There are a variety of ways in which words can be related. Luckily for you, the SAT seems only partially aware of this fact: a few relationships appear on the test much more frequently than others. Creating a sentence to define a relationship becomes easier when you recognize an analogy as a particular kind of analogy—becoming familiar with the different sorts of analogies is therefore a very good idea.

The following table outlines, in order of frequency, the twelve most common types of analogies found on the SAT:

Though we’ve given you this list, we have to be honest—the science of categorizing SAT analogies is not perfect. Some categories do overlap slightly. However, if you become comfortable with these categories and are able to identify whether a particular analogy fits into one of them, it will usually make creating a sentence much simpler. And the better you are at creating a good sentence, the faster and more accurately you will be able to move through the two analogy sections.

Function analogies relate an object and the purpose for which it is used. A very simple example would be CHAINSAW : TREE—the purpose of a chainsaw is to cut down trees. Almost all function analogies follow the model of CHAINSAW : TREE, in which the analogy is NOUN : NOUN and the sentence you produce includes a verb that describes how one noun functions by acting upon the other. In the CHAINSAW : TREE example, the verb you have to supply is “cut down.” However, we’ve found a few instances of NOUN : VERB function analogies, such as CHAINSAW : CUT. In these instances, the sentence you produce would be something more general, such as, “The purpose of a chainsaw is to cut.”

The correct answer is (D). The function of a LAMP is to provide LIGHT, just as the function of a mentor is to provide guidance.

The correct answer is (B). The function of a LIE is to DECEIVE, just as the function of speech is to communicate. The only answer choice that should have given you trouble here is (E). But while an eye can glance, glancing is not the function of an eye; seeing is the eye’s function.

There are three types of part/whole analogies, all of which are related. The first involves a particular thing and a larger structure or entity completely composed of a number of the original things. Consider an example like SOLDIER : ARMY—an army is made up of many soldiers. The second involves a thing and a larger structure of which that thing is a part, though that larger entity is not composed entirely of the original thing. For example, TOE : FOOT. The third is very similar to the second, but it involves a further spatial dimension. For example, ROOF : HOUSE—a roof is the part of a house located at the top of the house.

The correct answer is (C). A FOREST is made up of many TREES, just as a troupe is made up of many actors.

The correct answer is (B). A PETAL is part of a FLOWER (though the flower is not made up entirely of petals), just as nose is a part of the head.

The correct answer is (D). The ROOF is the highest part of a HOUSE, just as the summit is the highest part of a mountain.

Characteristic action analogies in the form NOUN : NOUN relate something and what that thing (or being) typically does. In the examples below, note that not only is the vocabulary harder for the difficult example, the relation between the stem words is also more sophisticated.

The correct answer is (C). A NOVELIST makes a BOOK, just as a weaver makes cloth.

The correct answer is (D). An ICONOCLAST dislikes and fights against CONVENTION, just as an anarchist dislikes and opposes government.

Sometimes you might see characteristic action analogies in the form ADJECTIVE : VERB. In these cases, the adjective describes a person or thing, and the verb is something that person or thing characteristically does.

The correct answer is (D). A DISSATISFIED person COMPLAINS, just as a curious person inquires.

This type of analogy describes a thing or state of being and a second thing or state of being that is similar but smaller or larger in size or degree.

The correct answer is (A). A POKE is a much weaker touch than a PUNCH, just as a murmur is much weaker sound than a shout. You might have been tempted by the answer choice stink : smell, but that choice is not best answer because the relationship between stink and smell is one of type, not degree. A stink is a bad smell.

The correct answer is (E). To be LUDICROUS is to be extremely SILLY, just as to be emaciated is to be extremely thin.

In type analogies, one stem word names a category into which the other typically fits. For the moderately difficult type questions, the relation between the two words may be a little more complicated. For example, in the stem pair NIGHTMARE : DREAM, a nightmare is a bad or ominous kind of dream. The SAT almost never includes difficult type analogies.

The correct answer is (A). A BANANA is a type of FRUIT, just as a lung is a type of organ.

The correct answer is (D). ANGUISH is an intense and unpleasant type of EMOTION, just as burning is an intense and unpleasant type of sensation.

In this type of analogy, one of the stem pair words describes a typical location or event at which the other word can be found. These analogies are generally simple. Only rarely will you find one in the difficult last third of an analogy group.

The correct answer is (E). A HORSE stays in a STABLE, just as a guest stays in a hotel.

In attribute analogies, one word describes an integral characteristic of the other word. Attribute analogies often involve difficult vocabulary and can be quite subtle.

The correct answer is (C). An attribute of a DICTATOR is POWER, just as an attribute of a neophyte is inexperience. Another way to write this sentence would be, “A dictator could not be a dictator if he did not have power, just as a neophyte could not be a neophyte if he was not inexperienced.”

Description analogies are unlike any other type. Description analogies come in the form ADJECTIVE : NOUN, in which the adjective modifies or describes the noun in some specific way. The answer pair must contain an adjective that modifies a noun in a similar way. Note that this type of analogy isn’t so much about a relation between the words—it’s more about the suitability of the adjective as a descriptor of the noun.

The correct answer is (D). A GUTTURAL SOUND is rough, just as a coarse texture is rough.

In cause and effect analogies, one word is an action, result, or situation that the other word creates or stops. Such analogies can follow one of three forms: NOUN : NOUN; VERB : NOUN; or VERB : ADJECTIVE.

In NOUN : NOUN cause and effect analogies, one of the nouns is an object that causes or stops the second noun:

The correct answer is (D). A BANDAGE stops the flow of BLOOD, just as a dam stops the flow of a river.

In VERB : NOUN cause and effect analogies, the verb describes an action committed upon the noun, somehow causing the noun to be changed:

The correct answer is (B). To SHEAR a SHEEP is to remove its outer covering, just as to peel an apple is to remove its outer covering.

In VERB : ADJECTIVE cause and effect analogies, the verb describes an action, and the adjective describes the effect of the verb:

The correct answer is (A). When you EXPAND something, you make it LARGER, just as when you abridge something you make it shorter.

Lack analogies follow two basic forms: NOUN : NOUN or ADJECTIVE : NOUN. In NOUN : NOUN lack analogies, one noun describes something that the other noun, by definition, lacks:

The correct answer is (C). A DROUGHT involves a lack of WATER, just as a plague involves a lack of health.

In ADJECTIVE : NOUN lack analogies, the adjective describes a state of being, and the noun describes what is lacking in order to make that state of being a reality. ADJECTIVE : NOUN lack analogies are usually a little harder than NOUN : NOUN lack analogies because the ADJECTIVE : NOUN versions tend to use somewhat harder vocabulary:

The correct answer is (B). To be LISTLESS is to lack ENERGY, just as to be frigid is to lack warmth.

In this type of analogy, one word is a person or thing and the other is what that person or thing uses. Characteristic use analogies are always NOUN : NOUN. Often one of the nouns is a tool used by the other, such as CAMERA : PHOTOGRAPHER. These analogies are usually either easy or moderately difficult.

The correct answer is (D). A PAINTER uses a PALETTE as part of his job, just as a jockey uses a saddle as part of his job. (Note that barber : scissors is a trick, since its order is flipped.)

About ¹/ ₆ of the analogies you will encounter on practice SATs—and on the real thing—will not fit into any of the 11 categories we have defined. If you come upon an analogy that doesn’t seem to fit, don’t worry. The process you should follow is exactly the same. Create a sentence that defines the relationship between the stem words, and then apply that sentence to the answer choices.