Context Clues

• When you use other words in the text (its context) to help you determine the meaning of an unknown word

Types of Context Clues (IDEAS)

• I: Inference

• D: Definition

• E: Example

• A: Antonym

• S: Synonym

Inference

• When you can use what the sentence says to make a guess about what the word means

• Example: He was a formidable tennis player, and many of his opponents didn't stand a chance against him.

• If his opponents didn't stand a chance, that means he must be pretty good, so you can infer what formidable means.

Definition

• When the definition of the word is given in the sentence

• Example: He was a formidable tennis player, and his power and strength earned him the attention and respect of his coaches.

• This helps you to define the word.

Example

• When there is an example given that can help you determine the meaning of the word

• Example: As a formidable tennis player, he easily beat every opponent with his superb skill and strength.

Antonym

• When the opposite of the word is given in the sentence/surrounding sentences, allowing you to determine the meaning of the word.

• Example: I am a weak, poor tennis player. I hope with enough practice I can become a formidable opponent on the court.

Synonym

• When a synonym of the word is given in the sentence/surrounding sentences

• He was a formidable tennis player, and his fierce and imposing ways often intimidated his opponents.

Root

• The main basis of a new word

Affixes

an additional element placed at the beginning (prefixes) or end of a root (suffixes), stem, or word, or in the body of a word, to modify (change) its meaning.

Common Roots

• Ambi= both

• Aqua= water

• Aud= to hear

• bene= good

• dict= to say

• fract= to break

• srib/scribe= to write

Common Prefixes

• Pre= before, in front of (prefix, pretax, prequel)

• in/non/un/im= not (inadequate, nonfat, undo, impossible).

• dis= lack of, apart, not (disappear, disconnect)

• mis= wrong (misstep, miscommunicate)

Common Suffixes

• able/ible= able to (understandable, visible)

• ful= full of (graceful, beautiful)

• less= without (meaningless, pointless)

• ment= action/resulting state (resentment, retirement)

• ly= in a specified manner (quickly, carefully)

Using Roots and Affixes

• Take a word such as unsuccessfully

• break it down into roots and affixes

• un-success-ful-ly

• we know that un- means not, -ful means ful, and -ly means in a certain way, so we can figure out that this means not in a way that is full of success.

Using Roots and Affixes

• inaudible

• break it down into roots and affixes

• in-aud-ible

• not-to hear-able

• not able to be heard

Using Roots and Affixes

• ambidextrous

• break it down into roots and affixes

• ambi-dext-(r)ous

• both-right hand-full of

• ability to use both hands skillfully