos proponer.

Question 35

𝟏𝟑. 𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫, 𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐫 – the day before yesterday

Answer 35

This adverb also expresses time, and it can appear at the beginning or at the end of a sentence.

Question 36

My friends and I were here the day before yesterday.

Answer 36

Mis amigos y yo estuvimos aquí antes de ayer.

Question 37

𝟏𝟒. 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞 – during

Answer 37

The word “during” is a Spanish preposition, and it denotes simultaneity.

Question 38

They listened to the radio during the trip.

Answer 38

Ellos escucharon la radio durante el viaje.

Question 39

𝟏𝟓. 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞 – eventually

Answer 39

For expressing an action that occurs finally or "at last", use the Spanish adverb “eventualmente”.

Question 40

It is likely that changes occur eventually in the system.

Answer 40

Es probable que se produzcan cambios eventualmente en el sistema.