Connections is a game from the New York Times where you have to find the connection between words. It sounds simple, but it’s not – Connections categories can be almost anything and are usually quite specific. If you need help answering the questions, we’re here for you.
What is Connections?
Connections is a game from the New York Times. The goal is simple: sort 16 words into groups of four. Each group of words is connected by a common idea or theme. That common element can be anything. We’ve seen everything from games based on the number of letters in the words to categories where you have to find an extra letter at the end of the word. Sometimes they’re economics references, sometimes fairy tales. There’s no way to predict what kind of connection will exist between the words.
When you’re sure you understand the context, select 4 words and then click “Submit.” You only have four attempts in total, so don’t be too guessing.
Notes for today’s Connections groups
Here are a few tips about the 438th Connections game to help you get started:
- Yellow: Things you need in a cinema.
- Green: To get between them, use an elevator or the stairs.
- Blue: Where you can get daily information.
- Purple: Words related to a joke.
If you still need help, the actual group names are:
- Yellow: Classic cinema equipment
- Green: Level
- Blue: Newspaper names
- Purple: Stroke verbs
Today’s NYT Connections answers
Classic cinema equipment (yellow):
Projector, film reel, screen, loudspeaker
Level (Green):
deck, floor, level, storey
Name of the newspaper (blue):
Globe, mirror, post, sun
Stroke verbs (purple):
egg, moon, stripes, toilet paper
How did we solve this connection game?
Today’s game was pretty easy, except for Blue.
The project, screen and speaker immediately made me think of a cinema and I was tempted to include the story. In the end, however, “reel” was a better fit, as reels are equipment you find in a cinema. They were in the yellow group “Classic cinema equipment”.
Deck, floor, level, and story are all words we can use to describe height within a structure, so I lumped them together. They were in the green “Level” group.
After much trial and error, I finally realized that globe, mirror, post and sun were all “newspaper names.” They belonged to the blue group.
That left egg, moon, stripes, and toilet paper. Egg and toilet paper got me thinking about vandalism, which eventually led to pranks in the broader sense. The purple group was “prank verbs.”
How do you guess fraternity groups?
There is no quick and reliable way to use Connections like Wordle because Connections is not algorithmic. However, there are a few things to keep in mind that can be helpful.
- Search for similar parts of speech. Are some words verbs and others nouns? Are some adjectives? Try to mentally group them according to these categories and see if you notice any other patterns.
- Are the words synonyms? Sometimes categories are just synonyms for a phrase or very similar to synonyms. However, don’t rely on them too much. Occasionally, Connections will intentionally throw in words that Sometimes Synonyms to mislead you.
- Try to pronounce the words. Sometimes it helps to say the words out loud. One puzzle we saw contained the words “walk,” “rate,” “faster,” “clip,” “pace,” “speed,” “move,” “commute,” and “hurry” – all of which are obviously linked to the idea of movement. But saying them out loud makes it a little clearer that only four of them (walk, move, hurry, faster) are things you would actually say to get someone to move.
- Expect diversionary tactics. Connections usually contains words that could plausibly but incorrectly be grouped together. Take, for example, the words Bud, Corona, and Light. You might instinctively see these three words together and assume they are grouped together in a category related to beer – but that’s not the case.
- Search for unique words. If a word on your board doesn’t have multiple meanings or can really only be used in one context, try using that word as the basis for a category.
- Shuffle the board. Sometimes it helps to move words around and see them with different eyes.
If you didn’t solve this puzzle, don’t feel bad – there’s still tomorrow! And these words might fit a topic you’re interested in, giving you an edge over the competition.
