Literacy Focus
3 Top connectives!
What are connectives?
Connectives are words that are
used to extend a sentence, or
include more detail and
information.
3 connectives we often use are
‘however’, ‘and’ and ‘but.
For example…
The sentences below are very list-like…
On Tuesday I went swimming. I don’t
usually like swimming. I enjoyed it on
Tuesday. The water was warm. All of
my friends were there. It’s normally
really expensive. We were allowed in
to the pool for free!
For example…
…So we add connectives to extend some
of the sentences. This gives the writing
more structure and detail.
On Tuesday I went swimming. I don’t
usually like swimming, but I enjoyed
it on Tuesday. The water was warm
and all of my friends were there.
It’s normally really expensive;
however, we were allowed in to the
pool for free!
Some things to remember…
When using ‘however’ as a connective to join
two separate sentences, always use a semicolon before it and a comma after it.
E.g …
It’s normally really expensive however we
were allowed in to the pool for free!
…needs structure so it becomes…
It’s normally really expensive; however,
we were allowed in to the pool for free!
Some things to remember…
When using ‘but’ as a connective, always use a
comma before it.
E.g …
Mum is Scottish but Dad is English.
…becomes…
Mum is Scottish, but Dad is English.
Some things to remember…
When using ‘and’ as a connective, you don’t
need a comma before it.
E.g …
I ended up scoffing all of the cakes and
six biscuits!
…is fine!…
Have a go…
Look at this piece of text.
Add 2 connectives.
Correct the connective in the last sentence.
My favourite food is spaghetti. My
brother likes baked beans. Dinner time is
tricky for Mum because she has to cook
one thing for me. She has to cook
something different for my brother. I’ve
said I don’t mind trying new foods however
my brother is just not willing to change!
Have a go…
Look at this piece of text.
Add 2 connectives.
Correct the connective in the last sentence.
My favourite food is spaghetti, but My
brother likes baked beans. Dinner time is
tricky for Mum because she has to cook
one thing for me and she has to cook
something different for my brother. I’ve
said I don’t mind trying new foods;
however, my brother is just not willing to
change!