Using Context CLues
Why We Write Sentences
DON'T FORGET
Our brains are wired to remember stories and images, so make your sentences memorable.
SHOW DON'T TELL
DON'T just tell me, "The man was dejected when he lost his job."
SHOW me that "He spent 2 weeks lying around the house eating junk food because he was so dejected that he lost his job."
HOW TO TEST YOUR SENTENCES:
Try replacing the vocab word with a word, or words, that mean the opposite.
“She tarnished the family name.”
She elevated the family name.
She exalted the family name.
If the sentence still works, you didn’t use enough context clues.
Sample Sentences
Tarnish (verb): make or become less valuable or respected: [ with obj. ] : his regime had not been tarnished by human rights abuses.
BAD SENTENCE:
“She tarnished the family name.”
Explanation:
If a person didn’t know what “tarnished” means, this sentence offers no context to help them figure it out.
There would be nothing wrong with this sentence if this wasn’t a vocabulary assignment. In our vocabulary assignments you need to provide context clues. When it comes time to study these words, you will have perfect sentences (with context clues) that will help you remember the meaning of each word.
GOOD SENTENCE:
“She had an opportunity to elevate the family name, but instead she tarnished it.”
Explanation:
This sentence uses an opposite to provide context. It’s obvious that “tarnished” is the opposite of elevated.
BAD SENTENCE:
“My mother will not condone that.”
Explanation:
In this sentence, you could replace “condone” with ANY word and the sentence still works.
My mother will “love” that.
My mother will “hate” that.
GOOD SENTENCE:
“Watch your mouth! My mother doesn’t condone that kind of language in the house.”
Since this sentence starts with the phrase, “watch your mouth”, it’s clear that the mother doesn’t allow or approve of “that kind of language.”
BAD SENTENCE:
“He was not receptive to my idea.”
Explanation:
In this sentence, you could replace “receptive” with ANY word and the sentence still works.
He was not “excited” about my idea.
He was not “disagreeing” with my idea.
GOOD SENTENCE:
“When he started shaking his head and saying, “no, no, no” I knew he wasn't going to be receptive to my idea.”