An SAT Reading & Writing micro-topic under Transitions (Expression of Ideas + Standard English Conventions). Free to read — no account needed.
Sequence and order transitions — first, then, next, later, afterward, subsequently, finally — tell the reader that one event follows another in time. They organize a passage into a chronological order.
Choose a sequence word when the passage clearly moves forward in time. Consider: "The company first tested the new engine in a laboratory. ______, it ran the engine for a month on a real highway." The highway test comes after the lab test, so "Later" or "Then" fits — the transition marks the step from an earlier stage to a following one.
The trap is choosing a sequence word when there is no real time order — or an addition word when there is one. Consider: "The new bridge shortened the daily commute between the towns. ______, it gave cyclists a safe route away from the traffic." Here the second part adds a separate benefit rather than a next step in time, so an addition word like "In addition" fits, not "Later".
So decide whether the two parts are steps in a timeline or just related points. A clear before-and-after calls for first, then, next, later, or finally; a simple "here's one more" calls for an addition word. Reading for time order tells you which family to pick from.
Worked examples
Which choice best completes the text? "The unification of Europe was attempted first by Charlemagne's empire. ______, it was taken up by the Holy Roman Empire, which carried the idea forward for centuries." (A) Later (B) In addition The second empire came after the first, so the sentence traces a progression in time rather than adding a separate point. A sequence transition fits, so (A), "Later", is correct.
Which choice best completes the text? "During his first four years as an artist, Van Gogh confined himself almost entirely to drawing. ______, he began to work in oils, and his canvases filled with color." (A) Then (B) Likewise The oil paintings came after the years of drawing, so the passage moves along a timeline. A sequence transition fits, so (A), "Then", is correct.
Which choice best completes the text? "The committee first reviewed every application in detail. ______, it invited the strongest candidates for interviews before making a final decision." (A) Next (B) For example Inviting candidates is the step that follows the review, so the events are ordered in time. A sequence transition fits, so (A), "Next", is correct.
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