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2024-10-01 #:
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How to Play NYT Connections

Connections is a word association game where players try to find the common thread linking four seemingly unrelated words.

Gameplay

  • Examine the 16 words: Read through all the words carefully, looking for potential connections.
  • Identify a group of four: When you spot a potential connection between four words, tap or click on each word to select them.
  • Submit your group: Once you’ve selected four words, a button (usually labelled “Submit” or similar) will appear. Click it to submit your guess.
  • Feedback: The game will tell you if your group is correct.
    • Correct Connection: The connected words will be visually grouped together, often with a colored background or connecting lines. The connection itself is not revealed.
    • Incorrect Connection: The game will indicate that the group is incorrect, and the words will remain unlinked. You can continue trying different combinations.
  • Find all four groups: Repeat the process of identifying and submitting groups until you’ve correctly identified all four sets of four connected words.

Connections

The connections between words can vary widely and may be based on:

  • Synonyms: Words with similar meanings (e.g., happy, joyful, cheerful, merry)
  • Antonyms: Words with opposite meanings (e.g., hot, cold, black, white)
  • Categories: Words belonging to the same category (e.g., apple, banana, orange, grape)
  • Homophones: Words that sound alike but have different meanings (e.g., there, their, they’re)
  • Puns/Wordplay: Words connected by a play on words (e.g., bandage, patch, fix, repair)
  • Shared Letters/Prefixes/Suffixes: Words sharing common letters or parts of words
  • Themes: Words related to a specific theme (e.g., Shakespeare, Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello)
  • Functions/Uses: Words sharing a similar function or purpose

Strategies

  • Start with the obvious: Look for immediately apparent connections first.
  • Consider different parts of speech: A word might connect as a noun, verb, or adjective.
  • Think broadly: Connections can be subtle or abstract. Don’t limit yourself to the most literal interpretations.
  • Process of elimination: As you find correct groups, the remaining words can offer clues to the remaining connections.
  • Try different combinations: Don’t be afraid to experiment! If one group doesn’t work, try a different set of four.

Key Differences from Classic Connections

  • No Puzzle Master: The connections are pre-determined by the game.
  • No Guessing the Connection: You only need to identify the groups, not the specific connecting word or phrase.
  • Visual Grouping: The game visually groups the connected words, providing a clear indication of progress.
  • Digital Format: The NYT Connections game is played online or via an app, offering a streamlined and interactive experience.