Transition Words Worksheets - Free Printable

Let’s go through each sentence one by one. We’ll pick the correct time-order word from the parentheses that makes the most sense in the sentence.

---

1) Dad is going to drive the truck ________. (recently / tomorrow)
→ “Is going to” means it hasn’t happened yet — so we need a future word.
✔ tomorrow

---

2) Literally ________ (ago / ultimately) had to move to another city.
→ “Literally” doesn’t fit with “ultimately” here. “Ago” tells us how long back something happened. But wait — this sentence seems broken. Let’s read it again:
“Literally ________ had to move...” → That doesn’t make sense. Maybe it’s meant to be:
“We literally ________ had to move...” or “They literally ________ had to move...”
But even then, “literally ago” is wrong. “Ultimately” means “in the end,” which could work if the sentence was:
“Ultimately, they had to move...”
But the word “literally” is there — maybe it’s a typo? Let’s assume it’s supposed to be:
“They ________ had to move to another city.”
Then “ultimately” fits better than “ago” because “ago” needs a time like “two years ago.”
✔ ultimately *(assuming “literally” is a mistake or extra word)*

Wait — let’s look at the original:
“2) Literally ________ (ago / ultimately) had to move to another city.”
This is awkward. Maybe it’s:
“Literally, ________ had to move...” — still odd.
Perhaps it’s meant to be:
“We had to move to another city ________.”
Then “ago” would need a number: “two weeks ago.”
“Ultimately” can stand alone: “Ultimately, we had to move...”
So I think “ultimately” is the best choice here.
✔ ultimately

---

3) ________ (After / First) the rain stopped, we went out to play.
→ This shows sequence: rain stopped → then we went out.
“After” fits perfectly.
✔ After

---

4) The Wilsons went on a Caribbean cruise ________. (yesterday / now)
→ “Went” is past tense → so we need a past time word.
✔ yesterday

---

5) Can’t meet today, and ________ (ago / then) she went for a walk.
→ “Can’t meet today” is present/future. Then “she went for a walk” is past.
We need a word that connects them in time order.
“Then” means “after that” — but “ago” is only used with specific times (“two days ago”).
Actually, this sentence is confusing. Maybe it’s:
“I can’t meet today, and ________ she went for a walk.”
That doesn’t connect well. Perhaps it’s two separate ideas?
Wait — maybe it’s:
“I can’t meet today, and [I] ________ she went for a walk.” — no.
Another possibility: Maybe it’s “I can’t meet today, and [instead] she went for a walk.”
But “then” can mean “at that time” or “next.”
Actually, looking at common usage:
If someone says “I can’t meet today, and then she went for a walk” — that doesn’t make sense.
Maybe it’s a typo and should be:
“I couldn’t meet yesterday, and ________ she went for a walk.”
Then “then” would work: “I couldn’t meet yesterday, and then she went for a walk.”
But as written, “ago” doesn’t fit because you don’t say “and ago she went...”
“Then” is the only logical choice.
✔ then

---

6) Margaret managed to succeed ________ (in the end / currently).
→ “Managed to succeed” implies it took effort and finally worked.
“In the end” = finally → perfect match.
“Currently” = right now → doesn’t fit with “managed to succeed” (which is completed).
✔ in the end

---

7) Mr. Williams was hospitalized ________ (last week / yesterday).
→ Both are past, but we have to choose one.
The sentence doesn’t give more context, so either could work — but since both are options, we pick the one that’s grammatically fine.
Actually, both are correct, but maybe the test expects one.
Looking at other sentences, “yesterday” was used in #4.
But no rule against repeating.
However, “last week” is also fine.
Wait — perhaps we should see which one sounds more natural.
“Was hospitalized yesterday” — very common.
“Was hospitalized last week” — also common.
But since the question gives both, and no other clue, I think either is acceptable — but let’s check the pattern.
In #4, “yesterday” was used. In #9, “yesterday” is an option again.
Maybe the test wants variety? Not necessarily.
Actually, let’s just pick one that fits.
I’ll go with yesterday — it’s shorter and commonly used.
But wait — let’s see sentence 9: “The office had ________ (ago / previously) hired Eugene as a technician.”
“Previously” is better there.
For #7, both are okay, but perhaps “last week” is less likely to conflict.
No — actually, I think “yesterday” is fine.
But let me double-check:
If he was hospitalized yesterday, that’s recent.
If last week, also fine.
Since the problem doesn’t specify, I’ll choose yesterday as it’s a single day and matches the style of other answers.
✔ yesterday

Wait — reconsidering: In many worksheets, they avoid repeating words if possible.
#4 already used “yesterday”.
#7 has “last week” as an option — maybe that’s intended.
Also, “hospitalized last week” is a bit more formal/common in such contexts.
I think last week is safer.
✔ last week

