Crossword Tips: Strategies and Tricks to Solve Faster and Smarter
Start with Clues You’re Confident About
A fundamental strategy to target when anyone starts a crossword is to go through the clues and then start with the ones the solver is confident about. That worked during exams and it works just as efficiently in a crossword puzzle as it allows the player to build momentum while establishing a solid foundation. It means by focusing on something familiar, the solver can create a point to work from and then slowly tackle the remainder of the puzzle from there.
This is particularly useful for newcomers to the crossword game as it gives them a tangible sense of progress as the clues get tougher and challenges the mind more. Furthermore, filling in the clues the player knows can help make identifying letter patterns easier for the trickier clues.
Prioritize Fill-in-the-Blank Clues
Fill-in-the-blank clues are arguably the easiest clues to solve in a crossword puzzle unless the constructor has bigger ideas for the puzzle which makes them slightly more complicated. But more often than not, these clues offer solvers a definite answer as they tend to rely on common knowledge or well-known phrases.
Thus, much like the above point, by solving these early on, players will create anchor points to branch off from and tackle the remainder of the puzzle. An example of a Fill-in-the-Blank clue is "Winnie-the-___" which immediately leads to the answer "POOH".
Spot and Solve Anagram Clues
Spotting anagram clues is an excellent skill for any crossword solver to build and improve, and that all starts by spotting the indicator words. Most anagram clues tend to have words that indicate the clue is an anagram with examples like “confused”, “mixed up”, “rearranged” and more. From there, players need to isolate the letters and then start rearranging them to create a new word or phrase.
Writing them in a circle often helps. Newcomers can also use an anagram solver for the tougher options as it can be a helping hand to those starting out. An example of an anagram clue is "Confused in game or puzzle (6)" which could be "ENIGMA".
Match the Clue’s Tense, Number, and Part of Speech to the Answer
Another crucial crossword-solving skill a player should have in their arsenal is to match the clue’s tense, number, and part of speech to the answer. That’s because the clue’s grammar will always be the same as the word, whether that’s the tense, plurals, or more. An example is if the clue is written in the past tense like "Danced the night away," then the answer is going to be a past-tense verb with "TANGOED" a potential choice.
Likewise, plural clues point towards plural answers; "Nocturnal flyers" could be "BATS" or “OWLS” and thus players need to pay close attention. Not only that, parts of speech follow the same rule as an adverb clue like “Speedily” will be something similar to “FAST”.
The principle extends to several other grammatical elements in the English language including superlative forms. An example of that is "More ancient" will be something like "OLDER," while "Most ancient" points to "OLDEST".
A "?" at the End Signals Wordplay or Puns
When it comes to tell-tale signs in a crossword, look no further than a “?” at the end of a clue as it signals that a pun or wordplay is involved in the clue. This forces solvers to think outside the box and beyond the interpretation they get off the first look. It often indicates that the constructor is using a play on words, adding a clever twist, and using hidden words or more to trick players.
Examples are "Scoundrel taking afternoon nap?" is potentially "CADALIER" (cad + a lie in) or "Loud insect?" could clue in "BEEP" (playing on "bee"). The question mark is basically the sign of a challenge from the constructor to the player, inviting them to take part in a battle of brains.
Decode “Partner of [word]” Clues
“Partner of [word]” clues often refer to famous duos, frequently paired concepts, or idiomatic expressions. They rely on the solver’s reservoir of common knowledge and cultural references but that doesn’t make things any easier. An example is "Partner of salt" which suggests "PEPPER".
In the end, improving one’s knowledge of common expressions will help as players need to consider various contexts when it comes to “Partner of [word]” clues. These could be business terms, opposites, famous couples, food pairings, and more. More examples are "Partner of yin" which clues in “YANG”, and "Partner of thick” which leads to “THIN”.
Build Your Crosswordese Vocabulary
Building one’s Crosswordese vocabulary is easier said than done and only happens with patience and a lot of practice with crosswords. That’s because Crosswordese refers to words that regularly appear in crossword puzzles but, while a part of the English language, rarely appear in daily language. But when it comes to crosswords, these words have letter combinations that make them key to constructing puzzles.
Examples include “ETUI”, “ADIT”, ESNE”, “OLEO”, “APSE” and more which only makes things even more complicated for solvers. However, daily practice, paying close attention, and then looking up a few of these words will lead to familiarizing them, which leads to improved solving speed and accuracy. Thus players need to take mental note when they come across these words as more often than not, they will see them in other puzzles.
Use Crossing Clues to Verify Your Answer
This technique is crucial for any crossword solver as it helps verify their guess based on the intersecting word. That’s because the technique involves checking the intersecting words in order to make sure that the new guess is accurate and fits in the given gap. An example is if "CAT" is your guess for "Black Halloween animal," but the crossing clue "Honest ___ (presidential moniker)" requires "ABE," then “CAT” isn’t the right answer.
This method helps newcomers and experienced heads spot mistakes, helps solve unsure answers, and even helps deal with ambiguous clues. Thus by focusing on one corner or section, players can often break through even the toughest clues because the intersecting words point towards the right solution.
Don’t Hesitate to Search for Answers Online
This especially applies to newcomers but never hesitate to search for an answer online when solving crosswords especially when it comes to the more challenging clues. This is because the mere strategy of verifying uncertain answers to clues will help the player learn new words and become more efficient in the long run. This is where online resources like crossword dictionaries, and online solvers like Only Word Games can help.
Many players often think that using such resources diminishes their efforts, their solving skills, and even the effort the constructor has put into the puzzle but it’s the opposite. Instead, many experienced heads use these resources to expand their database in order to make themselves better. But at the same time, players need to find the right balance and should consider exhausting every mental opportunity they have before using the tools.
Take a Break and Return Later
Taking a breather always helps players when it comes to any puzzle or word game, and that’s especially the case for crosswords. It’s a valuable strategy as it allows the solver to give their mind a break, refresh themselves, and then return with a new perspective. This allows their brain to work on the problem within their subconscious which leads to lightbulb situations when they return to the puzzle.
Even short breaks can help reignite that spark and as an added bonus, they prevent a player from getting frustrated at their lack of progress and keep things fresh for their brain.
