Honestly, the July 28 puzzle is one of those that makes you want to throw your phone across the room before you suddenly see the light. If you've been staring at the screen for twenty minutes and the words are starting to blur, you’re not alone. This specific grid is a masterclass in the "almost-synonym" trap that the New York Times editors love to set.
The beauty (and frustration) of NYT Connections hints July 28 is how it pivots between literal definitions and those sneaky linguistic patterns. You think you're looking for things that are "important," but you might actually be looking for movie genres or vegetable puns.
Why This Puzzle is Tricky
Most people fail this one because they see a couple of words that could belong together and they hit "Submit" without checking if there’s a fifth or sixth word that fits the same vibe. That's how they get you.
For the July 28 challenge, you're dealing with a mix of structural definitions and some very specific niche knowledge—specifically regarding classic cinema and collectible hobbies. If you aren't a film buff or a numismatist, you might feel a bit left out in the cold. But that's why we're here.
Hints for the July 28 Categories
Sometimes you just need a nudge, not the whole answer. Here are some thematic breadcrumbs for the four groups:
- Yellow: Think about things that come at the very start. The absolute beginning.
- Green: This group is about evidence. How do you know something exists if you only see a tiny bit of it?
- Blue: If you were a hobbyist with a very organized shelf, these are the things you’d likely have in protective sleeves or cases.
- Purple: This is the "blank" category. Think about types of movies.
The Breakdown: What Each Category Actually Is
If those hints weren't enough, let's get a bit more specific.
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The Yellow Group: Foremost
The Yellow group is usually the most straightforward, though "Primary" can sometimes trip people up because it has other meanings. These words all describe the "original" or "first" version of something.
- Words: First, Initial, Original, Primary.
The Green Group: Indication
This one feels like it belongs in a detective novel. If you're looking for a "sign" of something, you're looking for these.
- Words: Evidence, Hint, Sign, Trace.
The Blue Group: Item In A Collection
This is where the hobbyists win. These are four classic things people collect, often for value or historical interest.
- Words: Coin, Comic, Record, Stamp.
The Purple Group: _ _ _ Movie
The "hidden word" or "preceded by" categories are always the hardest. Here, each word precedes the word "movie."
- Words: Buddy, Cult, Date, Silent.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The biggest "gotcha" on July 28 is the word HINT. You’re literally looking for NYT Connections hints July 28, so seeing the word "Hint" in the grid is a bit meta. It’s easy to think it belongs in a meta-category about the game itself, but it actually stays firmly in the "Indication" group.
Another trap? RECORD and TRACE. Both can be verbs meaning "to track something," but they split apart here. Record goes with the collectors, and Trace stays with the clues.
Strategy for Future Puzzles
If you want to stop relying on guides (though we're happy to have you!), try these three things next time:
- Shuffle three times. Your brain loves to find patterns in the default layout. Break the layout to break the mental block.
- Say them out loud. Sometimes "Buddy Movie" sounds right to your ears even if your eyes didn't catch it.
- Find the "Link" word. Identify the most unique word on the board—something like "Cult"—and brainstorm every possible phrase it belongs to.
Quick Answer Key for July 28
If you just want the win and want to move on with your day, here is the final solution:
- Foremost (Yellow): First, Initial, Original, Primary
- Indication (Green): Evidence, Hint, Sign, Trace
- Item In A Collection (Blue): Coin, Comic, Record, Stamp
- ___ Movie (Purple): Buddy, Cult, Date, Silent
Don't let the purple group get to you. It's designed to be the one that most people only solve by process of elimination. If you managed to spot "Silent Movie" and "Buddy Movie" right away, you’re basically a pro.
The best way to prepare for tomorrow is to keep a mental list of these "prefix" categories. The NYT loves "____ Movie," "____ Cake," and "____ Box." Once you start seeing the grid through that lens, the game changes completely.
Next Steps for Your Daily Routine:
- Review the "Indication" synonyms to see how often the NYT uses subtle variations like "Mark" or "Vestige."
- Try playing the "Strands" game today as well; it often uses similar thematic overlaps that help train your brain for Connections.
- Check back tomorrow morning to see if the difficulty spike continues or if we get a "breather" puzzle.