Logical connectives are symbols or words used to connect statements in logic, forming complex expressions. The most common logical connectives include AND, OR, NOT, and IF...THEN. Each connective has a specific function: AND combines statements that must both be true, OR allows for at least one statement to be true, NOT negates a statement, and IF...THEN establishes a conditional relationship between two statements. These connectives are essential in formal logic, mathematics, and computer science, as they help in constructing logical arguments and evaluating the truth of complex propositions. By using logical connectives, one can analyze and simplify statements, making it easier to understand relationships between different ideas or conditions.