As crossword stans, we know that crossword puzzles are a excellent way to assignment your vocabulary and hassle-fixing talents. But for those just dipping their toe into the world of crossword puzzles, the grid crosswords clue solver itself may additionally seem daunting. Understanding the crossword puzzle clues is your ticket to fixing them right down to the remaining rectangular. Ahead we’ve put together a cheat sheet for studying and understanding crossword clues.

Pay Attention To Tense

Crossword solutions will usually comply with the identical demanding as the clue. So make sure to take note of whether the clue is in past, gift, or future annoying. Your solutions depend on it.

Here’s an instance from the February 7, 2024, degree of Universal Crossword:

Clue: Intended

Answer: MEANT

Mind Plurals and Singulars

Keeping an eye out for hints at plurality is some other key piece of the puzzle (see what we did there?). Hints like “many,” “several,” or actually adding an S to the clue’s situation are lifeless giveaways.

The February 13, 2024, level of The Modern Crossword demonstrates this well:

Clue: Some short skirts

Answer: MINIS

Take Note of Parts of Speech

Crossword clues regularly challenge gamers via the use of words with more than one meanings or converting a word’s a part of speech. If a crossword clue recommendations at a person, vicinity, or issue, the answer can be a noun. If it tips at an motion phrase, the answer may be a verb.

Check out Universal Crossword’s January 26, 2024, degree for what we suggest:

Clue: Actress Menzel of “Wicked”

Answer: IDINA

And this one from January 24, 2024:

Clue: Does some basic math

Answer: ADDS

What are Question Mark Clues

While query marks indicate a straightforward inquiry for the rest of the world, seasoned puzzlers will let you know crossword clues with query marks often suggest wordplay or a pun. You’ll have to placed your questioning cap on for these clues and expect the surprising—double meanings and smart twists are the call of the sport.

The February 6, 2024, Universal Crossword stage serves up a playful example:

Clue: Hit recreation?

Answer: BATTLESHIP

Understand Clues Ending in “Say”

If your crossword puzzle clue ends in “say,” this generally indicates that the solution belongs to a broader category. Before you pencil in 31-Across, remember that clues that end in “say” aren’t continually one-to-one synonyms—more than one answers may go the definition and interpretations can be large.

We were given a kick out of this clue in the February 1, 2024, Universal Crossword:

Clue: Puff on a joint, say

Answer: SMOKEGRASS

And this one from January 27, 2024, which may also make you LOL:

Clue: Passed Go and collected $400, say

Answer: CHEATED