Mastering the Command Crossword Clue: A Comprehensive Guide for Crossword Enthusiasts
The humble crossword puzzle, a seemingly simple grid of intersecting words, often hides a complex web of linguistic nuances. One of the most challenging clue types to decipher is the ‘command’ clue. These clues don’t directly define a word; instead, they instruct the solver to perform an action, the result of which is the answer. Understanding how to approach these clues can significantly improve your crossword solving skills. This comprehensive guide will explore various types of command clues, offering strategies and examples to help you conquer even the trickiest puzzles.
Understanding the Nature of Command Clues
Command clues differ from standard definition clues because they present the answer indirectly. They don’t explicitly state the meaning of the word but imply it through an action or instruction. The solver must execute the command mentally to arrive at the answer. This can involve manipulating words, numbers, or even concepts.
Consider this example: ‘Order a drink‘ (5). The command is to ‘order.’ The answer is likely a type of alcoholic beverage, perhaps ‘ALE’ (5 letters). The clue directs the solver to think about the action of ordering and then determine the result.
Key Characteristics of Command Clues:
- Instructional Verbs: Clues often begin with imperative verbs like ‘order,’ ‘make,’ ‘find,’ ‘construct,’ ‘reverse,’ or ‘combine.’
- Implied Actions: The command may be subtly implied rather than explicitly stated. The solver needs to infer the required action.
- Wordplay: Command clues frequently utilize wordplay, anagrams, or other cryptic techniques to conceal the answer.
- Hidden Information: Sometimes the clue itself contains the answer, disguised in a way that requires the solver to follow the command to find it.
Types of Command Clues and Solving Strategies
Command clues can manifest in numerous forms. Understanding these variations will enhance your ability to crack even the most perplexing puzzles.
1. Anagram Clues:
These clues instruct the solver to rearrange the letters of a word or phrase. For example, ‘Upset driver (7)’ could be ‘DRIVER’ rearranged to produce ‘REDRIVE’.
2. Deletion Clues:
These clues ask the solver to remove specific letters or parts of a word. ‘Take away the head of lettuce and you get this vegetable (5)’ is a clue that asks to remove the ‘LET’ (head) from ‘LETTUCE’, resulting in ‘TUCE’ (a type of lettuce).
3. Addition Clues:
These clues require the addition of letters or words to create the answer. For example, ‘Add ‘A’ to a garden implement to get a type of bird (6)’ would lead the solver to add ‘A’ to ‘HOE’ (a garden implement) to get ‘AHOE’ (a bird).
4. Reversal Clues:
These clues involve reversing a word or phrase. ‘Backward dog (4)’ would lead to the answer ‘GOD’ (DOG reversed).
5. Combination Clues:
These clues require combining parts of different words to create the answer. For instance, ‘The first part of ‘train’ and the last part of ‘station’ (4)’ would combine ‘TRA’ and ‘ION’ to get ‘TRAIN’.
6. Substitution Clues:
Substitution clues replace letters or numbers within a word or phrase. For example, ‘Replace ‘T’ with ‘D’ in the word ‘TIME’ (4)’ would lead to ‘DIME’.
Advanced Techniques for Deciphering Command Clues
Mastering command clues often requires a deeper understanding of cryptic crossword techniques. Here are some advanced approaches:
1. Identifying the Imperative Verb:
Pay close attention to the verbs used in the clue. The verb will often provide the instruction for the mental operation required to find the answer.
2. Recognizing Cryptic Indicators:
Cryptic crosswords often use indicator words to signal anagrams, reversals, or other wordplay. Learn to recognize these indicators to speed up your solving process.
3. Considering Wordplay:
Don’t just take the words at face value. Look for double meanings, puns, and other forms of wordplay that might be integral to the command.
4. Using Cross Letters:
The letters already filled in from intersecting words are invaluable in narrowing down the possibilities. Use these letters to eliminate possibilities and confirm your guesses.
5. Checking Your Answer:
Once you’ve arrived at a possible answer, carefully review it to ensure it fits the clue’s command and the cross letters.
Practice Makes Perfect: Examples of Command Clues
Let’s work through some examples to solidify our understanding:
- ‘Turn a vehicle around’ (5): This commands the solver to reverse the word ‘CAR’ leading to ‘RAC’ (race car). However, note that other five-letter vehicles exist. Using cross letters helps eliminate those possibilities.
- ‘Cut off the top of a tree and get this animal’ (3): Removing the ‘TOP’ from ‘POPLAR’ results in ‘LAR’ (another animal, and not the likely answer). This clue requires careful consideration of cross letters and alternative meanings.
- ‘Get this item by combining part of ‘home’ and ‘range’ (5): This command involves combining HOM and RANGE. It requires consideration of the most likely five-letter outcome, possibly resulting in ‘HOMER’ (the answer would be context-dependent and likely hinted at by cross-letters).
Conclusion
Command clues present a unique challenge in crossword solving, requiring a blend of linguistic skills and lateral thinking. By understanding the various types of command clues, mastering the techniques discussed, and practicing regularly, you can dramatically improve your ability to tackle these complex clues and master the art of solving even the most difficult crosswords. So grab a pen, a puzzle, and start practicing! Your crossword prowess will improve with every attempt.
