You're staring at a half-finished email or a dry essay and that one word keeps popping up. Additionally. It’s safe. It’s polite. It’s also incredibly boring. Honestly, if you use it more than once in a paragraph, your reader’s eyes are probably glazing over faster than a donut in a heatwave. Using other words for additionally isn't just about showing off a fancy vocabulary; it’s about controlling the flow of your ideas so people actually want to finish reading what you wrote.
Writing isn't just about dumping information. It’s about rhythm. When you lean on the same transition words over and over, you create a monotonous drumbeat that puts people to sleep. We’ve all been there—trying to sound professional but ending up sounding like a corporate chatbot from 2021.
The truth is, the English language is messy and weird. We have dozens of ways to say "also," but they aren't all interchangeable. Some feel heavy and academic, while others are quick and punchy. If you're writing a text to a friend, you'd never say, "Additionally, I'll bring the chips." You’d say "plus" or "also." But in a business proposal? "Plus" might feel a bit too casual.
Why Your Brain Goes Straight to Additionally
Most of us were taught to write in a very specific, rigid way in school. Teachers loved "additionally" because it clearly marked a new point. It’s a signpost. But in the real world—the world of Google Discover and high-stakes business deals—overly formal signposts can feel stiff.
Think about the last time you read a Great American Novel or a viral long-form article. They don't usually rely on these clunky transitions. Instead, they use the logic of the sentences to bridge the gap. But when you do need a bridge, you need to pick the right one for the job.
The Casual Contenders
Sometimes you just need to keep the momentum going without making a big deal out of it.
Also. It’s the bread and butter of English. Simple. Short. It works almost everywhere. Some people think it’s too basic, but "also" is a workhorse that doesn't distract the reader from your actual point.
Plus. This one is great for adding a "bonus" feel to your sentence. It suggests that what you’re about to say is an extra perk. "The new software is faster, plus it saves you $20 a month." It’s conversational and direct.
On top of that. This is a bit more emotive. Use this when you want to pile on the facts, maybe with a hint of frustration or excitement. It carries more weight than a simple "also."
Professional Alternatives That Don't Sound Stale
In a workplace setting, you might feel the need to keep things polished. That's fair. But "additionally" is often used as a crutch when the writer is afraid of being too blunt.
Furthermore. Okay, this is still pretty formal. Use it sparingly. It works best when you’re building an argument. If your first point was strong, "furthermore" introduces a point that’s even stronger. It’s like saying, "If you weren't convinced yet, listen to this."
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Moreover. This is the cousin of furthermore. It feels a bit more intellectual. You'll see this a lot in legal writing or academic journals. If you use it in a Slack message, people might think you’re being sarcastic or overly posh. Use with caution.
In the same vein. This is a personal favorite. It tells the reader that the next thought is connected to the previous one by a common theme. It feels much more natural than a standard "additionally."
Equally important. This is a power move. It tells the reader exactly how to value the information. You aren't just adding data; you're ranking it.
The Power of the "And" Start
Wait, can you start a sentence with "And"? Yes. Absolutely. Forget what your third-grade teacher told you.
Modern style guides, from the Chicago Manual of Style to the AP Stylebook, have no problem with beginning a sentence with a conjunction. It creates a sense of immediacy. It’s punchy.
"The team worked through the night. And they still finished under budget."
That "And" does the work of other words for additionally but with half the syllables and twice the impact. It forces the reader to stop for a micro-second and pay attention to what comes next.
Avoiding the "Listicle" Trap
One of the biggest mistakes writers make when searching for other words for additionally is using them to mask a lack of structure. If your paragraph is just five unrelated facts tied together with "moreover" and "besides," no amount of vocabulary will save it.
A better way? Use a colon.
- "The house had three main flaws: the roof leaked, the floors creaked, and the ghosts were loud."
No transition word needed. The structure of the sentence does the heavy lifting for you.
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Adding a Surprise Factor
Sometimes you want to add information that contradicts or expands on the previous point in an unexpected way.
- As a bonus. This sets a positive tone immediately.
- Not to mention. This is perfect for "piling on" evidence. It implies that the point is so obvious it barely needs saying (even though you're saying it).
- To boot. This is a bit old-fashioned but has a nice rhythm. "He’s a great chef and a world-class marathon runner to boot."
Context Matters More Than the Word Itself
You wouldn't wear a tuxedo to a backyard BBQ, and you shouldn't use "furthermore" in a casual blog post about cat toys.
When you’re looking for other words for additionally, ask yourself: Who am I talking to? If it’s a client you’ve known for five years, "also" or "plus" is fine. If it’s a white paper for a medical journal, you might lean into "likewise" or "additionally" because the environment demands that level of formality.
Likewise. Use this when the two things you’re comparing are very similar. It’s about symmetry. "The marketing team needs more resources. Likewise, the sales department is struggling with outdated tools."
Beyond that. This is great for moving from one category of thought to another. It signals a shift in perspective.
The Danger of Over-Transitioning
There is a real risk of using too many transitions. This is a classic "AI writing" footprint. Language models love to start every single sentence with a transition word like "Moreover," "Additionally," or "Consequently." It makes the writing feel robotic and predictable.
Real human speech is more varied. We often just jump to the next point.
"I went to the store. I bought milk. I forgot my wallet."
We don't say, "I went to the store. Additionally, I bought milk. Subsequently, I realized I forgot my wallet." That sounds like a police report written by a robot. Sometimes, the best way to say "additionally" is to say nothing at all. Let the sequence of events tell the story.
Specific Examples in Professional Writing
Let's look at a boring sentence and spice it up.
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- Boring: "The project is on track. Additionally, we have stayed under budget."
- Better (using "Plus"): "The project is on track. Plus, we’ve managed to stay under budget."
- Better (using "Not only"): "Not only is the project on track, but we’re actually under budget."
- Better (Direct): "The project is on track. Even better? We're under budget."
See how the "Even better?" version feels more human? It captures the emotion of the situation.
Actionable Steps for Better Writing
If you want to scrub your writing of "additionally" and find better alternatives, start with these three steps:
Search and Destroy. Before you hit send or publish, hit Ctrl+F (or Cmd+F) and search for "additionally." If it appears more than once every 500 words, you have a problem.
Read it Out Loud. This is the oldest trick in the book because it works. If you find yourself tripping over a word or sounding too stiff, change it. If you wouldn't say it in a meeting, don't write it in an email.
Vary Your Sentence Length. If you use a long, complex transition word like "furthermore," follow it up with a short, punchy sentence. This keeps the reader's brain engaged.
Try the "Also" Test. Replace every "additionally" with "also." If the sentence still makes sense and doesn't lose its meaning, keep "also." Only upgrade to a "fancier" word if the context specifically requires a nuanced meaning like "similarly" or "on the other hand."
Stop letting your vocabulary get in the way of your message. The goal isn't to sound smart; the goal is to be understood. Use these other words for additionally to create a flow that feels natural, energetic, and—most importantly—human.
The next time you’re tempted to drop a heavy "additionally" into a paragraph, try using a simple "and" or a "plus." Or, better yet, try reconfiguring the sentence so the transition happens naturally. Your readers will thank you for it by actually finishing the page.
Next Steps for Your Writing:
- Review your last three sent emails specifically for transition word over-use.
- Practice "The Rule of Three": Only allow yourself one formal transition word (like moreover or additionally) per page of text.
- Experiment with Conjunctions: Start three sentences in your next draft with "And," "But," or "So" to see how it affects the pace.