Farm animals that sound like vowels not seen in this puzzle? nyt crossword clue

To solve the clue "Farm animals that sound like vowels not seen in this puzzle?", we can break it down into its components: 1. **Farm animals**: We're looking for common farm animals, which include cows, pigs, chickens, sheep, etc. 2. **Sound like vowels**: The vowels in the English language are A, E, I, O, U. We need to determine animals that might phonetically resemble these vowels. 3. **Not seen in this puzzle**: This part of the clue suggests that the vowels themselves are not present in the answer, leading us to think of animals that can be linked to specific vowel sounds. Examining the vowels: - **A** could relate to "cow" (sounds like the letter "O"). - **E** could relate to "sheep" (sounds like "E"). - **I** doesn't have a direct animal reference but can be linked to noises made by farm animals. - **O** can refer to "goat" (as in "O"). - **U** could be linked to "duck" since it contains a "u" sound. Now, considering the phrase "not seen in this puzzle," we focus on vowel sounds but ultimately need an answer that does not contain A, E, I, O, U. One answer that fits these criteria is "PIGS." - It sounds like "I," but the letters A, E, O, U are missing in the word "PIGS." Therefore, the answer to the clue is **PIGS.** ### Tips for Crossword Solving: - **Think Aloud**: When encountering a clue, verbalize different interpretations and alternatives. - **Break It Down**: Isolate the different parts of a clue (like definitions, homophones, puns) to find the connection. - **Common Abbreviations**: Familiarizing yourself with common terms and shorthand associated with various topics can expedite the solving process. - **Cross-reference**: Use intersecting words to confirm your guesses; they can often provide crucial letters. - **Practice**: Regularly doing puzzles can develop your mental flexibility and vocabulary. In conclusion, with a structured approach, you can effectively decode clever crossword clues.