Connectives are words that link ideas and make relationships between concepts clear. They are important for writing, communication, and developing understanding. Connectives can join parts of sentences, relate different ideas within paragraphs, or connect full paragraphs. Teachers should encourage students to use a wide variety of connectives to clarify relationships between concepts both in writing and speech.

1. Connectives

2. The teaching of reading,
writing, communications
and maths is highly effective
and well planned.

3. Connectives:
why are they so important?
Connectives are words or phrases
that tie one thought to another.
Using them effectively shows a
clear understanding of what is
being said and how ideas develop.

4. To use 'and' to connect parts of sentences.
To use connectives like 'but', 'so' and 'or' to connect ideas.
To use more complex connectives like 'because' or 'when' to show the
relationship between ideas.
To use a wider range of connectives like 'on the other hand' to make the
relationship between ideas clear.
To confidently use a wide range of connectives to clarify the relationship
between ideas.
To purposefully use a wide range of connectives to link ideas and help guide
the reader.

5. Joining parts of a sentence
Connectives of reason:
He was hungry because he had not eaten lunch.
Richard left late so he missed the bus.
Connectives of time:
Craig watched Eastenders before doing his work.
Until it was time for bed, Kerry did the ironing.
Connectives of place:
Wherever he goes, Dave watches out for traffic.
The dog could be found hiding under the table.

6. Joining parts of a paragraph
David knew he had lots of housework
to do. On the other hand, he wanted
to go to the pub to watch the cup
final. Surely he could just do a bit of
dusting and that would be enough?

7. Joining paragraphs
David knew he had lots of housework to do. On
the other hand, he wanted to go to the pub to
watch the cup final. Surely he could just do a bit
of dusting and that would be enough?
Suddenly, he realised that his mum was coming to
visit tomorrow and would hate the mess. However,
she was so much better at cleaning than him.
Therefore he would leave the housework and let
his mum do it.

8. •Next •Meanwhile
•Then •After
•First/second •To begin with
•Finally •Initially

9. •Above all
•In particular
•Especially
•Significantly
•Indeed
•Notably

10. •For example
•Such as
•For instance
•As revealed by
•Namely
•In the case of…

11. •Because
•So
•Therefore
•Thus
•Consequently
•As a result

12. •Similarly
•Also
•Likewise
•Too
•In like manner
•Equally
•As with

13. •However
•On the other hand
•Conversely
•On the contrary
•In contrast to this
•Otherwise
•Alternatively

14. •In addition
•Likewise
•Furthermore
•As well as this
•Also
•Moreover
•Too

15. On Inside
Within Outside
Throughout Near
Beyond Among
Below Beneath
To Towards
From Into
Out of Off

16. Before During
Earlier Later
Since Meanwhile
In + _ hours At + o’clock
Whenever Already
Till Until
Now By + the time..

17. • However
• Although
• Unless
• Except
• If
• Yet
• As long as
• Apart from
• Despite

18. Key messages
1. Connectives are really important in
showing extended knowledge and
can be utilised in all subjects.
2. We must be constantly
encouraging students to use
connectives in both their written
and oral communication.
3. Students are given targets that are
relevant in helping to develop their
skills. We all have a responsibility
to help the students meet these
targets.