Analogies and Logical Relationships — CLAT Logical Reasoning
Some CLAT questions do not ask about the content of an argument at all — they ask about its shape. A parallel-reasoning question gives you an argument and asks which option reasons in the same way, even though it is about a different subject. To answer, you must strip away the topic and see the logical skeleton. This chapter trains that abstraction and the related skill of judging how statements relate.
1. Structure, not subject
The trick to parallel reasoning is to translate an argument into abstract form, replacing its nouns with symbols.
All dogs are mammals. Rex is a dog. So Rex is a mammal.
Abstracted: All A are B. X is an A. So X is a B. Any argument with that skeleton is parallel — regardless of whether it is about dogs, planets, or contracts.
Method: rewrite the given argument as a pattern (All A are B; some A are C; if P then Q…). Then test each option against that pattern. The match is the one with the same skeleton, not the same topic.
2. Common logical patterns to recognise
| Pattern | Form | Example shape |
|---|---|---|
| Universal syllogism | All A are B; X is A; so X is B | Category membership |
| Conditional (modus ponens) | If P then Q; P; so Q | Cause/consequence |
| Contrapositive (modus tollens) | If P then Q; not Q; so not P | Denying the result |
| Either–or | Either P or Q; not P; so Q | Elimination |
| Causal | X is followed by Y; so X causes Y | (often flawed) |
| Conditional chain | If P then Q; if Q then R; so if P then R | Linked conditions |
Recognising the pattern also flags whether the reasoning is valid or flawed — a parallel to a flawed argument must copy the same flaw.
3. Valid vs invalid conditional moves
CLAT loves the two invalid conditional patterns because they look plausible:
- ✔ Modus ponens — If P then Q; P is true; therefore Q. Valid.
- ✔ Modus tollens — If P then Q; Q is false; therefore P is false. Valid.
- ✗ Affirming the consequent — If P then Q; Q is true; therefore P. Invalid.
- ✗ Denying the antecedent — If P then Q; P is false; therefore Q is false. Invalid.
If it rained, the ground is wet. The ground is wet. So it rained. — Invalid (affirming the consequent): the ground could be wet from a sprinkler. A parallel-reasoning answer must match validity and invalidity — an argument that commits this error pairs with another that commits the same one.
4. Word analogies — the relationship is the key
A classic analogy asks: A is to B as C is to __ ? The skill is to name the precise relationship between A and B, then apply the identical relationship to C.
- Doctor : Hospital :: Teacher : ? → workplace relationship → School.
- Author : Book :: Composer : ? → creator-to-work → Symphony.
- Thermometer : Temperature :: Barometer : ? → instrument-to-what-it-measures → Pressure.
Precision wins: define the link in a short sentence ("a ___ is the place where a ___ works"). A vague link ("they're related") lets a wrong option slip through. If two options seem to fit, sharpen the relationship until only one survives.
5. Types of relationships to watch
- Category / kind — sparrow : bird (a kind of).
- Part / whole — wheel : car (a part of).
- Function / tool — knife : cut (used to).
- Cause / effect — germ : disease (leads to).
- Degree — warm : hot (increasing intensity).
- Worker / product — baker : bread (makes).
- Opposite / antonym — expand : contract.
Order matters: sparrow : bird is not the same direction as bird : sparrow. Keep the direction consistent when you apply the relationship to the second pair.
6. Exam protocol
- For parallel reasoning, abstract the argument into a pattern using symbols (A, B, P, Q).
- Note whether the pattern is valid or flawed — the match must copy both.
- Test each option against the skeleton, ignoring the topic entirely.
- For analogies, name the exact relationship in a sentence, then apply it in the same direction.
- When two options fit, sharpen the relationship until only one remains.
- Distrust matches based on subject similarity — same topic is a classic trap; same structure is the answer.
