Beyond the indicators themselves, there are all sorts of other tricks, conventions, and work-arounds that I’ve found useful in constructing cryptic clues.
If you have any similar “extras” and are willing to share, I will be glad to post them on the site. You can contact me here.
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“For Example” Indicators — A list of phrases you can use when you are trying to clue something general by something specific. You cannot clue the word “animals” with the word “elephants.” But you can clue the word “animals” using a phrase like “elephants, for example.”
Definition-to-Wordplay Connectors — Often, the transition between the definition and wordplay halves of the clue can be a little bumpy. Here are some tricks you can use to ease the way.
Order Indicators – After — In charades, ways you can clue that a part of the solution must appear later in the word even though it appears earlier in the wordplay.
Order Indicators – Before — In charades, an easy way to bridge the gap between two cryptic elements in a clue.
Verbs the same in Present and Past Tense — Useful for when the verb tenses in the definition and worldplay halves of your clue don’t match.
Double Definition Words — The National Puzzlers League has stricter-than-usual restrictions on what counts as a double definition clue. Here is a list of word pairs that fit those requirements.
Added Letters — ***COMING SOON ***
Letter Changes — ***COMING SOON ***
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