How to Read Scrambled Words

Deciphering scrambled words, like those in newspaper word scramble puzzles, can be a real challenge. With letter combinations often spelling a number of words, it's important to narrow down the clues to find the proper word hidden within the scrambled letters.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pencil
• Dictionary

1. Increase your vocabulary and word base. You can do this by reading and looking up the definitions of words you're not familiar with. A stronger word base makes it easier to identify words, and to figure out the clues.

2. Polish up on spelling by looking up words you're not sure of when you write anything. And read as much as possible. The more often you see words in print, the better your chances of solving word puzzles.

3. Study root words and word origins, and learn how words are put together. Knowing the basic constructs of words, such as vowel combinations, will help you identify patterns in scrambled words.

4. Keep a dictionary close by to look up potential words and double check their spelling and meaning. This will also help you improve your vocabulary and discover similarly spelled words for future word scramble puzzles. It's not cheating if it helps make you a better puzzle solver.

5. If definition clues are provided, use a reverse dictionary to help you find words that fit the clue.

6. Write down potential word combinations using the letters provided until you come up with a properly spelled match. If a definition has been provided, make sure your answer fits it.

7. When unscrambling passages of scrambled words, take word order into consideration. Often you will be able to look at the structure of the overall sentence and figure out where a verb belongs, say, or which two-letter word is likely to be right.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice will help your skill improve.

References

• Buzzle.com
• Teaching and Learning with Technology
• The Guardian

Resources

• Enchanted Learning