Use context as a clue to the meanings of foreign expressions

Key Notes:

What are Context Clues?

Context clues are hints found within a sentence, paragraph, or passage that a reader can use to understand the meaning of new or unfamiliar words, phrases, or even foreign expressions. They are like little detectives, helping you solve the mystery of unknown vocabulary!

Why Use Context Clues?

Using context clues is a valuable skill for several reasons:

• Improved Comprehension: Context clues allow you to understand the meaning of a text without constantly stopping to look up every unfamiliar word. This leads to smoother and more enjoyable reading.
• Vocabulary Growth: By actively using context clues, you train your brain to recognize patterns and make connections between words, which can significantly improve your vocabulary.
• Independence: You become a more independent reader, capable of tackling complex texts with confidence.
• Understanding Foreign Expressions: Context clues can be especially useful when encountering foreign words or phrases, as they provide hints based on the surrounding text.

Types of Context Clues

There are several common types of context clues:

• Definition/Explanation: The meaning of the unfamiliar word or phrase is directly stated in the sentence or nearby sentences.
• Example: Examples are given to illustrate the meaning of the word or phrase.
• Synonym: A word with a similar meaning is used in the sentence.
• Antonym: A word with the opposite meaning is used in the sentence.
• Inference: The meaning is not directly stated but can be inferred from the surrounding information.

Example 1: Definition The chef prepared a delicious hors d’oeuvre, which is a small, savory dish served as an appetizer before the main course. Here, the definition of hors d’oeuvre is given directly.

Example 2: Example The garden was filled with joie de vivre; children laughed as they chased butterflies, the sun shone brightly, and a general atmosphere of happiness permeated the air. Here, the examples (laughter, sunshine, happiness) suggest that joie de vivre means joy of living.

Example 3: Synonym The artist, known for his savoir-faire, or sophisticated knowledge, impressed the critics with his innovative techniques. Here, “sophisticated knowledge” is a synonym for savoir-faire.

Example 4: Antonym Unlike his boisterous brother, Mark possessed a quiet Weltschmerz; he was not filled with joy, but with a deep sense of sorrow for the state of the world. Here, the contrast with “joy” suggests that Weltschmerz is related to sorrow.

Practical Tips for Using Context Clues

Follow these steps to effectively use context clues:

1. Read the Entire Sentence: Don’t just focus on the unfamiliar word or phrase. Read the whole sentence carefully to get a sense of the overall meaning.
2. Look for Signal Words: Pay attention to words like such as, for example, which means, in other words, but, however, unlike. These words often introduce definitions, examples, synonyms, or antonyms.
3. Consider the Tone: Is the tone of the passage positive, negative, or neutral? This can help you infer the general meaning of the unfamiliar word or phrase.
4. Think About the Subject: What is the passage about? Knowledge of the subject matter can provide clues to the meaning of unfamiliar words.
5. Make a Guess: Based on the context clues, make an educated guess about the meaning of the word or phrase.
6. Confirm Your Guess: After making a guess, check a dictionary or online resource to confirm your understanding. However, always consider the context in which the word or phrase was used.

Remember, becoming proficient at using context clues takes practice. The more you read and actively engage with the text, the better you’ll become at decoding unfamiliar words and phrases, including foreign expressions. Happy reading!

Next Steps

Practice using context clues in your reading assignments. Try to identify different types of context clues and see how they help you understand the meaning of unfamiliar words and phrases. Keep a vocabulary journal to record new words and their meanings, along with the context clues that helped you figure them out.

let’s practice!