NOTES ON VERBAL ANALOGIES AND ANALOGICAL RELATIONSHIPS

Verbal Analogies

By definition, an 'analogy' is 'a thing which is comparable to something else in significant respects' or 'a parallel
drawn between two different, but sufficiently similar events, situations, or circumstances'. By extension, a
'verbal analogy' can be defined as an analogy that draws a parallel (similar relationship) between one pair of
words and another pair of words.

The standard directions for verbal analogy questions are: "Each of the following questions consists of a related
pair of key words (in capitals), followed by four pairs of words. Choose the pair of words that expresses a
relationship most similar to that expressed in the pair of key words".

So the first step is to identify the relationship between the 'related pair of key words' and formulate a 'diagnostic
sentence' that expresses the relationship precisely. The parts of speech of each word of the pair are important for
understanding the precise relationship and formulating the diagnostic sentence. And the second step is to apply
the diagnostic sentence to the pairs of words given in the options to identify which fits in best.

Illustrative Example

ECSTACY : PLEASURE
A. Hatred : Condemnation
B. Affection : Adoration
C. Rage : Anger
D. Anger : Emotion

Step-1: Formulate the Diagnostic Sentence

Is 'ECSTACY (noun)' a synonym of 'PLEASURE (noun)'? No, though a thesausus may show them as
synonyms. 'ECSTACY' means 'great or overwhelming PLEASURE'. So the diagnostic sentence should be fine-
tuned to: ECSTACY (noun) is a higher degree or extreme form of PLEASURE (noun).

Step-2: Apply Diagnostic Sentence to Given Options and Choose the Best One

Option A: Is 'hatred' a higher degree or extreme form of 'condemnation'? No. 'Hatred' can probably lead to
'condemnation' or be the cause of it; hence it does not fit.
Option B: 'Affection' and 'adoration' look like synonyms or 'adoration' can be considered a higher degree of
'affection' or 'affection' can grow over time to 'adoration'?? You may be tempted to select this option. But it is
clearly an option trap. Only if you reverse the order and put 'adoration' first—'Adoration : Affection', then it fits
in the diagnostic sentence, not otherwise.
Option C: 'Rage' is clearly a higher degree or extreme form of 'anger' and fits perfectly in the diagnostic
sentence and in the correct order, unlike option B.
Option D: Is 'anger' an extreme form of 'emotion'? No, 'anger' is a type of 'emotion' and hence does not fit.

Analogical Relationships

The crucial step is to formulate the diagnostic sentence as precisely as possible by exploring possible
relationships. It would, therefore, be useful to familiarize yourself with the common relationships used to form
verbal analogies. Here is a fairly exhaustive list with numerous examples covering different variations within a
'relationship-type':

1. Type-1: Synonyms
a) 'Opulent (adjective)' is a synonym of 'Affluent (adjective)'.
b) 'Obesity (noun)' is a synonym of 'Corpulence (noun)'
c) 'Benevolent (adjective)' is a synonym of 'Kind (adjective)' [IIFT-2013, Q. 75]
d) 'Indefatigable (adjective)' means 'Tireless (adjective)' [IIFT-2012, Q. 69]
e) 'Inveterate (adjective)' means 'Habitual (adjective)' [IIFT-2012, Q. 69]
f) 'Impuissance (noun)' is synonymous with 'Effete (adjective)' [IIFT-2010, Q. 90]
g) 'Insouciant (adjective)' is synonynous with 'Pococurante (adjective)' [IIFT-2010, Q. 91]

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 h) 'Gossamer (noun)' is a synonym variant of 'Tiffany (noun)' [IIFT-2010, Q. 91]
i) 'Activate (verb)' is synonymous with 'Detonate (verb)' [IIFT-2007, Q. 136]
j) 'Plentitude (noun)' is a synonym of 'Abundance (noun)' [IIFT-2007, Q. 137]

2. Type-2: Antonyms
a) 'Eulogy (noun)' is an antonym of 'Diatribe (noun)'.
b) 'Diligent (adjective)' is opposite in meaning to 'Lackadaisical (adjective)'
c) 'Cacophony (noun)' is the complementary antonym of 'Euphony (noun)' [IIFT-2015, Q. 95]
d) 'Alleviate (verb) is the opposite of 'Aggravate (verb)' [IIFT-2013, Q. 74]
e) 'Travesty (noun)' is opposite in meaning to 'Paragon (noun)' [IIFT-2008, Q. 109]
f) 'Contrite (adjective)' is opposite in meaning to 'Obdurate (adjective)' [IIFT-2008, Q. 110]

3. Type-3: Part-to-Whole; One of a Group; Member of a Class; Type-of; Consists of

a) 'Scene (noun)' is part of a 'Play (noun)'.
b) 'Sonnet (noun)' is a type of 'Poem (noun)'.
c) 'Sculptor (noun)' is a member of the class of 'Artists (noun)'.
d) 'Ottoman (noun)' is an item of 'Furniture (noun)'.
e) 'Coffer (noun)' consists of or holds 'Valuables (noun)' [IIFT-2017, Q. 29]
f) 'Communication (noun)' is made up of 'Messages (noun)' [IIFT-2007, Q. 135]
g) 'Expression (noun)' consists of or is made up of 'Words (noun)' [IIFT-2007, Q. 135]

