Connectives, or linking words, are essential in formal English writing to link clauses, sentences, paragraphs, and ideas together to form a cohesive unit of written work. Connective words and phrases that are appropriately used count towards a higher Writing Test Band Score. Look at the table below.
TABLE OF SOME OF THE MOST COMMONLY USED CONNECTIVE WORDS AND PHRASES
(Refer to an academic writing textbook or teacher for a detailed discussion of appropriate usage.)
Note:
- Connectives marked with an asterisk (*) do not usually occur in the middle of sentences.
- Inclusion in a particular group does not mean that the connectives are always interchangeable.
