In this edition of NYT Connections, the puzzle designer has created four themes, each centered around a core clue. To help other players better understand the puzzle and quickly find the answers, I will guide you step by step from the clue → group word → specific words. Here’s the detailed solving guide.
1. Clue: EXPENDITURE
Group Word: COST
Core Idea: Find words related to spending money or the amount required to purchase something
- Clue Analysis: The clue "EXPENDITURE" points to words related to spending money or the amount required to purchase something.
- Group Word Association: The group word "COST" further emphasizes the theme of financial expenditure.
- Specific Words:
- CHARGE: A price asked for goods or services.
- COST: The amount required to purchase something.
- PRICE: The amount of money expected, required, or given for something.
- RATE: A measure, quantity, or frequency, typically one measured against another.
- Group Answer: CHARGE, COST, PRICE, RATE
Guiding Players:
- See the clue "EXPENDITURE" and think of words related to spending money or purchase amounts.
- Based on the group word "COST," confirm the theme is about "financial expenditure."
- Finally, find the specific words: CHARGE, COST, PRICE, RATE.
2. Clue: ONETIME
Group Word: PAST
Core Idea: Find words that describe something that occurred or existed in the past
- Clue Analysis: The clue "ONETIME" points to words that describe something that occurred or existed in the past.
- Group Word Association: The group word "PAST" clarifies the context of historical or previous events.
- Specific Words:
- FORMER: Having previously been a particular thing.
- LATE: No longer alive.
- PAST: Gone by in time and no longer existing.
- PRIOR: Existing or coming before in time, order, or importance.
- Group Answer: FORMER, LATE, PAST, PRIOR
Guiding Players:
- See the clue "ONETIME" and think of words that describe past events or states.
- Based on the group word "PAST," confirm the theme is about "historical or previous events."
- Finally, find the specific words: FORMER, LATE, PAST, PRIOR.
3. Clue: MADE WITH HORIZONTAL LINES
Group Word: SYMBOLS
Core Idea: Find symbols or punctuation marks that consist of horizontal lines
- Clue Analysis: The clue "MADE WITH HORIZONTAL LINES" points to symbols or punctuation marks that consist of horizontal lines.
- Group Word Association: The group word "SYMBOLS" clarifies the context of symbolic representations.
- Specific Words:
- DASH: A horizontal line used in writing or printing.
- HYPHEN: A punctuation mark used to join words or separate syllables.
- MINUS: A mathematical symbol representing subtraction.
- UNDERSCORE: A horizontal line drawn below a piece of text.
- Group Answer: DASH, HYPHEN, MINUS, UNDERSCORE
Guiding Players:
- See the clue "MADE WITH HORIZONTAL LINES" and think of symbols or punctuation marks with horizontal lines.
- Based on the group word "SYMBOLS," confirm the theme is about "symbols with horizontal lines."
- Finally, find the specific words: DASH, HYPHEN, MINUS, UNDERSCORE.
4. Clue: SIMPSON FAMILY MEMBERS WITH FIRST LETTER CHANGED
Group Word: MODIFIED
Core Idea: Find names of Simpson family members with their first letters changed to form new words
- Clue Analysis: The clue "SIMPSON FAMILY MEMBERS WITH FIRST LETTER CHANGED" points to names of Simpson family members with their first letters changed to form new words.
- Group Word Association: The group word "MODIFIED" clarifies the context of altered names.
- Specific Words:
- BAGGIE: Maggie → Baggie.
- BARGE: Marge → Barge.
- COMER: Homer → Comer.
- PISA: Lisa → Pisa.
- Group Answer: BAGGIE, BARGE, COMER, PISA
Guiding Players:
- See the clue "SIMPSON FAMILY MEMBERS WITH FIRST LETTER CHANGED" and think of modified names of Simpson family members.
- Based on the group word "MODIFIED," confirm the theme is about "altered Simpson family names."
- Finally, find the specific words: BAGGIE, BARGE, COMER, PISA.
Summary and Solving Tips
- Start with the Clue: The clue is the key to solving the puzzle. Understand its meaning and then associate it with the group word.
- Group Word Defines the Theme: The group word narrows down the scope of the clue, helping you find the specific words more accurately.
- Verify Specific Words: Based on the clue and group word, identify the specific words and ensure they fit the theme.
- Practice and Accumulate Knowledge: Regular practice and expanding your vocabulary will improve your speed and accuracy in solving NYT Connections.
This guide is designed to help players navigate the puzzle by systematically moving from the clue to the group word and finally to the specific words. Happy solving!