Context Clues
When you read a word you do not know, look at the words around it! Writers often leave clues using synonyms, antonyms, or examples.
Clue 1: Synonyms join_inner
Clue 2: Antonyms swap_horiz
Clue 3: Examples format_list_bulleted
Do not ignore words like "but", "however", or "although"!
Tranquil means noisy. error (Ignoring the word "but")
Tranquil means quiet/peaceful. check_circle (The opposite of noisy)
Quick Check bolt
Mission my_location
Mission my_location
Mission my_location
Video Lesson
Watch carefully! Teacher Sopheak will show you exactly how to hunt for these clues in real paragraphs.
Ask a Question person_raised_hand
Recent Questions
Hi Vireak! Sometimes writers do not leave clues. In that case, you have to use a dictionary or try to guess the meaning based on the general idea of the whole paragraph. menu_book
Are "like" and "such as" the exact same thing?
Yes! Both are great signal words for examples. "Like" is a little bit more conversational, while "such as" is slightly more formal and often used in writing. edit_document
Can a comma be a clue?
Absolutely! Commas are very important. If a difficult word is followed by a comma, the word "or", and then an easy explanation, that is a synonym clue! Watch out for those commas. visibility
What if a word has no context clues around it?