English 1

Context Clues

​English

by Esberto D.

​What is Context Clue?

​Context clues are hints found within a sentence, paragraph, or passage that a reader can use to understand the meanings of new or unfamiliar words. A reader should rely on context clues when an obvious clue to meaning is provided, or when only a general sense of the meaning is needed for the reader's purposes.

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Using context means to figure out what words mean by how they are used in the sentence or paragraph where they appear. There are several different context clues you can use to help you figure out unfamiliar words.

​The Five Types of Context Clues are:

1. ​ Definition/Explanation Clues​

2. Contrast/Antonym Clues​

3. Inference/General Context Clues

4. ​Punctuation​

5. Restatement/Synonym Clues. 

​Contrast/Antonym Clues

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Antonyms are words with opposite meanings. An opposite meaning context clue contrasts the meaning of an unfamiliar word with the meaning of a familiar term. Words like “although,” “however,” and “but” may signal contrast clues

​Inference/General Context Clue

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Relationships, which are not directly apparent, are inferred or implied. The reader must look for clues within, before, and after the sentence in which the word is used.

​Punctuation

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Punctuation clues might include commas, dashes, or parentheses. There are several different context clues you can use to help you figure out unfamiliar words. Authors often use punctuation clues to help the reader.

Synonym/Restatement Clues

​The reader may discover the meaning of an unknown word because it repeats an idea expressed in familiar words nearby. Synonyms are words with the same meaning.