
<p><strong><em>NYT Connections Answers:</em></strong> NYT Connections #774 is live, and today’s groupings may have tested your vocabulary, imagination, and cultural recall. Connections is a daily word game from The New York Times that presents players with 16 words.</p>
<p>The aim? Sort them into four groups of four that share a hidden connection, whether cultural, linguistic or conceptual. Sounds straightforward, but red herrings and subtle links often complicate the grid.</p>
<p>Let’s look at how the July 25 puzzle sorted itself out.</p>
<h3><span style=”color: #ba372a;”><strong>Yellow Category: Hush-Hush</strong></span></h3>
<p>This was the gentlest group of the day. All four words hinted at silence or secrecy: MUM, PRIVATE, QUIET and SECRET. Once one word clicked, the rest followed with ease.</p>
<ul>
<li>MUM</li>
<li>QUIET</li>
<li>PRIVATE</li>
<li>SECRET</li>
</ul>
<p>These all circled around the idea of keeping things discreet or confidential.</p>
<h3><span style=”color: #ba372a;”><strong>Green Category: State Abbreviations</strong></span></h3>
<p>A slightly more niche set, this category featured U.S. state abbreviations: IN, MA, OH and OK. For those unfamiliar with American postal codes, this group may have felt random.</p>
<ul>
<li>IN</li>
<li>MA</li>
<li>OH</li>
<li>OK</li>
</ul>
<p>The trick lay in recognising that each was a legitimate two-letter abbreviation for a U.S. state.</p>
<h3><span style=”color: #ba372a;”><strong>Blue Category: Baseball Calls</strong></span></h3>
<p>This one was for the sports fans. BALL, FAIR, FOUL and OUT are all terms used by umpires in baseball. Even if you’re not familiar with the game, the shared theme of in-play rulings might have guided you.</p>
<ul>
<li>BALL</li>
<li>FAIR</li>
<li>FOUL</li>
<li>OUT</li>
</ul>
<p>All four belong in the vocabulary of baseball calls and decisions.</p>
<h3><span style=”color: #ba372a;”><strong>Purple Category: Queen ___</strong></span></h3>
<p>This elegant grouping relied on word pairing. Each word can follow “Queen” to form a familiar phrase: QUEEN BED, QUEEN BEE, QUEEN MARY and QUEEN MOTHER.</p>
<ul>
<li>MOTHER</li>
<li>BEE</li>
<li>MARY</li>
<li>BED</li>
</ul>
<p>The link spanned royalty, biology and home furnishings, a clever cultural blend.</p>
<p>Today’s Connections puzzle was a balanced mix of knowledge, logic and wordplay. From secretive whispers to regal phrases, each group came with its own flavour.</p>
<p>Missed it? Don’t worry, tomorrow brings a brand new chance.</p>