Solving a crossword puzzle can be a lot of fun, but it’s often tricky to find the answers if you don’t know where to look. Luckily, there are many different sources of crossword answers online and many tips that can help you find the clues to solve your favorite puzzles faster and with less frustration. Whether you just want to learn how to solve crosswords or you’re looking to win your local newspaper’s crossword contest, this post will help you answer any question about solving any crossword puzzle in no time at all.
How to read the clue
Follow these simple steps, which I call the five Ws of solving a crosspoint puzzle.
- Read the clue from left to right without skipping any words or numbers.
- Think about what you know about the answer word, phrase, or sentence as you read it. For example, if the word was golf and you know that it is a sport but not much else, then say golf is a sport. If you know that it’s an outdoor activity with clubs but don’t know anything else, then say golf is an outdoor activity with clubs. Say whatever comes into your head as you read through it–you’re just brainstorming at this point so no one will see your ideas!
How to make your life easier by using tools
If you’re a cross-worder, the best way to make your life easier is by using tools. There are lots of tools out there that will help you find the answers, but not all of them are created equally. The first thing you should do before trying any new tool is read its reviews. Reviews can be found on sites like Amazon or Yelp and give you an idea of how well it works from people who actually use it. If a tool has consistently good reviews, then it’s worth a try. In addition to reading reviews, another key consideration when picking out a new crossword solving tool is whether or not it allows you to check off completed squares as you go. The only downside with this feature is that it may slow down your progress because you have to keep referring back to the list of clues when completing each square. That being said, most serious puzzle solvers prefer this option because they feel it gives them more control over their game.
Another useful feature for finding answers in a jiffy is something called gluing. Gluing means solving one clue at a time until the answer becomes clear and then filling in those letters in all the boxes where they appear in other clues as well so that everything lines up perfectly.
How to be faster at solving puzzles
You may not be able to solve a crossword puzzle in one sitting, but you can definitely be faster at solving them. There are a few tricks you can use that will help you work through the puzzles more quickly.
1) Try using only the clues that are given in the clue list on the left side of the puzzle grid, as opposed to using all of them. This will help narrow down your search space and make it easier for you to find answers.
2) Use a pencil or pen that has a light color such as yellow or pink so that any marks made by your eraser will show up easily on the paper.
Miscellaneous methods
People who have difficulty solving puzzles like crosswords will often find it helpful to take a break from the puzzle, then come back to it later. One way to do this is by writing down everything they know about the puzzle so far, then coming back and reviewing what they’ve written.
Some people find that reading over the clues in a different order helps them solve puzzles more easily. Another strategy is to make an educated guess based on what you know about the puzzle at that point. Sometimes that’s all it takes for other information to emerge. It can also help to look up words you don’t know or draw a picture of a shape or pattern that comes up again and again. No matter which technique you try, remember that there are no wrong answers when solving a crossword answers!
Conclusion
Mentally breaking the puzzle into sections is the first step in solving any crossword. Looking for clues with common letters, like e or a, are also a good way to narrow down your search. If you have a list of words, look for those that would fit and eliminate those that wouldn’t. Finally, when you’re stuck, try going back over the puzzle and see if there’s any obvious mistake that you’ve missed. It could be something as simple as an extra letter or missing punctuation mark. The most important thing is to keep trying! With these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to enjoy solving puzzles even more!
Also Read: How To Write A Risk Log Effectively.
