Context Clues

What are Context Clues?

 “CONTEXT CLUES” are hints found within a sentence, paragraph, or passage that a reader can use to understand the meaning of new or unfamiliar words.

As the word ‘context’ suggests, the meaning of a new word is understood by the context in which it is used in a given sentence.

There are several types of context clues. Given its number on the important ones have been listed below. There are 9 main ones which have been listed below:

1. 1.     DEFINITION CLUES:

• When a new word is formally defined or it is explained in a sentence (or even two), it is called a definition/explanation clue.
• Example: “The arbitrator, the neutral person chosen to settle the dispute, arrived at her decision.”
• Here, it is understood that an ‘arbitrator’ is a person who plays the role of a mediator.

1. 2.     EXAMPLE CLUES:

• Sometimes when a reader finds a new word, an example might be found nearby that helps to explain its meaning.
• Example: “Celestial bodies, including the sun, moon, and stars, have fascinated man through the centuries.”
• ‘Celestial’ objects are those in the sky or heavens.

1. 3.     SYNONYM or RESTATEMENT CLUES:

• Other words with similar meanings with the new word are used in the sentence. The following example is self-explanatory.
• Example: “The slender woman was so thin that her clothes were too big on her.”

1. 4.     ANTONYM or CONTRAST CLUES:

• A word is clarified by the presentation of another word that holds an opposite meaning, offering a contrast.
• Example: “While Melissa is clumsy and awkward, her sister is quite is elegant.”
• Here, it is understood that ‘elegant’ is the opposite of ‘clumsy and awkward’. Therefore, it means close to classy and graceful.

1. 5.     MOOD or TONE CLUES:

• The author sets a mood, an emotion, and the meaning of the unknown word must harmonize with the mood.
• Example: “The lugubrious wails of the gypsies matched the dreary whistling of the wind in the all-but-deserted cemetery.”
• ‘Lugubrious’ which means ‘sorrowful’ fits into the mood set by the words ‘wails’, ‘dreary’ and ‘deserted cemetery’.

1. 6.     ANALYSIS or STRUCTURE CLUES:

• The part of a word can be a direct clue to its meaning. Having knowledge of root words, prefixes and suffixes is very helpful in this case.
• Example: “The story is incredible.”
• The root ‘cred’ means ‘to believe’ and the prefix ‘in’ means ‘not’. Therefore, if a story is ‘incredible’, it is ‘unbelievable’.

1. INFERENCE CLUES:

• Word meanings have to be inferred from the context of the given sentence.
• Example: “I’m through with blind dates forever. What a dull evening! I was bored every minute. The conversation was vapid.”
• Here, ‘vapid’ means ‘uninteresting’.

1. CAUSE AND EFFECT CLUES:

• The author explains the reason for or the result of the word.
• Example: “She wanted to impress all her dinner guests with the food she served, so she carefully studied the necessary culinary arts.”
• Here, ‘culinary’ means ‘having to do with food’.

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