background preloader

Cryptic crossword help

Facebook Twitter

Cryptic crosswords for beginners: alternate letters. Sometimes crossword setters are considerate enough to use a device which spells out the letters of the answer, leaving you, the solver, with the relatively simple task of noticing them and then writing them into the grid.

Cryptic crosswords for beginners: alternate letters

So it is with alternate-letter clues. There are no anagrams to scramble your brain – you just take every other letter from part of the clue. Of course, you first have to spot that you're dealing with that kind of clue – which is where our helpful guide comes in. Before you read on, a quick reminder: cryptic clues typically offer two ways to find the answer, in either order: a definition (indicated in bold in the examples that follow) and some wordplay (look out for italics).

And do remember when looking at the examples below that in a genuine puzzle environment, you'd probably have some letters available from other clues, making your job even more straightforward. How does it work? One end of the clue gives you a definition of the answer. Some examples So how to spot them? How to Solve Cryptic Crosswords.

Double Meaning Here there are 2 (or more) clues to the answer, perhaps with an = indicator in between.

How to Solve Cryptic Crosswords

For example: Socialist rose (3) Is red Furious, mark voted wrong (5) Is cross, with each of the 4 words meaning ‘cross’ Show you are cross, yet approve (5) Is stamp (stamp a foot or stamp a document) Late but great (11) Is outstanding Words that could indicate = include with, and, also, meets, equals, etc. Hidden words A hidden word clue is again comprised of 3 parts: A clue to the answer A hidden word indicatorA word or words containing the answer For example: City in Czechoslovakia (4) Here, the clue is City, in indicates a hidden word and Czechoslovakia, if you look carefully contains the word Oslo, which is the answer. Words that indicate a hidden word include: A little of, a portion of, apparent, appears, carried by, content, emerges from, out of, gripped by, herein, holding, in, nursing, portion of, showing, etc. Crossword Equations B inside C = A A = B backwards. How to Solve Cryptic Crosswords » Types of Clues.

Understanding the different types of word-play used in cryptic crosswords is crucial to your success.

How to Solve Cryptic Crosswords » Types of Clues

Many great quality resources are available that explain the different types of cryptic crossword clues and I suggest you read as many as you can! (Wikipedia is a good place read next) The more examples of word-play you encounter, the easier it will be to recognise in clues. The explanations and examples below are unique to this page. Cryptic Crossword Tutorial - Sample Cryptic Definition Clues.