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Syllogism is a part of logical reasoning, especially analytical reasoning. It consists of some statements, and candidates need to derive conclusions from the given statements. The statements and conclusions may seem to be illogical, but while solving questions related to syllogism in reasoning, candidates must assume the given statements to be 100% true.
Syllogism reasoning questions check the basic aptitude and ability of a candidate to derive inferences from given statements using step-by-step methods of solving problems. Let us now understand the various types of Syllogism from below.
Types of Syllogism in Reasoning
As now we know what is Syllogism, let us see the various types of syllogism questions in the reasoning section below.
1. Basic Syllogism
In these type of syllogism reasoning questions, the conclusions must be 100% true. Conclusions which are 99% true will be considered as False.
2. Either – or Case
In these type of syllogism reasoning questions, when the conclusions are not 100% true but the two given conclusions are 50% true then the either-or case will be formed.
3. Coded Syllogism
In these types of syllogism reasoning questions, statements and conclusions are given in coded form. Candidates need to decode the statements and conclusions to find the answer.
4. Sequential Syllogism
In these type of syllogism reasoning questions, statements are given followed by the options. Candidates need to choose the set in which the third statement can be logically deduced from the first two statements.
How to Solve Syllogism Questions in Reasoning– Tips and Tricks
Candidates can find various tips and syllogism logical reasoning tricks from below for solving the questions in this section.
Tip # 1: If a definite conclusion is false in any of the possible diagrams, then the definite conclusion is considered to be false.
Tip # 2: If all statements are positive, then all negative conclusions will be false in definite cases and vice versa.
Tip # 3: Subject and Predicate can interchange for the complementary pair “Some + No”
Tip # 4: In a syllogism reasoning problem, if two conclusions have the same subject & predicate and consist of a complementary pair but only one of the conclusions is true, then it will not form an either-or case. Do not consider “Some + Some” as a complementary pair for Either or case.
Tip # 5: If a possible conclusion is true in any one of the possible diagrams, then the possibility is considered to be true.
Tip # 6: “Only a few” means both conclusions are definitely true.
Therefore, the conclusion, some A are B and some A are not B will be definitely true.
Tip # 7: In a syllogism reasoning problem, complementary pairs for Either or case are, “Some + N” and “All + Some not”
Tip # 8: Both conclusions should consist of one of the above complementary pairs. Subject and Predicate of the two conclusions should be the same and they cannot interchange. The answer of both the conclusions should be can’t be said.
Tip # 9: Candidates need to keep the following things in mind while solving the syllogism based questions.
| Statement | Definite Conclusion | Possible Conclusion |
| All A are B | All A are B Some A are B .Some B are A | All B are A Some B are not A |
| Some A are B | Some A are B Some B are A | All A are B All B are ASome A are not B Some B are not A |
| Some A are not B | Some A are not B | Some A are B No A is B No B is ASome B are not AAll B are A |
| No A is B | No A is BNo B is A | No possibility is true |
Syllogism Sample Questions in Reasoning
Basic Syllogism:
Question 1:
Statements:
All roses are flowers.
Some flowers are red.
Conclusion:
I. Some roses are red.
II. All red things are roses.
Select the correct conclusion(s):
A) Only conclusion I
B) Only conclusion II
C) Both conclusions I and II
D) Neither conclusion I nor II
Answer:
A) Only conclusion I
Explanation:
Conclusion I is valid as it follows from the two statements (All roses are flowers, and some flowers are red). Conclusion II is not valid because we cannot infer that all red things are roses based on the given statements.
Question 2:
Statements:
All dogs are mammals.
Some mammals are carnivores.
Conclusion:
I. Some dogs are carnivores.
II. All carnivores are dogs.
Select the correct conclusion(s):
A) Only conclusion I
B) Only conclusion II
C) Both conclusions I and II
D) Neither conclusion I nor II
Answer:
D) Neither conclusion I nor II
Explanation:
Neither conclusion I nor II is valid based on the given statements. The first statement only establishes a relation between dogs and mammals, and the second statement establishes a relation between mammals and carnivores. We cannot directly relate dogs to carnivores based on the given information.
Either – or Case:
Question 3:
Statements:
All doctors are educated.
Some educated people are researchers.
Conclusion:
I. Some researchers are doctors.
II. Either some doctors are researchers, or all researchers are doctors.
Select the correct conclusion(s):
A) Only conclusion I
B) Only conclusion II
C) Both conclusions I and II
D) Neither conclusion I nor II
Answer:
B) Only conclusion II
Explanation:
Conclusion II is valid as it includes both possibilities based on the given statements. It covers the case where some doctors are researchers (as per the first conclusion) and also the possibility where all researchers are doctors (as per the second conclusion).
Question 4:
Statements:
All lions are fierce.
Some fierce animals are predators.
Conclusion:
I. Some lions are predators.
II. Either some predators are lions, or all lions are predators.
Select the correct conclusion(s):
A) Only conclusion I
B) Only conclusion II
C) Both conclusions I and II
D) Neither conclusion I nor II
Answer:
D) Neither conclusion I nor II
Explanation:
Neither conclusion I nor II is valid based on the given statements. The first statement establishes a relation between lions and being fierce, and the second statement establishes a relation between fierce animals and predators. We cannot directly relate lions to being predators based on the given information.
Coded Syllogism:
Question 5:
In a coded language, “pit na lo” means “red apple” and “lo pa re” means “juicy fruit.” What does “re ki” stand for in the same coded language?
A) apple red
B) fruit juicy
C) juicy red
D) red fruit
Answer:
C) juicy red
Explanation:
From the given coded language, “re” stands for “juicy,” and “ki” stands for “red.” Therefore, “re ki” translates to “juicy red.”
Question 6:
In a coded language, “so ta po” means “big blue sky” and “ta ma li” means “beautiful white flower.” What does “ma li” stand for in the same coded language?
A) white flower
B) beautiful sky
C) big white
D) beautiful big
Answer:
A) white flower
Explanation:
From the given coded language, “ma” stands for “beautiful,” and “li” stands for “flower.” Therefore, “ma li” translates to “beautiful white flower.”
Sequential Syllogism:
Question 7:
Arrange the following statements in a logical sequence:
I. All birds have wings.
II. Some birds are parrots.
III. All parrots can talk.
A) I, II, III
B) II, III, I
C) III, II, I
D) II, I, III
Answer:
A) I, II, III
Explanation:
The correct logical sequence is: All birds have wings (I) → Some birds are parrots (II) → All parrots can talk (III).
Question 8:
Arrange the following statements in a logical sequence:
I. All cars are vehicles.
II. Some vehicles are buses.
III. All buses are public transport.
A) II, I, III
B) III, II, I
C) I, III, II
D) I, II, III
Answer:
D) I, II, III
Explanation:
The correct logical sequence is: All cars are vehicles (I) → Some vehicles are buses (II) → All buses are public transport (III).