Here's why:
* Transitional words connect ideas, sentences, or paragraphs and show the relationship between them. They often indicate sequence, contrast, addition, or cause and effect. Examples include "however," "therefore," "furthermore," "in addition," and "on the other hand."
* Subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses that cannot stand alone. They are necessary to create a complete sentence. Examples include "because," "although," "since," "while," "if," and "when."
"Upon," "almost," and "then" are all prepositions or adverbs, not transitional words.
Example:
> Because the weather was bad, we stayed inside.
In this sentence, "because" introduces the dependent clause "the weather was bad" which explains the reason for the main clause "we stayed inside."