Context Clues

Context Clues

Context Clues are hints that the author gives to help define a difficult or unusual word. The clue may appear within the same sentence as the word to which it refers, or it may follow in a preceding sentence. 

The context is simply the words or ideas around your unknown word.

How to understand new words using Context Clues?

Four Types of Context Clues

1. Definition / Explanation2. Restatement / Synonym3. Contrast / Antonym4. Inference / General Context Clues

Types of Context Clues

1. Definition / Explanation

The new term may be formally defined, or sufficient explanation may be given within the sentence or in the following sentence.

Clues to definition include “that is,” commas, dashes, and parentheses.

Context Clue: Definition / Explanation

Let’s have an example: (1)

The arbitrator, , What could be the definition of

arbitratorin this sentence ?

the neutral person chosen to settle the dispute

arrived at her decision.

- the neutral person chosen to settle the dispute

arrived at her decision.

arbitrator

Context Clue: Definition / Explanation

Fluoroscopy, examination with a fluoroscope, has become a common practice.

The commas before and after “examination with a fluoroscope” point out the definition of “fluoroscopy.”

The commas before and after “examination with a fluoroscope” point out the definition of “fluoroscopy.”

Let’s have an example: (2)

What could be the meaning of the word fluoroscopy?

Fluoroscopy – an examination with a fluoroscope

Context Clue: Definition / Explanation

Now, you try!

The dudeen – a short-stemmed clay pipe – is found in Irish folk tales.

What could be the definition of dudeen in this sentence?

dudeen – a short-stemmed clay pipe

The dashes setting off “a short-stemmed clay pipe” point out the definition of “dudeen.”

The dashes setting off “a short-stemmed clay pipe” point out the definition of “dudeen.”

Types of Context Clues

2. Restatement / Synonyms

The meaning is usually right after the unfamiliar wordand often separated from the rest of the sentence with commas, dashes, or parenthesis; sometimes or, that is or in other words is used.

Context clue: Restatement / Synonyms

Let’s have an example: (3)The mountain pass was a tortuous road, winding and twisting like a snake around the trees of the mountainside.

What could be the definition of tortuous in this sentence?

“Tortuous” means “winding and twisting.”“Tortuous” means “winding and twisting.”

Context clue: Restatement / Synonyms

Let’s have an example: (4)

Flooded with spotlights – the focus of all attention – the new Miss America began her year-long reign. She was the cynosure of all eyes for the rest of the evening.

What could be the definition of the word cynosure in this sentence?

“Cynosure” means “the focus of all attention.”“Cynosure” means “the focus of all attention.”

Context clue: Restatement / Synonyms

Now, you try!

The young girl was very aloof. She always seemed .

What does the word aloof mean in this sentence?

unsociable and uninterested

Aloof -

Types of Context Clues

3. Contrast / Antonym

An opposite meaning context clue contrasts the meaning of an unfamiliar word with the meaning of a familiar term.

but, however, although, otherwise, unless, instead, on the other hand, while, never, no, or

not may be used to signal the contrast.

Context clue: contrast / antonym

He tried to smile because the mood of the party was not somber, but happy.

You know that somber must mean something that is the opposite of happy. In fact, it means sad or dreary.

You know that somber must mean something that is the opposite of happy. In fact, it means sad or dreary.

David was very outgoing as opposed to his coy older sister.

Hint word

Coy must mean shy!Coy must mean shy!

Let’s have an example: (5, 6)

Context clue: antonyms and contrast

Now, you try!

Joe was reluctant to take the job of captain of the team. He was afraid that the time it would take would hurt his grades. On the other hand, Billy was eager for the chance to be the team captain.

What does the word reluctant mean in this paragraph?

In this sentence the words “on the other hand” and “eager” tell us that Billy feels the opposite of Joe, therefore, reluctant means uncertain or cautious.

In this sentence the words “on the other hand” and “eager” tell us that Billy feels the opposite of Joe, therefore, reluctant means uncertain or cautious.

Types of Context Clues

4. Inference/General Context Clues

The meaning of an unfamiliar word can be inferred from the description of a situation or experience

Context Clues: inference/ general

Dementia almost overcame Lou when she stepped off the train at Rainwater Ridge and felt as crazy as a Betsy bug as she realized how different her new life would be.

Dementia can be defined as being insane because the phrase "as crazy as a Betsy bug" indicates insanity.

Dementia can be defined as being insane because the phrase "as crazy as a Betsy bug" indicates insanity.

Let’s have an example: (7)

Context Clues: inference/ general

Let’s have an example: (8)

She told her friend, “I’m through with blind dates forever. What a dull evening! I was bored every minute. The conversation was absolutely vapid.”

The speaker was telling that she had a dull evening and that she was bored at every minute of the conversation she had with a friend.

The speaker was telling that she had a dull evening and that she was bored at every minute of the conversation she had with a friend.

What could the word vapid means?

The most logical guess would be uninteresting.The most logical guess would be uninteresting.

Context Clues: inference/ general

Now, you try!

The nurse in Wish You Well states that she would "...require a free reign in overseeing the children. These two need discipline, and I intend to provide it."

The idiomatic phrase, "a free reign," can be defined by looking for clues in the second sentence.

The idiomatic phrase, "a free reign," can be defined by looking for clues in the second sentence.

The nurse wants the freedom to discipline the two children her way because she has noticed how undisciplined they already are, and she is determined to provide it all by herself.

The nurse wants the freedom to discipline the two children her way because she has noticed how undisciplined they already are, and she is determined to provide it all by herself.

References:

http://wserver.scc.losrios.edu/~langlit/reading/contextclues/intro1.htm

www.clintweb.net/ctw/Context_Clues.ppt

www.sinclair.edu/.../learning_words_from_context_clues.pdf

www.ucclermont.edu/content/.../Vocabulary_in_Context.ppt

http://www-sjths.stjohns.k12.fl.us/teachers/beckw2/0EAF7E84-0118C716.2/CONTEXT%20CLUESrev8192(3).pdf

http://languageartsreading.dadeschools.net/pdf/ElementaryDocuments/Intermediate/ContextCluesChart.pdf