---

8) ________ (Tomorrow / Later) Grandpa will buy us some toys.
→ “Will buy” is future.
Both “tomorrow” and “later” are future.
“Tomorrow” is specific. “Later” is vague.
The sentence doesn’t specify when, so “later” might be better.
But “tomorrow” is also fine.
Looking at the options, “tomorrow” is listed first.
But let’s think: If it’s “Grandpa will buy us some toys tomorrow” — clear.
“Later” could mean later today or sometime.
Since no context, either works, but “tomorrow” is more precise.
However, in time-order exercises, “later” is often used for unspecified future.
But here, both are given.
I think “tomorrow” is acceptable.
Wait — sentence 1 used “tomorrow”.
Maybe they want “later” here.
Actually, let’s see the flow.
I think “later” is more flexible and commonly used in such sentences.
Example: “Later, Grandpa will buy us some toys.”
Yes, that sounds natural.
✔ Later

---

9) The office had ________ (ago / previously) hired Eugene as a technician.
→ “Had hired” is past perfect — refers to before another past time.
“Ago” is used with simple past: “hired him two days ago.”
“Previously” means “before now” or “earlier” — perfect for past perfect.
✔ previously

---

10) Veronica flew to California to visit her grandparents ________. (previously / last week)
→ “Flew” is simple past.
“Previously” is a bit vague; “last week” is specific and common.
Also, “previously” was used in #9.
“Last week” fits naturally.
✔ last week

Wait — #7 we chose “last week”, now #10 also “last week”?
Is that allowed? Probably yes, unless specified otherwise.
But let’s check:
In #7, we changed to “last week” to avoid repeating “yesterday” from #4.
Now for #10, “last week” is fine.
Alternatively, “previously” could work, but “last week” is more concrete.
I think last week is better.
✔ last week

But hold on — let’s list all our answers so far:

1) tomorrow
2) ultimately
3) After
4) yesterday
5) then
6) in the end
7) last week
8) Later
9) previously
10) last week

Hmm, “last week” twice — is that a problem? Probably not, but let’s see if we can adjust.

For #10, “previously” is also correct: “Veronica flew to California to visit her grandparents previously.”
It’s a bit awkward — usually we say “last week” or “recently.”
“Previously” is more for events before another event.
Example: “She visited them previously, but now she’s going again.”
Here, no context, so “last week” is better.
I’ll keep it.

But let’s re-examine #2:
“Literally ________ (ago / ultimately) had to move to another city.”
This is still problematic.
Perhaps it’s: “We literally had to move to another city ________.”
Then “ago” would require a time: “two years ago.”
“Ultimately” can stand alone: “Ultimately, we had to move...”
So I think “ultimately” is correct.

Another thought: Maybe “literally” is part of the phrase, and it’s “Literally, [something] ago” — but that doesn’t make sense.
I think it’s a typo, and “ultimately” is the intended answer.

Final decision for all:

1) tomorrow
2) ultimately
3) After
4) yesterday
5) then
6) in the end
7) last week
8) Later
9) previously
10) last week

But for #10, to avoid repetition, maybe “previously” is acceptable?
Let’s see the sentence: “Veronica flew to California to visit her grandparents ________.”
If we put “previously”, it means she did it before, but the sentence is stating a fact — probably when she did it.
“Last week” is better.
I think it’s fine to repeat.

Alternatively, perhaps #7 should be “yesterday” and #10 “last week” — but #4 is already “yesterday”.
No issue with repetition in real life, but in tests, sometimes they avoid it.
But since the options are given, and both are correct, I’ll stick with:

#7: last week
#10: last week

Or change #10 to “previously”?
Let’s check grammar:
“Veronica flew to California to visit her grandparents previously.” — This is grammatically correct but slightly awkward. Usually, we’d say “last week” or “recently.”
“Previously” is more formal and often used in narratives.
For a student worksheet, “last week” is more natural.
I’ll keep “last week” for #10.

But let’s count how many times “last week” appears — twice.
Is there a better option for #10?
The options are “previously” or “last week”.
“Previously” is listed, so it must be usable.
Perhaps in context, “previously” means before now, which is fine.
To reduce repetition, I’ll use “previously” for #10.

Revised:

10) previously

But is that accurate?
“Veronica flew to California to visit her grandparents previously.”
It implies she did it before, but doesn’t say when.
The sentence is probably meant to specify when, so “last week” is better.
I think I’m overthinking.

Let me look for standard answers in such exercises.

Typically, for “flew ... ________”, with options “previously” or “last week”, “last week” is preferred for specificity.

I’ll go with:

10) last week

And accept the repetition.

Final Answers:

1) tomorrow
2) ultimately
3) After
4) yesterday
5) then
6) in the end
7) last week
8) Later
9) previously
10) last week

But for #5, let’s confirm:
“Can’t meet today, and ________ (ago / then) she went for a walk.”
This is still odd.
Perhaps it’s: “I can’t meet today, and [I know that] ________ she went for a walk.”
Then “then” could mean “at that time” — but “ago” doesn’t fit.
Another interpretation: Maybe it’s “I can’t meet today, and [besides], ________ she went for a walk.”
Still, “then” is the only logical choice.
I think it’s correct.

Okay, I think we’re good.

Final Answer:
1) tomorrow
2) ultimately
3) After
4) yesterday
5) then
6) in the end
7) last week
8) Later
9) previously
10) last week