Using Context Clues
> When a reader encounters new words in a printed material, he usually makes use of the dictionary. However, there are instances when one needs not run to the dictionary for help if only he is aware that there can be other aids like using structural analysis as discussed earlier. There is another aid in discovering meanings of unknown words. This is the use of context clues. These clues may be the words, phrases, or sentences surrounding the unknown word.
> Context clues include semantic, syntactic and presentation clues.
Semantic clues > are clues derived from the meaning of words co-occurring with the unknown word. There are various kinds of semantic clues:
1. Definition clue
A word may be directly defined in the context.
Example:
The register is the book in which the names of the people are kept. (Unknown word is register)
2. The appositive clue
An appositive may offer a synonym or description of the word.
Example:
Euthanasia, mercy-killing in plain language, is a very controversial issue.
3. Comparison or contrast clue
A comparison or contrast may give away the word's meaning.
Example:
a. She is not lazy to study. On the contrary, she is very diligent. (Unknown word is diligent).
b. Like her surprised Mother, Mila was also taken aback by the news. (Unknown word is aback).
4. Explanation clue
Succeeding sentences may provide explanations that may clarify the meaning of an unknown word in a previous sentence.
Example:
Lucy's unusual timidity bothered her parents. They wondered why she would not even want to talk to any visitor. She would rather lock herself to her room. In school, her teachers were complaining too, why Lucy was too shy or withdrawn to join any class activity. (Unknown word is timidity).
Syntactic clue > are contained in the grammar of our language. Syntactic clues will help the reader discover that the word is a noun, an action word, etc.
The following is a nonsense sentence but it will illustrate how syntactic clues may be used.
Ogle ogled oggledly.
In the above example, the reader may deduce that Ogle is a noun and is the subject because of the position: ogled is a verb because of the marker ed, and oggledly, an adverb because of the -ly, ending.
Semantic and syntactic clues are used together to unlock meaning of unknown words.
Presentation clue > refers to the other aids that the author may use to make himself clear to the reader. These clues may include:
- Use of footnotes.
- Use of types of prints, e.g. boldface, italics.
- use of visual, e.g. diagrams, tables, graphs, pictures.
- Organizational devices, e.g. indention, use of headings and sub-headings etc.
Exercise 1
Determine the meaning of each underlined word by using context clues. Underline your answers.
1. The witness gave a wrong statement. The lawyer refuted it.
a. disapproved b. changed c. erased
2. Attempts to solve the problems were sporadic, not well planned.
a. excellent b. spontaneous c. scattered
3. let us be inquisitive. Let us ask question why things are done this way or that way.
a. accurate b. smart c. questioning
4. I told you about my plan already; but I will reiterate it now.
a. repeat b. ask c. explain
5. You tell his innate characteristics, not the acquire ones:
a. bad b. inborn c. good
Exercise 2
Determine the meaning of the underlined word in each sentence. write your answers.
1. I play a dual role in the family. I am both father and mother to my sisters.
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2. The manager revoke privileges when employees become less efficient.
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3. You may use short quotations but not long excerpts.
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4. I like to work with sincere people. I abhor hypocrites.
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5. His feigned illness made the professor excuse his absences.
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