4. Type-4: Defining Characteristic; Lack of...is a Defining Characteristic of...; Defined by

a) 'Doubt (noun)' is a defining characteristic of 'Scepticism (noun)'.
b) 'Atruism (noun)' is a defining characteristic of a 'Philanthropist (noun)'
OR a 'Philanthropist (noun)' is inspired or motivated by 'Altruism (noun)'.
c) Lack of any 'Flaw (noun)' is the defining characteristic of 'Perfection (noun)'.
d) A 'Ruthless (adjective)' person lacks 'Sympathy (noun)'
OR lack of 'Sympathy (noun)' is a defining characteristic of a 'Ruthless (adjective)' person.
e) Anything 'Inadvertent (adjective)' is done without or lacks 'Thought (noun)'.
f) Anything 'Apocryphal (adjective)' lacks or is without 'Corroboration (noun)' [IIFT-2017, Q. 30]
g) 'Misanthrope (noun)' is defined by a hatred for 'Humanity (noun)' [IIFT-2012, Q. 70]

5. Type-5: Sequence; Cause-and-Effect; Action-Consequence; Reaction to a Thing

a) 'Engagement (noun)' comes before a 'Marriage (noun)'.
b) 'Virus (noun)' is the cause of a 'Disease (noun)'.
c) 'Pesticide (noun)' prevents (causes the lack of) 'Insects (noun)'.
d) Anything 'Grisly (adjective)' will make you 'Recoil (verb)' in horror or disgust.
e) Anything 'Heartrending (adjective) will make you 'Weep (verb)'.
f) 'Fret (verb)' is to cause or raise 'Disquietitude (noun)' [IIFT-2017, Q. 28]
g) 'Ruffle (verb)' is to disturb or negatively affect someone's 'Equanimity (noun)' [IIFT-2014, Q. 27]

6. Type-6: Manner of
a) 'Saunter (verb) is to 'Walk (verb)' in a slow, relaxed manner.
b) 'Bustle (verb)' is to 'Move (verb)' in an energetic or busy manner.
c) 'Chatter (verb)' is to 'Talk (verb)' in a quick, uninterrupted manner.
d) 'Mumble (verb)' is to speak in an 'Indistinct (adjective)' manner [IIFT-2014, Q. 26]
e) 'Mutter (verb)' is to speak in an 'Indistinct (adjective)' manner [IIFT-2008, Q. 112]

7. Type-7: Degree of
a) 'Whiff (noun)' is a small degree of or brief or faint smell of 'Scent (noun)'
b) 'Puff (noun)' is a small quantity of 'Smoke (noun)'
c) 'Epic (noun)' is a long 'Story (noun)'.
d) 'Hurricane (noun)' is a more powerful 'Breeze (noun)'.
e) 'Peccadillo (noun)' is a small (not grave) 'Flaw (noun)' [IIFT-2008, Q. 111]

8. Type-8: Degree of Intensity

a) 'Interest (noun)' is a lower degree of intensity than 'Fascination (noun)'.
b) 'Hate (verb)' is a lower degree of intensity than 'Abhor (verb)'.
c) 'Blame (verb)' is a lower degree of intensity than 'Condemn (verb)'
d) 'Lampoon (verb)' is a higher degree of intensity than 'Criticize (verb)'.

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 e) 'Adore (verb)' is a higher degree of intensity than 'Like (verb)'.
f) 'Niggardly (adjective)' is a higher degree of intensity than 'Parsimonious (adjective)'.
g) 'Dampen (verb)' is lower degree of intensity than 'Drench (verb)'.
h) 'Simmer (verb)' is lower degree of itensity than 'Boil (verb)'.

9. Type-9: Function of; Purpose of; Meant or Intended to

a) The function of an 'Argument (noun)' is to 'Persuade (verb)'
OR an 'Argument (noun)' is meant to or intended to 'Persuade (verb)'.
b) The function of a 'Ruse (noun)' is to 'Deceive (verb)'
OR a 'Ruse (noun)' is meant to or intended to 'Deceive (verb)'
c) The function of 'Training (noun)' is to build 'Skills (noun)'.
d) The role of 'Mnemonic (noun)' is to aid 'Memory (noun)'.

10. Type-10: Sign of; Action-Significance

a) 'Squirming (verb)' is a sign of 'Discomfort (noun)'.
b) 'Bleaming (verb)' is a sign of 'Delight (noun)'.
c) 'Glowering (verb)' is a sign of 'Anger (noun)'.
d) A 'Frown (noun)' is a sign of or conveys 'Disapproval (noun)'.

11. Type-11: Place for

a) 'Casino (noun)' is a place for 'Gambling (noun)'.
b) 'Quarry (noun)' is a place for mining 'Rock (noun)'.
c) 'Quiver (noun)' is a place where 'Arrows (noun)' are stored.
d) 'Atelier (noun)' is a place where an 'Artist (noun)' works.

12. Type-12: Spurious or Defective or Negative form of

a) 'Smirk (noun)' is a spurious (complacent and conceited) 'Smile (noun)'.
b) 'Bravado (noun)' is spurious (false) 'Bravery (noun)'.
c) 'Stalking (verb)' is a spurious (secret and indecent) form of 'Following (verb)'.
d) 'Eavesdropping (verb)' is a spurious (secret and undesirable) form of 'Listening (verb)'

13. Type-13: Collocations (Certain Words Go With Certain Words)

a) One would 'Skirt (avoid)' an 'Issue', but 'Dodge (avoid) an 'Encounter'.
b) One would 'Allay (lessen)' 'Pain', but 'Mitigate (lessen)' 'Punishment'.
c) One would 'Scotch (put an end to)' a 'Rumour', but 'Suppress (put an end to)' a 'Riot'.
d) One would 'Censure' something 'Reprehensible', and 'Prize' something 'Valuable'.

14. Type-14: Symbol and Representation

a) 'Laurel Wreath (noun)' is a symbol of 'Victory (noun)'.
b) 'Olive Branch (noun)' is a symbol of 'Peace (noun)'

...and so on.

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