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Set of linguistic rules violated by the phrase "books likes she reading" - NYT The Midi Clue
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The solution "OFFS" completes the phrase "Write-OFFS," referring to tax deductions or reductions in taxable income. In tax terminology, "write-offs" are expenses subtracted from revenue to reduce taxable income. The clue's hyphen indicates a completion of the familiar term.
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The clue "Perched on" describes being positioned or resting on top of something. "ATOP" directly means "on top of," matching the definition perfectly. It's a concise synonym, which makes the connection straightforward and fitting for the clue.
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In golf, "traps" refer to sand traps or bunkers, which are sandy hazards strategically placed near greens (and other areas) to challenge players. The clue describes these obstacles that surround the green, making "TRAPS" the fitting answer.
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The word "GRAVE" describes something that is very serious or solemn, such as a grave situation or matter. It’s also a synonym for "very, very serious," aligning directly with the clue's tone and definition.
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The answer is HARRYPOTTER because he is the iconic literary and film character from J.K. Rowling's series known for the lightning bolt-shaped scar on his forehead. This mark, caused by Voldemort’s attack, is a distinctive and defining characteristic of Harry, making him instantly recognizable.
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The clue "Excellent TV reception?" features a pun. "Excellent TV" hints at award-worthy television, and "reception" plays on the idea of recognition. An EMMY NOD is a nomination for the Emmy Awards, which honor outstanding TV shows, making it a perfect "reception" or recognition.
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The clue references the famous 1981 adventure film Raiders of the Lost Ark. The film follows Indiana Jones seeking the biblical Ark of the Covenant, making "Ark" the correct answer. The blank suggests you're completing the movie title.
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"RES" is short for "reservation," which is commonly used when booking a table at a restaurant. The clue uses "casually" to hint at the informal abbreviation. This shorthand matches the clue's tone, making "RES" the perfect fit.
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The answer is TUNA because it is a common ingredient in cat food and is rich in protein. Cats are carnivorous and require protein for their diet, making tuna a widely used and nutritious choice for cat food formulations.
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GATORADE is the answer because it’s a popular sports drink known for its logo featuring a bold lightning bolt (⚡️). The lightning symbolizes energy and hydration, aligning with the beverage’s purpose of replenishing electrolytes. The ⚡️ in the clue directly points to this iconic branding.
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The phrase "Kick one's feet up" is a common idiom meaning to take a break or rest, often by literally putting your feet up in a comfortable position. "RELAX" directly matches this meaning, capturing the idea of unwinding and taking it easy.
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The clue "Stash (away)" suggests securing or storing something out of sight. "Stash" and "stow" are synonyms, both meaning to put something away safely or discreetly. The parenthetical "(away)" reinforces this action of putting something aside or storing it, making STOW the fitting answer.
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The clue "Old flames" is a playful way of referring to former romantic partners. The term "flames" suggests past passion or relationships, and "old" indicates previous ones. The answer, EXES, is a common term for former significant others, fitting the punning nature of the clue perfectly.
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The clue references the French word "elle," which translates to "she" in English. "Elle" is also the name of a famous fashion and lifestyle magazine. Thus, the magazine aligns perfectly with both the linguistic and direct meaning of the clue. Answer: ELLE.
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AC/DC is the solution because the iconic rock band includes a lightning bolt (⚡️) in its logo, symbolizing high voltage, energy, and electricity. The clue directly references this visual element, making AC/DC, known for hits like "Thunderstruck," the perfect fit.
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The Washington Nationals, the Major League Baseball team based in Washington, D.C., are commonly referred to as the "Nats" as an informal, abbreviated nickname. The clue specifies "informally," indicating the use of their shortened moniker rather than the full team name.
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META is the solution because it is the parent company of Instagram. Initially known as Facebook, the company rebranded to Meta in 2021 to reflect its broader focus on the "metaverse," while still owning platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
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The clue "'Tude" is casual slang for "attitude," often referring to a bold or cheeky demeanor. "SASS" perfectly captures this tone, as it describes spirited, sassy behavior or talk, aligning with the informal nature of the abbreviation 'Tude.
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The answer "SLOP" humorously refers to content of poor quality, often hastily or poorly produced. Colloquially, "slop" evokes messiness or carelessness, aligning with the perception of low-quality, generic, or unrefined A.I.-generated text. Thus, it effectively fits the clue.
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This is the puzzle's revealer. The large lightning bolt symbol featured in the grid ties together the three themed entries (Harry Potter, Gatorade, and AC/DC) and comes to life with a fun animation after you complete the puzzle.
