Read the Verb: Sand and Darts
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Practice identifying what job a word is doing. A clue can ask for an object, an action, or a description. This 4×4 teaching word square repeats its answer words across and down so you can compare two meanings of each.
Worked solution and clue explanations (contains answers)
Find the action
1 Across begins with “Smooth,” used as a verb. SAND means to smooth a surface with an abrasive. In 1 Down, the same letters name grains on a beach.
Compare two uses of NEAR
6 Across describes something close by. At 3 Down, “Approach” is an action: runners NEAR the finish line. Matching the part of speech prevents an answer that fits only the general topic.
Watch DART change roles
7 Across is a small thrown object: DART. At 4 Down, DART means to move quickly. A clue about movement does not necessarily need RUN; use the required four letters and crossings.
Review the fill
Across and Down both read SAND, AREA, NEAR, DART. Try writing a third clue for SAND that still leads clearly to those four letters. That is a useful way to check whether you understand the answer.
Clues and explanations prepared for Play Crosswords with AI assistance. These exercises use word-square patterns; they are not NYT archive puzzles.
Crossword Clues
Across
- 1 Across
- Smooth a wooden surface with abrasive paper (4 letters)
- 5 Across
- A rectangle has this measured in square units (4 letters)
- 6 Across
- Close by, rather than far away (4 letters)
- 7 Across
- Small pointed missile thrown at a numbered board (4 letters)
Down
- 1 Down
- Grains you might empty from beach shoes (4 letters)
- 2 Down
- Part of a town or a field (4 letters)
- 3 Down
- Approach, as the finish line (4 letters)
- 4 Down
- Move suddenly and quickly (4 letters)