9.1 Connectives, Conjunctions & Cohesion

9.1 Connectives, Conjunctions & Cohesion

Grammar on ICAS English is not only about naming a noun or spotting a tense error. Many syntax items test cohesion—how ideas link so a text reads as one continuous message rather than a pile of unrelated sentences. The main tools for that linking are conjunctions and connectives (also called linking words or discourse markers). The ICAS English framework treats connectives as a syntax skill across papers: younger papers may ask which word best joins two simple ideas; mid and upper papers may ask you to replace a connective while keeping the same logical relationship, or to name the relationship a word signals.

Quick Answer: Cohesion = how parts of a text stick together. Coordinating conjunctions join equal parts (and, but, or…). Subordinating conjunctions attach a dependent clause (because, although, when, if…). When you swap a connective, keep the same logical job (time, cause, contrast, addition, condition).

Why cohesion matters on ICAS

A correct answer is often the only option that makes the relationship between two ideas true. If Clause A is a reason for Clause B, you need a cause connective (because, since, as, so). If Clause A opposes Clause B, you need contrast (but, however, although, yet). Students who only match “a word that sounds formal” lose marks when the logic is wrong.

Cohesion also supports comprehension. When you read a long extract, tracking however, therefore, and meanwhile is a map of the writer’s argument or story structure—the same map you use in the Text Comprehension strand.

Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS)

Coordinating conjunctions join equal grammatical units: two words, two phrases, or two independent clauses.

Equal parts means each side can usually stand alone as a complete idea when you join full clauses:

The rain stopped. The match continued.
The rain stopped, and the match continued.

Joining with a coordinator does not make one clause grammatically “weaker.” That is the job of subordination.

Comma note (preview of 9.2)

When a coordinating conjunction joins two independent clauses, a comma often sits before the conjunction in standard school English: The bell rang, and the corridor filled. Short paired clauses sometimes omit the comma in informal writing; ICAS “correctly punctuated” items usually prefer the standard school pattern for longer clauses.

Subordinating conjunctions

A subordinating conjunction introduces a dependent (subordinate) clause—a clause that cannot stand alone as a full sentence and that depends on a main clause for complete sense.

Common subordinators:

Main + subordinate patterns:

1. Subordinate first (comma usually follows the opening clause):
   Although the bridge was old, the trucks still crossed.

2. Main first (comma often omitted when the subordinate clause follows):
   The trucks still crossed although the bridge was old.

The meaning relationship stays the same; only the order and punctuation shift. ICAS may ask which sentence keeps the same meaning after reordering, or which conjunction correctly shows concession (although) rather than pure time (when).

Dependent vs independent (quick test)

• because the power failed → incomplete (subordinate).
• The lifts stopped. → complete (independent).
• The lifts stopped because the power failed. → full sentence with cause link.

If an option leaves a dangling Although… or When… with no main clause, it is a fragment—a syntax error, not a style choice.

Connective families (beyond single-word conjunctions)

Writers also use adverbial connectives and multi-word links. These often sit at the start of a sentence or between sentences and need careful punctuation (semicolon or full stop before; comma after is common for many of them).

Original sentence pairs — same ideas, different links

Pair 1 — cause vs contrast

• Cause: The library closed early because the storm cut the power.
• Contrast: The library closed early, although many students still needed a quiet place to study.

Same opening fact; different second idea and different relationship.

Pair 2 — time vs result

• Time: We packed the tents after the ground dried.
• Result: The ground dried, so we packed the tents.

After orders events; so claims that drying caused the packing decision.

Pair 3 — addition vs alternative

• Addition: Maya brought markers and she brought spare paper.
• Alternative: Maya brought markers or she brought spare paper. (one of the two—not both required)

A single swapped word changes whether both items arrived or only one did.

Replacing connectives while preserving meaning (framework skill)

Upper primary and secondary ICAS items often reframe a sentence and ask which option keeps the same meaning. Treat this as a three-step method:

1. Name the relationship in the original (time / cause / result / contrast / addition / condition).
2. Find options in the same family (a contrast word for a contrast original).
3. Check direction and strength. Because points to a reason; so points to a result. Although concedes a fact that does not stop the main idea; but simply contrasts. Since can mean “because” or “from the time that”—use context.

Worked replacement

Original: The trail was icy; therefore the guides delayed the climb.

Relationship: result / consequence (delay follows from ice).

Original: Although the recipe looked complicated, Sam finished it in twenty minutes.

Same meaning replacements (concession): Even though the recipe looked complicated… / The recipe looked complicated, yet Sam finished it… (structure may change; logic of “obstacle does not prevent success” stays).

Wrong family: Because the recipe looked complicated, Sam finished it… — now complexity causes speed, which is a different claim.

Direction matters (cause vs result)

• We left early because the ferry was full. → reason for leaving.
• The ferry was full, so we left early. → same story facts, result wording.
• We left early so the ferry was full. → nonsense / wrong direction.

When options reshuffle clauses, track which idea is the cause and which is the outcome.

Grammatical relationship indicated by a connective

Some stems ask directly: Which word best shows that the second idea is a contrast? or What is the function of the underlined word?

Answer in relationship language:

Concession is a special contrast: the writer admits a fact (although it rained) that might block the main idea, then asserts the main idea anyway (the picnic went ahead). Pure contrast (but) does not always carry that “despite this” flavour, though options sometimes treat them as close.

Cohesion beyond the single conjunction

Connectives work with other cohesion tools you meet across the syntax strand:

• Pronouns (she, they, this) point back to earlier nouns.
• Repetition and synonyms keep a topic alive without monotony.
• Paragraph openers (On the other hand…, The next morning…) orient the reader.
• Ellipsis leaves out repeated words when the link is clear: Lina packed the red bag; Omar packed the blue.

If a paragraph feels “choppy” on a craft or proofreading item, missing or wrong connectives are a prime suspect. If it feels “muddled,” the connective may be present but in the wrong family.

Common traps

• Sound-alike swap: Choosing however because it sounds “exam smart” when the ideas are cause–result.
• Since ambiguity: Reading since only as time when the sentence means because, or the reverse.
• While ambiguity: While can mean “during the time that” or “whereas” (contrast). Use the full sentence.
• Comma splice “fix”: Joining two independent clauses with only however and commas (It rained, however, we played) is a punctuation error in many school standards; the cohesion word is fine, but the sentence may need a semicolon or full stop (see 9.3).
• Ignoring the second clause: The first clause alone never tells you which connective is right.

Exam stems and tactics

Typical stems:

• Which word best joins the two sentences without changing the meaning?
• Which option correctly shows that the second idea is a result of the first?
• The underlined word is used to show…
• Which sentence uses a subordinating conjunction correctly?
• Which connective could replace although and keep a similar meaning?

Tactics:

1. Label the relationship in the stem or original sentence in one word (cause, contrast…).
2. Cross out options from other families.
3. Check clause order and “direction” of cause/result.
4. Prefer the option that keeps both grammar and logic intact.
5. For fragments, ensure every subordinate clause still has a main clause.

Study drill — name the family

For each blank, decide the family before you invent a word:

1. The oven timer failed; ____ the cake burned. → result (so, therefore).
2. ____ the map was outdated, the hikers still found the hut. → concession (although).
3. Pack a torch ____ a whistle. → addition or alternative depending on sense (and / or).
4. Wait here ____ I return. → time (until).
5. You may enter ____ you have a pass. → condition (if).

Cohesion is the logic layer of syntax. Once you can name and swap connectives safely, punctuation (the next two sections) becomes the set of marks that make those links legal and clear on the page.