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The phrase "This, that and the ___" is a common expression completed with "OTHER." It refers to a grouping of various items, indicating inclusion beyond "this" and "that." The word "OTHER" fits both the phrase’s structure and meaning, making it the correct answer.
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In bowling, a "frame" refers to one of the 10 divisions into which a game is split. Each frame gives the player a chance to knock down pins, with typically two rolls per frame (except in the 10th frame, which may allow three).
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The clue "Crop-growing areas" refers to places where crops are cultivated. Farms are the primary locations for growing crops, making FARMS the direct and logical answer. The plural form matches the clue's plural phrasing, ensuring consistency.
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The word "Agile" means quick-moving and nimble, which aligns with the definition of "SPRY." SPRY specifically describes someone who is active and energetic, often used for older individuals displaying unexpected agility. This synonym makes SPRY the correct answer for the clue.
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The answer is ART because painting and printing are creative forms of expression typically associated with the subject of art. "Class" here refers to an instructional session or subject, and ART class commonly covers activities like painting and printing. Hence, ART fits perfectly as the solution.
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The clue "Toodle-oo!" is in quotes, signaling it's a spoken expression. "Toodle-oo" is a casual, colloquial way to say goodbye, and "TATA" is another informal way of saying the same. Both are cheerful, friendly farewells, making TATA the perfect match.
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The clue "Finished" directly equates to the word "OVER," as both signify something coming to an end or being completed. For example, when an event or process is finished, it is said to be "over." This is a straightforward definition-based clue.
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The solution "PERK" works because it refers to an added benefit or privilege given to employees at work, like discounts, bonuses, or free coffee. "Perk" is short for "perquisite," making it a fitting and concise answer for the clue "Employee benefit."
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SYNTAX refers to the set of rules that govern sentence structure and word order in languages. The phrase "books likes she reading" violates proper syntax because the subject-verb-object order is incorrect, making it grammatically nonsensical. Thus, SYNTAX is the correct answer for this clue.
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The clue "Heaven forbid!" is enclosed in quotes, signaling a spoken phrase. "GOD NO" is a common exclamation expressing strong denial or dismay, aligning with the sentiment of forbidding something dreadful, making it a fitting answer. The phrase ties naturally to "Heaven" as it references God.
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The clue "Grumpy look" refers to an expression of displeasure or sulkiness. A "POUT" is a facial expression where someone pushes their lips outward, often associated with being upset, grumpy, or moody. Thus, "POUT" perfectly matches the description of a "Grumpy look."
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The term "ARSENAL" refers to a collection or stockpile of weapons and military equipment, aligning perfectly with the clue "Weapons stockpile." It is a direct and literal match, as an arsenal is a place where weapons are stored or a metaphorical accumulation of resources for combat.
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The clue "Car item unscrewed at the pump" refers to the cap on a car's gas tank, which is typically unscrewed when refueling at a gas station pump. Hence, the answer is GASCAP, a car component explicitly removed during this process.
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The clue "Finally!" enclosed in quotes signals a spoken exclamation. "At last" is a common phrase expressing relief or satisfaction when something has happened after waiting or effort. It matches the tone and meaning of the clue perfectly. That's why ATLAST is the answer.
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The clue "Meatheads" is a playful way to describe someone perceived as foolish or unintelligent. "DOLTS" is a synonym for such individuals, commonly meaning simpletons or fools, aligning perfectly with the clue. The informal tone matches the somewhat humorous usage of "Meatheads."
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The answer "EWES" fits the clue "Lambs' mothers" because ewes are adult female sheep, and lambs are young sheep. Therefore, ewes are literally the mothers of lambs, making this a straightforward and direct clue-answer relationship.
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The solution is REAMS because a "ream" is a standard unit of measure for stacks of paper, specifically 500 sheets. The plural "REAMS" fits as the clue refers to multiple 500-sheet stacks. This is a straightforward reference to the term used in the paper industry.
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EXCEL is the solution because it is a widely used spreadsheet software, directly comparable to Google Sheets. Both allow users to organize, analyze, and manipulate data, making EXCEL an obvious "alternative" to Google Sheets.
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The phrase "Resulted in" refers to an outcome or cause-and-effect relationship. "LED TO" describes this directly, indicating that one event or action caused another to happen, perfectly matching the meaning of the clue.
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The clue "___ you're saying there's a chance?" references a well-known phrase from the movie Dumb and Dumber. The blank indicates a conversational response, and "SO" fits naturally as it implies processing or interpreting what was just said ("So, you're saying there's a chance?").
