Buzz
For many, tackling a crossword puzzle is a soothing morning ritual, while for others, it becomes a passionate pursuit. To elevate your crossword expertise, implement these effective strategies for achieving success.
Be mindful of the specific day of the week.
Timing is crucial when it comes to mastering crosswords. Newspapers often adjust the style and complexity of their puzzles throughout the week. For instance, Thursday’s edition typically features a unifying theme connecting all the answers. Additionally, the difficulty of the clues increases as the week unfolds, with Saturday’s puzzles being particularly challenging. To avoid frustration, begin with Monday’s puzzle and gradually work your way up to the more demanding ones later in the week.
Punctuation can provide valuable hints.
Always consider punctuation when tackling crossword puzzles. | Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/GettyImagesCrossword clues often follow specific patterns, and identifying these can give you a competitive advantage. Clues ending with a question mark typically involve some form of wordplay. For example, encountering “cabinetmaker?” might initially confuse you, but understanding its double meaning and knowing the answer requires nine letters could guide you to the word president.
Move freely between clues.
You don’t have to begin a crossword puzzle at 1-across. Instead, look for the simplest words to fill in first. Certain clue types are more straightforward than others. Fill-in-the-blank clues, like “The Good, The Bad, and The ___,” are often considered easy by crossword creators. Short words, such as compass directions (NNE, SSW, etc.), are also common and simple to solve. For example, a clue like “Chicago-to-Boston direction” likely refers to one of eight possible compass points.
Grammar is important.
Paying attention to basic grammar rules can significantly improve your crossword-solving abilities. If you’re stuck on a clue, examine its phrasing. A clue in past tense indicates the answer is also in past tense, often ending in -ed. Similarly, plural clues suggest the answer ends with s. While this alone won’t solve the puzzle, it’s a helpful starting point.
Use intersecting words to your advantage.
If a crossword clue stumps you, don’t give up. Solving the words that cross it can provide enough letters to make an informed guess. Additionally, use these crossings to verify your answers. If the intersecting words don’t make sense, it’s a sign you may have made an error earlier.
Errors are a natural part of the process.
Always use a pencil when working on crossword puzzles. | jayk7/GettyImagesCrossword grids are designed to be filled, erased, and refilled as needed. Adjusting your answers as you progress is normal, especially as the solutions become more apparent. This is why most crossword apps include a delete feature. If you’re solving a printed puzzle, remember that using ink instead of pencil won’t earn you any extra points.
Stay consistent with your puzzle source.
The strategies mentioned above work for most well-known crossword puzzles, but understanding the unique style of your favorite source comes with practice. Editors often have signature clue formats or recurring themes. By focusing on one publication early in your crossword journey, you’ll start to notice and anticipate these patterns.
Remember frequently used words.
If you’re completely stuck, consider filling in the blanks with common crossword vocabulary. Short words (three to four letters) rich in vowels are frequently used to connect longer answers. When in doubt, try words like ERA, AREA, or EMU. For proper nouns, SOHO, OHIO, and YOKO ONO are often reliable choices.
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