Context Clues are hints that an author gives to help define a difficult or unusual word.

The clue may appear within the

same sentence as the word to which it refers, or it may follow in a preceding sentence. For instance, when a student is as
“to get the meaning from context, he is encouraged to rely on his natural intelligence and not use the dictionary or
consult a resource person. If there is something in the passage he cannot understand, he should not stop because by
reading on he discovers its meaning. Context Clues-are words within the sentence or paragraph that hint at or give the
meaning of a difficult word
Types of Context Clues
1. Antonym Context Clue-a word is opposite in meaning to the unfamiliar word.
Example: I miss Mr. Fry. He is affable. Our new principal is cranky and unapproachable.
2. Synonym Context Clue (repeat context clue)- a word is similar in meaning to the unfamiliar word.
Example: My friend is affable or friendly and easy to approach.
3. Definition Context Clue-the unfamiliar word is defined in a dictionary form or casual form.
Example: An affable is a person who is pleasantly easy to approach and always friendly.
4. Explanation/ Restatement Context Clue-explains or restates the unfamiliar word.
Example: Because the horse was so fatigued, he collapsed before he finished.
5. Specific Example Context Clue-gives examples of the unfamiliar word.
Example: Laborers like factory workers should find dignity in their work. They are no difficult than the lawyers, the priest,
the doctors, for laborers also contribute to the society.
6.Comparison Context Clue-(when comparing, you are determining how two words are alike)
Example: My brother is enthralled by birds similar to the way I am fascinated by insects.
7.Contrast Context Clue-(when contrasting, you are determining how to words are different)
Example: Fred is always cheerful and outgoing, however Ted is saturnine.
8.Description/ Inference Context Clue-(use your background knowledge, logical guess, and context clues to determine
meaning) To infer is to reach an opinion based on the given facts. It involves making a conclusion as a result of reasoning.
Example: When Joe’s dog passed away; he was filled with grief.

EXPLANATION COMMON SIGNAL EXAMPLE

DEFINITION/ the unfamiliar word is
RESTATEMENT defined in a dictionary
form or casual form
SYNONYM a word is similar in
meaning to the unfamiliar
word
ANTONYM a word is opposite in
meaning to the unfamiliar
word
EXAMPLE/ LIST examples of the
unfamiliar word are given
through what the word or
phrase might be like, not
what they have in
common
CAUSE & EFFECT if this happens... this will
happen
COMPARE & CONTRAST when comparing, you are
determining how to words
are alike
when contrasting, you are
determining how to words
are different
WORDS
are, is, or, that is, also
known as, which is to say,
sometimes called,
meaning, is defines as,
means,
Note: commas,
parentheses and dashes
that set a word or phrase
apart from the rest of the
sentence could also be a
signal
likewise, like, especially,
or, in that, similarly, in
other words, that is, and
Note: commas,
parentheses and dashes
that set a word or phrase
apart from the rest of the
sentence could also be a
signal
different, unlike, though,
opposite, by contrast, but,
some…but others, on the
other hand, not, despite,
although, yet, then again,
whereas
such as, for example,
including, for instance, in
one case
Because, so, therefore,
consequently, since, as a
result, if... then, due to
especially, like, likewise,
also, and, as well as, that
resembling, identical,
similar to, as, in the same
way
unlike, on the other hand, in
contrast to, on the contrary,
however, different from
Prepared by: MA. NELYN C. LUNA
A vegetarian is a person
that does eat, or believe
in eating any food derived
from animals.
His simple glance was a
harbinger of danger. That
is, his eyes were signs
foretelling rough waters
in their relationship.
Now they were confident,
despite their usual
diffidence.
Diffidence = Lacking
confidence
Some animals are
omnivores. Bears, for
instance, eat whatever
meat or plants they can
find.
Because the horse was so
fatigued, he collapsed
before he finished.
Fatigued = tired
My brother is enthralled
by birds similar to the
way that I am fascinated
by insects.