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Solving today’s NYT Midi Puzzle and stuck on the 6-letter answer to the Set of linguistic rules violated by the phrase "books likes she reading" clue? Don’t worry—Lady Puzzle Pro has you covered! Whether you want the answer right away, revealed letter by letter, or if this wordplay seems too puzzling, keep reading for the explanation.
Set of linguistic rules violated by the phrase "books likes she reading" Answer Explained
The answer is SYNTAX.
Syntax is the set of linguistic rules that governs how words are arranged to form grammatical sentences. The clue provides an intentionally incorrect phrase—"books likes she reading"—that breaks those rules in several ways. The words themselves are familiar English words, but they're in the wrong order and don't agree with one another, making the sentence ungrammatical. That's exactly what syntax describes: the structure of a language and how its parts fit together. By using a deliberately mangled example, the clue demonstrates the concept rather than merely defining it, making the answer both educational and satisfying to recognize.
Now that you've cracked the 10D Set of linguistic rules violated by the phrase "books likes she reading" clue, you're one step closer to completing today’s Midi Puzzle! If you're still stuck on other clues, don't worry, we've got you covered. Explore more NYT The Midi crossword answers right here, or check out our tools for solving the NYT Crossword, NYT The Mini puzzle, Connections, or Strands.
Today’s NYT Midi Highlights
This was a fun, approachable theme that was clear as soon as I saw the big BOLT symbol in the grid. Once Harry Potter appeared, it was obvious the lightning bolt was the common thread, and it was enjoyable finding the other themed entries in Gatorade and AC/DC, each of which famously uses a bolt in its logo or identity. The animated lightning bolt at the end was a nice finishing touch that made the gimmick feel even more satisfying. The fill was smooth throughout, with clues like EMMY NOD, SLOP, SYNTAX, and GAS CAP adding some nice variety. Overall, it was a clean, lively puzzle with a simple but well-executed visual theme.
Here’s what caught our attention today:
About The Midi
The Midi is a daily crossword puzzle designed to sit between the quick satisfaction of The Mini and the depth of the full Daily Crossword. It offers a compact but more layered solving experience, giving players a new step in the New York Times Games lineup.
While officially launched as a daily puzzle in February 2026, the concept was tested earlier through special puzzle packs and more recently in newsletter editions. Those experiments helped shape what is now a permanent daily feature available exclusively online through the New York Times Games app and website.
Format and Structure
Most Midi puzzles use a 9×9 grid (larger than The Mini but smaller than the traditional crossword), allowing for richer wordplay and themed construction without requiring a long solving session. Toward the end of the week, grids may expand up to 11×11, and occasionally the puzzle appears in non-square formats, with different numbers of rows and columns.
Unlike The Mini, every Midi includes a title, offering a subtle hint at the puzzle’s theme or solving trick. These titles add an extra layer of discovery while keeping the experience approachable.
A Digital-First Puzzle
The Midi is built specifically for digital play. It does not appear in print, and it is available through the New York Times app and website only for subscribers.
Designing the puzzle for screens allows for occasional visual effects and interactive moments that enhance the solving experience in ways print cannot. Even with these innovations, the philosophy remains consistent: puzzles are still handcrafted by human constructors and editors, preserving the editorial voice and thoughtful construction that define New York Times Games.
Editorial Approach
The Midi is edited by Ian Livengood, who also oversees Pips. He creates about three Midi puzzles each week while collaborating with a rotating group of approximately fifteen contributors whose submissions are carefully edited before publication.
This editorial model mirrors the structure used across The New York Times crosswords, where dedicated editors maintain quality and style (like Will Shortz for The Daily and Joel Fagliano for The Mini).
New Rules and Creative Flexibility
The Midi introduces several notable changes to traditional crossword conventions, like:
- Each puzzle features a title. Before, only Sunday NYT puzzles had a title. In Midi, this is meant to give a clue about the theme without needing a distinct clue to play the role of a theme revealer.
- Grids may occasionally break from square symmetry, which is something also happening in the Mini, especially those made by Sam Ezersky.
- Two-letter answers are allowed - this is a feature borrowed from cryptic puzzles, allowing Scrabble (and NYT Crossplay) fans to bank on their skills.
Daily Availability
Puzzles are accessible the evening before the publish date. Weekday and Saturday puzzles: 10 p.m. EST the previous day. Sunday puzzles: 6 p.m. EST on Saturday.