Lesson 4: Confidently Transition Between Topics
Learn 9 ways that you can transition between topics so that your audience can clearly understand and follow your presentation.
Have you ever felt awkward trying to move from one topic to another during a presentation? You’re not alone. A lot of people focus so much on what to say that they forget how to guide their audience through the message.
Smooth transitions might seem like a small detail, but they make a big difference. They help your audience stay engaged, understand your points clearly, and follow your message from beginning to end.
The good news? There are simple, effective expressions that native speakers use all the time to transition naturally, and in this lesson, you’ll learn exactly how to use them.
📘 In This Guide, You’ll Learn:
✅ 9 transition phrases to sound more polished and professional
✅ How to use each one with clear examples
✅ Tips for choosing the right expression based on the situation
✅ A free PDF resource to help you practice and remember them
By the end, you’ll feel confident leading your audience through your ideas in a way that feels natural and easy to follow.
🎥 Watch the Video
Before we dive in, be sure to watch Episode 4 of the Business English Series. In the video, I walk you through all 9 transition expressions and show you how to use them smoothly and naturally during your presentations.
🗂 9 Expressions for Smooth Transitions
Let’s review the 9 transition expressions mentioned in the video, so you can start implementing them in your speech.
1️⃣ Neutral Transitions
These are clear and neutral ways to move from one topic to another, useful in almost any situation. Here are 3 great options:
Let’s move on to the next point.
Example: “Now that we’ve discussed the budget, let’s move on to the next point: marketing strategies.”Now that we’ve covered this section, let’s jump into the next one.
Example: “Now that we’ve covered the sales report, let’s jump into our marketing plan.”Now, let’s take a moment to look at…
Example: “Now, let’s take a moment to look at our projected quarterly growth.”
2️⃣ Building on Similar Ideas
When you want to add more to an idea or move smoothly to a related topic, these 3 expressions will help:
Building on what we just discussed…
Example: “Building on what we just discussed about customer feedback, let’s now look at how we can improve our services.”To dive deeper into that…
Example: “To dive deeper into customer satisfaction, let’s take a look at the recent survey results.”Just to take that a step further…
Example: “Just to take that a step further, here’s how we can apply these insights to our next product launch.”
3️⃣ Shifting to a New Idea
Sometimes, you need to transition to something completely different. These 3 expressions will help you signal that shift clearly:
Let’s pivot in another direction…
Example: “Let’s pivot in another direction and discuss the company’s upcoming marketing campaign.”Switching gears for a second here…
Example: “Switching gears for a second here, I’d like to talk about our annual company retreat.”Shifting focus now to…
Example: “Shifting focus now to our performance from last quarter…”
📝 Practice Activity: Apply the Transitions
In this activity, you'll practice using the expressions you've just learned. Read through the scenarios below and choose the best transition phrase to move smoothly from one point to the next. Try to write the whole sentence to practice using these transitions.
Scenario 1: Transitioning to a New Section
Imagine you’re giving a presentation on a new software update for your team. You’ve just finished explaining the features of the update. Now, you need to transition to discussing the implementation process.
Which transition would you use?
A. "Let’s move on to the next point."
B. "Building on what we just discussed…"
C. "Let’s pivot in another direction…"
Scenario 2: Adding More Information to the Same Topic
You’ve just finished presenting your quarterly sales numbers and want to talk about the strategy behind those numbers. Which transition is the best fit?
A. "To dive deeper into that…"
B. "Let’s take a moment to look at…"
C. "Switching gears for a second here…"
Scenario 3: Changing the Topic Completely
Now, you want to shift from discussing sales performance to talking about the company’s new social responsibility initiatives. Which transition works here?
A. "Let’s move on to the next point."
B. "Just to take that a step further…"
C. "Let’s pivot in another direction…"
Bonus: Create Your Own Transition
Now, use one of the transition expressions you've learned to make a smooth switch between two points in your own presentation. Write your transition below:
Your Transition:
💬 Why Smooth Transitions Matter
✔ Clarity for Your Audience: Without clear transitions, your presentation can feel disjointed. Smooth transitions help your audience follow the flow of your ideas, making it easier for them to understand and retain the information you're sharing.
✔ Maintain Engagement: Transitions guide your audience, ensuring they don’t lose track of the conversation. A well-placed transition keeps their attention focused and prepares them for what's coming next.
✔ Polish Your Professionalism: Using transitions like a native speaker demonstrates a high level of professionalism. It shows you’re prepared and in control of your presentation, making you sound more polished and confident.
✔ Help with Transitions in Your Own Mind: Using transitions not only benefits your audience but also helps you stay organized and focused. When you have a clear way to move from one point to the next, you’ll feel more confident and organized in your delivery.
✅ BONUS: Smooth Transitions Checklist
Want to ensure your transitions between topics are smooth, natural, and professional? Download or copy this FREE checklist to help you seamlessly guide your audience from one point to the next without missing a beat.
💪 Want More Practice?
If you’d like to practice these expressions and see how we can work together to improve your English for professional success, book 1 FREE class with me. This one-time session is a great way to identify your English level and discover if my lessons fit your professional goals.
📺 What’s Next?
📺 What’s Next?
Stay tuned for Episode 5, where we’ll cover expressions that you can use for staying on topic during your meeting or presentation. This will help you keep your audience engaged and your message focused from beginning to end!