This document discusses context clues, which are hints found within a sentence, paragraph, or passage that help a reader understand the meaning of unfamiliar words. It identifies 9 different types of context clues, including definition, synonym, antonym, comparison, example, explanation, cause-effect, inference, and list of series of clues. Mastering the use of context clues is an important way to build vocabulary independently without relying on a dictionary. The meaning of words can often be deduced from how they are used in context.

4. What are…?
CONTEXT CLUES
• Words that appear in sentences to help understand the
meaning of difficult words.
• Hints found within a sentence, paragraph, or passage
that a reader can use to understand the meaning of
new or unfamiliar words.

5. CONTEXT CLUES
Which word has the same meaning with the underlined
word?
Sunlight can’t shine through opaque objects like brick
walls and wooden doors.
a. Thin b. transparent c. clear d. thick

6. Different Types of Context Clues
1. Definition
The unfamiliar word is defined in a
sentence.
Example:
Atreasurehunter isapersonwhosearches fortreasures fromsunken
shipsandancient tombstoobtainvaluablerelicsandartifacts.
(definition: apersonwhosearches fortreasures)

7. Different Types of Context Clues
2. Synonym
A similar word is placed in the same
sentence to know the meaning of the unfamiliar
word.
Example:
ItiscommonforFilipinos tofeelcompassion orpityforthe
sufferingoftheirfellowmen.
(synonym: pity)

8. Different Types of Context Clues
3. Antonym
An opposite word is placed in the same
sentence.
Example:
Amongthesiblingsofthinbodystructure,Isabelisthe
onlywhoisportly.
(antonym: thin)

9. Different Types of Context Clues
4. Comparison
A similar word with the same meaning of the
unfamiliar word is placed with an object to be
compared.
Example:
Thestench ofthegarbage was likethesmellofarottenfish.
(comparison:rottenfish)

10. Different Types of Context Clues
5. Example
Samples are provided in the sentence to
understand the meaning of the unfamiliar word.
Example:
Inancienttimes,someofourforefathersbelievedin amulets,such
aspearlofthecrocodile,pearloftheax,bulletnecklaceandbagof
herbstoprotectthemfromharm
(example: pearlofthecrocodile, pearloftheax,bulletnecklace, bagofherbs)

11. Different Types of Context Clues
6. Explanation
A description is given to understand the
meaning of the unfamiliar word
Example:
Mathewhadfewinfractionsofthehouserulesthatheshouldhave
doneaspartofhisresponsibilities.
(example: houserulesthatheshouldhavedone

12. Different Types of Context Clues
7. Cause -Effect
The meaning of the difficult word depends
on the cause-effect relationship of other words
as expressed in the sentence
Example:
Sinceonlyafewfollowedthewearingoffacemask,itwasmade
mandatorybythegovernment.
(cause:onlyafewfollowed thewearingoffacemask

13. Different Types of Context Clues
8. List of Series of Clues
to understand the meaning of the unknown
word, it is included in a series of words given
in a sentence.
Example:
Aftertheprogram,the rubbishleftweresouvenirprograms,flyers,
leaflets,plasticbottles,andfoodwrappings.
List:souvenirprograms,flyers,leaflets,plasticbottles,andfood
wrappings.

14. Different Types of Context Clues
9. Inference
To understand the meaning of the unknown
word, one has to make a guess based on the
description given in the sentence.
Example:
Whenoneshowsbelligerence, harshwords,disruptiveactions,and
offensivebehaviorscanbeobserved.
(descriptive: harshwords,disruptiveaction,offensivebehavior

15. Synonym
s
Antonym
s
Definitio
n
Comparis
on
Example
Explanati
on
Cause -
Effect
Inference
List of
Series of
Clues

16. 1. Vicissitudes, such as circumstances,
development, or journeys in life, can change a
person forever.
Type: Example
a. Families b. life experiences c. vacations

17. 2. Throngs of people shopped at the mall the week
before Christmas.
Type: Explanation
a. Little number b. few c. crowds

18. 1. When the light brightens, the pupils of the eyes
contract; however, when it grows darker, they
dilate.
Type: Antonym
a. expand b. shrink c. disappear

20. Learning the meaning of a word through its
use in a sentence or paragraph is the most
practical way to build vocabulary, since a
dictionary is not always available when a
reader encounters an unknown word.
We must be aware that many words have
several possible meanings and only being
sensitive to the circumstances in which a
word is used can the reader decide upon an
appropriate definition to fit the context.