What is Analogy?
The meaning of analogy is ‘similar properties’ or similarity. If an object, word, digit, or activity exhibits any similarity with another object, word, digit, or activity in terms of properties, type, shape, size, trait, etc., then the particular similarity is called an analogy. For example, cricket: ground and chess: table are analogous pairs (why?). Both pairs of words have a similar relationship in terms of place of playing, as cricket is played on the ground, and similarly, chess is played on the table.
In this chapter, we will discuss different types of analogy, as problems based on analogy are an essential category of questions to be asked in almost all competitive-level examinations.
Types of Analogy
Various types of Analogy are discussed below
Tools and object based analogy
This establishes a relationship between a tool and the object in which it works. Similar relations have to be discovered from the answer choices.
Examples
| Pen | Paper |
| Pencil | Paper |
| Saw | Wood |
| Scissors | Cloth |
| Eraser | Paper |
Synonym based analogy
In this type of analogy, two words have similar meanings.
Examples:
| Big | Large |
| Huge | Gigantic |
| Endless | Eternal |
| Thin | Slim |
| Notion | Idea |
| Benevolent | Kind |
| Huge | Big |
Worker and tool based analogy
This establishes a relationship between a particular tool and the person of that particular profession who uses that tool.
Examples
| Painter | Brush |
| Writer | Pen |
| Cricketer | Bat |
| Barber | Scissors |
| Hunter | Gun |
| Blacksmith | Hammer |
Worker and product based analogy
This type of analogy establishes a relationship between a person in a particular profession and their creations.
Examples
| Writer | Book |
| Batsman | Run |
| Author | Novel |
| Singer | Song |
| Poet | Poem |
| Journalist | News |
Causes and effect based analogy.
In such a type of analogy, the first word acts and the second word is the effect of that action.
Examples
| Bath | Freshness |
| Work | Tiredness |
| Shoot | Kill |
| Race | Fatigue |
Opposite relationship (Antonym) based analogy
In such a type of analogy, the two pairs are opposite in meaning. Similar relations must be identified from the answer choice word pairs.
Examples
| Poor | Rich |
| Fat | Slim |
| Tall | Short |
| Big | Small |
| Light | Dark |
| Avoid | Meet |
Gender based analogy
In such an analogy, one word is masculine and the other is feminine. It is a ‘male and female’ or’gender’ relationship.
| Man | Woman |
| Biy | Girl |
| Nephew | Niece |
| Bull | Cow |
| Duck | Drake |
Classification based analogy
This type of analogy is based on biological, physical, chemical, or any other classification. In such problems, the first word may be classified by the second word and vice versa.
Examples
| Cow | Animal |
| Girl | Human |
| Oxygen | Gas |
| Water | Liquid |
| Snake | Reptile |
| Parrot | Bird |
Function based analogy
In such a type of analogy, the second word describes the function of the first word and vice versa.
Examples
| Singer | Sings |
| General | Commands |
| Player | Plays |
| Surgeon | Operates |
Quantity and unit based analogy
In such a type of analogy, the second word is the unit of the first word and vice versa
Examples
| Distance | Mile |
| Mass | Kilogram |
| Length | Meter |
Finished product and raw material based analogy
In such a type of analogy, the first word is the raw material, and the second word is the end product of that raw material, and vice versa.
Example
| Yarn | Fabric |
| Milk | Curd |
| Flour | Bread |
| Latex | Rubber |
| Grape | Wine |
| Fruit | Juice |
Utility based analogy
In such a type of analogy, the second word shows the purpose of the first word or vice versa.
Examples
| Pen | Writing |
| Food | Eating |
| Chair | Sitting |
| Bed | Sleeping |
| Bat | Playing |
Symbolic relationship based analogy
In such a type of analogy, the first word is the symbol of the second word and vice versa.
Examples
| White | Peace |
| Red | Danger |
| Black | Sorrow |
| Red cross | Hospital |
| Swastika | Fortune |
Adult and young one based analogy
In such a type of analogy, the first word is the adult one, and the second word is the young ones of the first word, and vice versa.
| Cow | Calf |
| Human | Child |
| Dog | Puppy |
| Duck | Duckling |
Subject and specialist based analogy
In such a type of analogy, the second word is the specialist of the first word (Subject) or vice versa.
| Heart | Cardiologist |
| Skin | Dermatologist |
Habit based analogy
In this type of analogy, the second word is the habit of the first and vice versa.
Examples
| Cat | Omnivorous |
| Tiger | Carnivorous |
| Cow | Herbivorous |
| Goat | Herbivorous |
Instrument and measurement based analogy
We see in this type of analogy that the first word is the instrument to measure the second word, and vice versa.
Examples
| Hygrometer | Humidity |
| Barometer | Pressure |
| Thermometer | Temperature |
| Sphygmomanometer | Blood pressure |
Individual and group based analogy
The second word is the group of the first word (or vice versa) in such a type of analogy.
Examples
| Cow | Herd |
| Sheep | Flack |
| Grapes | Bunch |
| Singer | Chorus |
State and capital based analogy
The first word is the state, and the second word is the capital of that state (First word) (or vice versa) in the analogy like this.
Examples
| Bihar | Patna |
| West Bengal | Kolkata |
| Maharashtra | Mumbai |
| Karnataka | Bengluru |
Note: Analogy based on country and capital is very similar to this type of analogy in which we put name of the country in place of the name of state and country capital in place of state capital.
For example India: New Delhi and Nepal: Kathmandu.
Analogy based on individual and dwelling place
In such a type of analogy, the first word is the individual (first word) and vice versa.
Examples
| Horse | Stable |
| Bee | Apiary |
| Dog | Kennel |
| Birds | Aviary |
| Monk | Monastery |
| Human | House |
Analogy based on worker and working place
In this type of analogy, the first word represents a person in a particular profession, and the second word describes the workplace of that person (or vice versa).
Examples
| Doctor | Hospital |
| Clerk | Office |
| Cook | Kitchen |
| Prefessor | College |
| Teacher | School |
Analogy based on topiic study
The first word is the study of the second word (vice versa) in the analogy, as shown here.
Examples
| Birds | Ornithology |
| Earthquakes | Seismology |
| Eggs | Zoology |
Analogy based on letters (or meaningless words)
Case I: (Forward alphabet sequence)
Examples
CD:FG::PQ:UV
Here, CD and FG are in the natural alphabetical sequence. Similarly, PQ and UV are in the natural sequence.
Case II: (Backward or opposite alphabetical sequence)
Example:
DC: GF:: QP: VU
This case is the opposite of case I
Case III: (Vowel-consonant relation)
Example
Atl: EVX :: IPR: ORS
Here, the first two words start with the first two vowels A and E, and the following two words start with the following two vowels I and O. The Last two letters of every word are consonants.
