Second, here’s how each clue type can be used for the same solution word time, (defined as the US magazine in 10 clues). Indicators are underlined.
| CLUE TYPE | CLUES | WHAT TO DO |
| Types 1–8 | ||
| ANAGRAM | New item in magazine | Change letters of ITEM |
| SANDWICH (OUTSIDE) | Match bringing in millions for magazine | Put MATCH = TIE outside MILLIONS = M |
| SANDWICH (INSIDE) | Millions put into match magazine | Put MILLIONS = M inside MATCH = TIE |
| HOMOPHONE | Herb mentioned in magazine | Find a word for a HERB sounding like TIME (THYME) |
| HIDDEN | Some sentimental magazine | Find a word within SENTIMENTAL |
| REVERSAL (ACROSS CLUE) | Magazine issue backed | Reverse ISSUE = EMIT |
| REVERSAL (DOWN CLUE) | Magazine issue taken up | Reverse ISSUE = EMIT |
| TAKEAWAY | Nameless chaps behind note in magazine | Remove NAME = N from MEN; add NOTE = TI |
| LETTER SWITCH | Magazine volume, one for nothing | Replace NOTHING = O in VOLUME = TOME with I |
| ALL-IN-ONE | Male, interned in Windsor is doing this? | Put MALE = M inside WINDSOR = TIE |
| Types 9-12 | ||
| ADDITIVE | Note yours truly in magazine | Add NOTE = TI to YOURS TRULY = ME |
| DOUBLE DEFINITION | Bird magazine | Two ways of expressing time, BIRD is time in prison |
| CRYPTIC DEFINITION | Wilde did it in a sentence | Think of Oscar W in prison |
| NOVELTY | Spell centimetre: this is in middle – in middle! | Find TIME centrally inside CENTRE |
WHY ARE SOME CLUES MORE DIFFICULT THAN OTHERS?
Levels of cryptic difficulty are shown by these sandwich clues, all using the same definition don’t worry and all giving the same answer but with differing wordplay:
Ned catches vermin, don’t worry (5,4): The letters to be manipulated are in the clue ie Ned outside vermin
Edward catches vermin, don’t worry (5,4): A small change from Edward to Ned is required
Boy catches mice, don’t worry (5,4): Two changes are needed as mice has to become vermin
I hope you got never mind as the answer in each case. If you didn’t, never mind, as the point remains that while clue structures are the same, synonyms have to be found before the sandwich can be made and it is this that makes solving more difficult. Of course, unusual words as answers and obscure references are other causes of difficulty.
“This isn’t biography. It’s the only thing the English are good at… crossword puzzles.”
Alan Bennett, Kafka’s Dick
Having considered clue types and various points associated with each, we will now consider some tips on how you might go about solving them.
Seasoned solvers have many ways of uncovering a clue’s solution. The ones following are in no particular recommended order of importance, except that the first two are often quoted as ways to get started.
1. Find the definition
As you know by now, the definition part of nearly all clues is either at the beginning or end of a clue. Identifying it quickly, and assessing the definition in conjunction with word-length shown, allows the possibility of a good initial guess which can then be checked against wordplay before entry.
2. Find an indicator and/or clue type
Not all clues have indicators, as we have seen, but where they do, try to use them to identify the clue type. For example, you may spot a familiar anagram indicator such as mixed or battered and thence compare the letters in the anagram fodder with the word-length of the solution given. If they correspond, there is a good chance that you have identified the wordplay element of the clue and can develop that into a possible solution.
3. Ignore the scenario
Setters do their best to produce clues which paint a smooth, realistic picture, referred to as the surface meaning or just surface. Try to ignore it however and look at the individual components in front of you. Take the clue overleaf, seemingly about a party:
ADDITIVE CLUE: Last ones in get no sherry trifle (3)
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