Rules for setting crossword puzzles
for Infinity Junction and associated publications

Crossword puzzle rules (grid) Follow these 'IJ' rules if you want your crossword puzzle to feature in any Infinity Junction production, in print, media, website etc. Infinity Junction aims at basic graduate level crossword solvers, not geniuses or nerds, so be intelligent but down to earth. Further suggestions (not rules) at the bottom.

  • 1- All clues to be "self-contained," meaning the solver does not need to refer in any way to another clue or answer.
  • 2- Do not use "international" (or "Transatlantic," or "Amer-alian") dictionaries, (most digital ones are:) for example some 'English' words used in USA or Australia are used differently (or are even unknown) to most UK English speakers and so sometimes clues cannot be answered in other countries. Obviously Britain (home of IJ) uses UK English, but so do most English speaking Europeans, Africans, Asian Indians and Pakistanis and even parts of East Asia. Preferably do not use a dictionary at all. If you really need to use non-UK see list items 6 and 15 below.
  • 3-Ideally answers should not spread beyond one run in the grid; if they do then each part must be a whole word (or words) and the clue questions must be written again for each clue number along with the part of the clues involved e.g.- (part 2 of 2, OR words 3 and 4 of 4.) The number of letters in each word in the answer should be given.
  • 4- Themes must not be employed, because if the solver is ignorant of the subject, then the whole crossword is undoable to them.
  • 5- Clues should not be cryptic. The answer must be directly related to the clue.
  • 6- Foreign language clues/answers must be indicated as such and the language indicated, e.g.- (Fr.) for French. Uncommon languages should not be used. (Note- we (Infinity Junction) use UK English, but without uncommon or dialect words.)
  • 7- Do not involve obscure or highly specialised knowledge in an answer. Similarly do not use words or phrases unique to one region or social group.
  • 8- Myths and fairy tales should not feature, unless very widely known. Keep questions as much as possible to everyday knowledge and experiences of solvers. Ask yourself: will the average, educated 25 year old know about it, or easily find out?
  • 9- Arts and literature questions must be solvable by scientists! Science and technology questions must be solvable by non-scientists.
  • 10- Very long answers/words are discouraged, because if the solver can't get it, then several other clues may become too difficult to solve. *(See word difficulty count, below.)
  • 11- New words and abbreviations such as used in texting should be limited to what an average adult member of the general public will know. As a rule of thumb, if it hasn't been widely used for at least 15 years then it's new and is excluded. New and potentially short-lived technology terms etc should also be avoided.
  • 12- No anagrams for their own sake, they must have a clue as well. The anagram part should be indicated with (anag.)
  • 13- Check the accuracy of your clues and answers pedantically. Using an incorrect word may stop people solving a clue they otherwise would. For example Luxuriant has a very different meaning to Luxurious. Sulky (moody and silent) and Sultry (hot with passion or anger) are not the same. If you don't know for certain that an artist's colour is a pigment, or a dye, or a mixture, just say colour, don't assume it's a pigment. If you say something is worn around the middle, mean the actual middle, in a human that would be at the top of the hips, not loins, which are below middle. Check polarity etc- cathode=negative, (but attracts positive.) Check your geography carefully: the Indus river cannot be described as South Asian; it's actually all well north of the equator, but much of Asia is well south of the equator. All these are real mistakes found in major publication crosswords, so look very thoroughly at what you have chosen. More examples below, click.
  • 14- In intelligent adult crosswords, try inserting 1 or 2 simpler clues, preferably grid-connected to a more difficult one, to help people get started. Not needed with simple crosswords.
  • 15- Alternative spellings- if you are not using the most common spelling of an answer, then say so with either, (alt spell,) or for antiquated versions say (old spell,) or foreign versions state language (in brackets.) If two countries with the same language spell things differently, state which country your answer is from- example: ...ized is common in USA (US) but usually it is ...ised in the UK (UK.)
  • 16- No advertisements, No political/religious messages, No pushing author's allegiance, Unbiased and neutral please.
       *Word Difficulty Count- there's no formula that works universally so use your common sense. Longer words are likely to be more difficult, except very common words. Most commonly used words- easier. Seldom used words- difficult. It's obvious, ain't it. Don't try to be "clever" or showoff or you'll outsmart the solver and become avoided. If you have a slot that needs an answer, DON'T search the dictionary, search popular press etc.
  • Further Suggestions -
       °Does your clue have too many possible answers? Is it too vague? If so alter or add something in the clue to narrow down possibilities.
       °Very occasionally it will help to distinguish between verb and noun meanings of the same word, using (v) and (n). Example: Trap (v) = to capture / corner.   Trap (n) = a device or system to catch something. Another example: Excuse (n) = alibi or fair reason for failure. Excuse (v) = to let off.
       °Do you know anyone writing crosswords? If so pass them a link to this page. IJ crossword rules page.

    More real examples where crossword clue could have been clearer- "layer of roofing slabs" 5 letters, obvious but wrong answer was "slates", actual was "slater", (person laying roofing slabs.)
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