Welcome back to the grid, fellow word-hunters! If you are working through today’s puzzle and found yourself stuck in the academic section of the layout, you aren’t alone. We’ve all been there: the coffee is getting cold, the black-and-white squares are staring back at you, and one specific
crossword clue
is standing between you and that satisfying “puzzle complete” animation.
Today, we are taking a deep dive into a prompt that frequently pops up in the New York Times, LA Times, and Wall Street Journal puzzles:
“Uses as evidence in a research paper.”
At first glance, this
crossword clue
seems like a straightforward definition. However, as any seasoned solver knows, the beauty of a well-crafted puzzle lies in its ability to be both precise and slightly elusive. When you see a
crossword clue
related to formal writing or scholarly work, your mind might immediately jump to the long, multi-syllabic words we used to hit those word counts in university. But in the world of crosswords, brevity is king.
Analyzing the Clue
When tackling this
crossword clue
, the first thing to look at is the verb tense. The clue uses “Uses”—a present-tense, third-person singular verb. This is a crucial rule in solving any
crossword clue
: the answer must match the part of speech and the tense of the prompt. If the clue was “Used as evidence,” you’d be looking for a past-tense suffix. Since it’s “uses,” you can almost certainly bet the answer ends in an “S.”
This specific
crossword clue
is a favorite among constructors because it utilizes common letters that are perfect for “crossing” with other words. It’s the kind of foundational vocabulary that helps bridge the gap between difficult themed entries.
Why This Clue Can Be Tricky
The challenge with “Uses as evidence in a research paper” is the sheer number of synonyms available in the English language. You might be thinking of words like:
References
Alludes
Quotes
Attests
Adduces
While all of these are technically correct in a vacuum, only one fits the standard five-letter or six-letter slots most commonly associated with this
crossword clue
. You have to look at the surrounding “down” clues to see which vowel or consonant fits the intersection. Often, solvers get hung up on more complex terminology when the constructor is actually looking for the most fundamental term used in a bibliography or works cited page.
Tips for Solving Academic Crossword Clues
If you find yourself frequently stumped by an academic-themed
crossword clue
, keep these tips in mind:
1.
Check the Letter Count:
Most variations of this answer are short—typically four to five letters.
2.
Look for Crosses:
If you have the second or third letter, the answer usually reveals itself quickly, as the vowel placement in this specific word is very standard.
3.
Think of the Bibliography:
What is the actual action you perform when you give credit to a source? That action is the heart of this
crossword clue
.
Crosswords are a wonderful way to keep your vocabulary sharp, and academic clues like “Uses as evidence in a research paper” remind us of the precision required in formal language. Whether you are a casual Monday solver or a competitive Saturday pro, mastering these common “filler” words is the key to increasing your solving speed.
Keep those pencils moving, and don’t let one tricky
crossword clue
ruin your streak! If you’re still struggling with the rest of the section, remember to focus on the short three-letter words nearby to break the grid open. Happy solving!
Available Answers:
CITES.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Washington Post Crossword -Tuesday’s Daily By Dylan Schiff / Ed. Patti Varol