How do I use context clues?

You can figure out the meaning words by using the context of what you are reading to help or guess. Writers leave context clues to help you discover the meaning of words or phrases. Writers often leave context clues in the following areas:

between commas

Rosco, my dog, is seven years old.

between brackets

Parlee Beach (my favourite spot) was crowded yesterday.

in definitions

Sandra specializes in making ewer. Ewer refers to wide-mouthed pitchers or vases.

in examples

The numbers 1, 3, 5, and 7 are examples of prime numbers.

in footnotes marked by asterisks (*) or numbers (¹²)

in comparisons beginning with “like” or “as”

Learning to use the other basic reading skills will also help you to see the “Big Picture”, or main idea, of what you read.