ELC501 (2) Context Clues Notes - ODL

Using Context
Clues to guess
meaning
of unfamiliar
words
Learning outcomes:
You will be able to:
1) know the definition of what context clues are
2) know the SIX TYPES of context clues
3) understand how to use the SIX TYPES of

context clues to guess meaning of unknown
words
• One of the most common problems faced by a reader is
the inability to understand certain words and
expressions.
• The best way to derive the meaning of an unfamiliar

word in a sentence is to look at the words or sentences
surrounding it.
• These words or sentences provide hints or clues to help

you figure out the meaning of the unfamiliar word.
• The clues obtained in this way are called
contextual clues.
• Contextual clues a.k.a 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.
The advantages of being able to recognise and use
contextual clues to derive meaning include:
1. Immediate comprehension
- Using contextual clues will save you looking up words
frequently in the dictionary.
2. Uninterrupted focus on the reading material

- In addition, it will not disturb your reading concentration
and trend of thought.
So, to figure out the meaning of a
new/unknown word always :
 read the sentence that the word is in.
 read the sentence right before.
 read the sentence right after.
The following slides will tell you the SIX types of

context clues which the lesson will focus on.
1) Definition Clues
 Sometimes a word's or phrase's meaning is
explained through explanation in the form of a
definition.
 Clue words to look for:
 that is  in other words

 which is  or
 also known as
Example A:
“The course includes demography, which is
the study of human populations.”
• The phrase ‘which is’ functions as a clue to

tell you that an explanation (in the form of a
definition) will be given.
Example B:
“Etymology, which means the study of the
origin of words, is important in vocabulary
studies”
• The phrase ‘which means’ acts as a clue to

tell you that the explanation of the word
‘Etymology’ (in the form of a definition) will
be given.
2) Example Clues
• The meaning of the unfamiliar word is

explained through some familiar examples.
• Clue words to look for:

for example such as
for instance like
including
Example A:
“Piscatorial creatures, such as flounder,
salmon, and trout, live in the coldest parts of
the ocean.”
• The phrase ‘such as’ in the above

sentence indicate some examples of
piscatorial creatures like the flounder (a
type of fish), salmon and trout.
• Thus, “Piscatorial” refers to fish.

Example B:
“Miscreants of all kinds, including thieves,
vandals, and pickpockets roamed the streets of
Victorian England.”
• The word ‘including’ in the above sentence

show examples of miscreants will be given
which are thieves, vandals and pickpockets.
• Thus, you can guess ‘miscreants’ in the

sentence refers to criminals.
3) Synonym Clues
• Synonyms are words with the same meaning.
• You may discover the meaning of an unknown
word because it repeats an idea expressed in
familiar words nearby.
also too similar
and same resembling

Example A:
“The young girl was very aloof. Similarly, her
brother always seemed unsociable,
unapproachable, and uninterested”
• ‘Aloof’ in the above sentence means

unfriendly, unapproachable.
Example B:
“The mountain pass was a tortuous road, winding
and twisting like a snake around the trees of the
mountainside.”
• With the help of the clues “winding and

twisting”, you can guess that a tortuous road is a
road that can cause pain or suffering when
travelled on.
• Thus, the word ‘tortuous’ means ‘tormenting’,

‘distressing’, or/and ‘harrowing’.
4) Antonym Clues
• Antonyms are words with opposite meanings.
• Sometimes the text will have the opposite of the
word.
but however although
nevertheless despite unless
in contrast to/with On the other hand

Example A:
“The trees were visible through the rain, but the mountains
were obscured.”
• With the help of the clue word ‘but’, we can guess that the
word ‘obscured’ is the antonym for the word ‘visible’.
• Some antonyms for the word ‘visible’ are: unclear, unseen,

concealed, invisible, hidden and so on.
• In this context however, it is illogical to say that a mountain

can become invisible (unless it has magical powers).
• Therefore, in this sentence, obscured can mean ‘unclear’,

‘unseen’, ‘hidden’ or ‘concealed’.
Example B:
“Ducks can be ferocious, despite their reputation as gentle
creatures.”
• The word ‘despite’, can help you guess that the word
‘gentle’ is the antonym of the word ‘ferocious’.
• Some antonyms for the word ‘gentle’ are: cruel, mean,
violent, brutal, and so on.
• In this context, it is not that suitable to describe ducks as
cruel.
• So, the word ‘ferocious’ as used in this sentence/context
can mean ‘brutal’, ‘violent’, ‘aggressive’ and ‘vicious’.
5) Punctuation Clues
• Sometimes you may see punctuation marks that
signal the meaning of a word.
Punctuation marks e.g.: parenthesis (), hyphen(-),
slash (/)
Examples:
• In the story, Tom's father was a haberdasher-men’s

shop keeper.
• Many places experience blizzards/snowstorms during

the winter.
6) Cause and Effect Clues
• The unfamiliar word is explained as part of a
cause and effect relationship.
as a result therefore
because thus
since consequently
Example:
Paris Hilton felt the stranger was being

intrusive, since he asked too many
personal questions.
Since the stranger asked too many personal questions

(cause), intrusive in this sentence could mean invasive or
being busy body in a disturbing way/nosy (effect).
• The above strategies for coping with unfamiliar
words can help you read more smoothly and thus,
motivate you to read.
• The more you read, the more you learn, and your
language proficiency as well as your general
knowledge will improve.
• This will make it easier for you to understand new

reading material.
Yay!
You’ve made it to the end of this lesson!
Do contact your lecturer if you have any

uncertainties 

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Using Context

3) understand how to use the SIX TYPES of

• The best way to derive the meaning of an unfamiliar

• These words or sentences provide hints or clues to help

• Contextual clues a.k.a context clues are hints

2. Uninterrupted focus on the reading material

The following slides will tell you the SIX types of

 Clue words to look for:

 that is  in other words

• The phrase ‘which is’ functions as a clue to

• The phrase ‘which means’ acts as a clue to

• The meaning of the unfamiliar word is

• Clue words to look for:

• The phrase ‘such as’ in the above

• Thus, “Piscatorial” refers to fish.

• The word ‘including’ in the above sentence

• Thus, you can guess ‘miscreants’ in the

and same resembling

• ‘Aloof’ in the above sentence means

• With the help of the clues “winding and

• Thus, the word ‘tortuous’ means ‘tormenting’,

but however although

nevertheless despite unless

in contrast to/with On the other hand

• Some antonyms for the word ‘visible’ are: unclear, unseen,

• In this context however, it is illogical to say that a mountain

• Therefore, in this sentence, obscured can mean ‘unclear’,

• In the story, Tom's father was a haberdasher-men’s

• Many places experience blizzards/snowstorms during

• Clue words to look for:

Paris Hilton felt the stranger was being

Since the stranger asked too many personal questions

• This will make it easier for you to understand new

Do contact your lecturer if you have any

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