How can context clues help?

Writers often leave clues for readers to find. These clues help readers understand the meaning of new words or concepts. Using these clues will give you a general idea about the meaning of new words. Looking in the dictionary is still the best way to discover the exact meaning and use of a word.

Writers will leave clues in specific parts of sentences and paragraphs. Look for context clues in the following places:

1. Immediately after a new word
   
   
   Writers often rename a person, a thing, or an idea. This information is found between commas. Read these examples.
   
   The municipal government, local town council, has a different role than the provincial government.
   
   
2. Before or after a new word
   
   Phrases or clauses contain extra information. They are separated from the main part of a sentence by punctuation.
   
   I prefer to grow perennial plants, plants which grow year after year.
   
   
3. In the following sentence
   
   Writers may give a definition for a new wording in a following sentence. Look at the example.
   
   The Transcript Building is well known to many Monctonians. The historic building once housed the staff of the Transcript newspaper.