"But not":
* Contrasting Ideas: This phrase signals a contrast between two ideas. The word following "but not" will be the opposite of the previous idea, helping you deduce the meaning of the unfamiliar word.
Example: "The professor was a renowned scholar, but not a pedantic one. He always made his lectures engaging and accessible."
* Deduction: "Pedantic" must mean the opposite of "engaging and accessible." You can infer that it means "overly concerned with minor details or rules" based on the contrast.
"Also":
* Similar Ideas: This phrase indicates that the word following "also" is similar in meaning to a previously mentioned idea.
Example: "The painting was incredibly realistic, with lifelike detail and texture. It was also quite verisimilar."
* Deduction: "Verisimilar" must be similar in meaning to "realistic" and "lifelike." You can deduce that it means "having the appearance of truth or reality."
Here's how these clues help a reader understand an unfamiliar word:
* Provide context: The words and phrases surrounding the unfamiliar word offer clues about its meaning.
* Create relationships: "But not" and "also" establish relationships between words, allowing you to infer the meaning of the unknown word.
* Develop inferential skills: By using context clues, readers learn to actively engage with the text and make informed guesses about word meanings.
Key takeaway: Context clues like "but not" and "also" are valuable tools for understanding unfamiliar words. They help readers make connections between words, infer meaning, and become more confident readers.