How Do You Know If Words Are Indicators Or Not?

[Jaqck]

I'm trying to learn how you know what words are and what words aren't indicators in crossword and cryptic crosswords and how you know when to use them and when to ignore them.


I'm currently doing a crossword with these words in. Are any of them indicators? If so what do they indicate? If so how do you know?

Possibility
Packed
Precious
Fact
Keeper
Close
Crazy
Squeaky
Voice
Dear
Beyond

Thanks for the help!

[Buenchico]

I'm rubbish at cryptic crosswords but I've been following the answers here (that provide parsing for clues) for many years now and I'm just beginning to make some sense of it all.

As I see it, people with loads of experience in solving cryptic crosswords will recognise familiar indicators (such as 'confused', for an anagram) from past experience. For others though (and even for experienced puzzlers where an indicator is a rare one) it's simply a matter of trying to work out if a particular word could be an indicator of some sort. (e.g. if one sees "brought up" in a down clue, it could well be a very big hint that reversal is involved).

Unless you've got a particularly good memory, looking at long lists of indicators is unlikely to help directly with learning them but it might well help to gain an understanding of the way that they work. I therefore offer you this excellent link for your consideration:
https://cryptics.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Setting_and_solving_aids

[Jaqck]

Thanks so much for the link. I'll see if it helps!

[Buenchico]

PS: From your list (and without cross-checking with my link), 'crazy' might hint at an anagram for me and 'beyond' might indicate that the answer to the first bit of the clue needs to be placed after the answer to the next bit.

'Packed' might possibly indicate that a word in the clue has to be compressed (by removing some letters) in order to fit into the answer.

A reference to 'voice' might possibly indicate a homophone.
'Close' might indicate that two parts of the clue fit together, one after the other, within the answer.

However, as I wrote at the start, I'm rubbish when it comes to doing cryptic crosswords. So please don't rely too heavily upon my suggestions!

[Buenchico]

PPS: On second thoughts, 'packed' might well indicate that the answer to one part of a clue has to be inserted within the answer to another part.

[Jaqck]

Yes I completely agree with your answers. I'll see what I can find thanks for the help!

[Ken4155]

Jaqck, according to your other thread ('Post on TikTok videos'), you say you have all but solved the puzzle (not a crossword) but that you're stumped on 'post on TikTok videos' clue?