Context Clues:

-hints that authors give in a sentence to help readers understand a difficult or unusual vocabulary word.

Types of Context Clues to use when writing Vocabulary Sentences:

Antonym (contrast)- often signaled by words like unlike or as opposed to

“Unlike John’s room, which was pristine, Sarah’s room was very messy.”

“Mary is quite lithe, as opposed to her sister who is usually clumsy and awkward.”

Synonym (restatement)- use other words in the sentence that have similar meanings

“The slender woman was so thin that her clothes were too big for her.”

Inference (hints)- word meanings are not directly described but are hinted at

“Walt’s pugnacious behavior made his opponent back down.”