strategy

Everyday

1. A strategy is a plan for reaching a goal, especially a clever plan made carefully ahead. tree →
2. Strategy is the skill of planning, for example in games, sport or war. tree →

In the lessons

In maths lessons pupils learn «strategies» for solving problems and doing sums: counting on, using doubles, drawing a picture, making a list, working backwards. In reading, teachers teach «reading strategies» such as predicting and rereading. In sport and board games like chess, «strategy» means planning several moves ahead. Phrases: «a good strategy», «a strategy for», «strategy game».

Examples

• What strategy did you use to solve the problem? tree →
• One strategy for adding 9 is to add 10 and take away 1. tree →
• Our team needs a better strategy to win. tree →
• Chess is a game of strategy. tree →
• Drawing a diagram is a useful strategy in maths. tree →
• Her strategy was to save a little money every week. tree →
• The general planned a strategy for the battle. tree →

Note

Plural: strategies (y → ies). Adjective: strategic. «Strategy» is the big plan; «tactics» are the small steps used to carry it out. Stress on the first syllable: STRA-te-gy.