Word Formation

Definition: In word formation questions you are given a word and must decide which smaller words can be made using only its letters, each letter used no more than the number of times it appears.

The Core Rule

A candidate word is valid only if every one of its letters is present in the source word with enough repetitions. If the source word has a single "E", you cannot build a word needing two "E"s.

Common Question Types

• "Which word cannot be formed from the letters of ROTATION?"
• "Using the first, fourth and seventh letters of a word, what meaningful word forms?"

Real-world example: This is the exact logic of the game Scrabble or "make words from a long word" — a familiar skill tested under time pressure.

Step-by-Step Approach

1. Write the source word's letters and tally how many times each appears.
2. For each option, check letter by letter: does the source contain every letter, in sufficient quantity?
3. The moment one letter is missing or over-used, reject that option — this is usually faster than proving a word can be formed.

Letter-Position Questions

When asked for "the 2nd, 5th and 6th letters", number the letters first (write 1,2,3… above them) to avoid miscounting under exam pressure. Then read off the required positions and rearrange into a meaningful word.

Time-Saving Tip

Scan options for an unusual letter (like Q, X, Z). If that letter is not in the source word, eliminate the option instantly without checking the rest.

Example 1. Which word cannot be formed from the letters of "TRIANGLE"?

• Letters available: T, R, I, A, N, G, L, E.
• RETAIN → R,E,T,A,I,N ✓ all present.
• LARGE → L,A,R,G,E ✓.
• GREATER → needs two "R"s, but TRIANGLE has only one → cannot be formed.

Example 2. In the word "STRANGE", if the 1st and 2nd letters are interchanged, likewise 3rd and 4th, and so on, what is the new 4th letter?

• STRANGE → positions: S(1) T(2) R(3) A(4) N(5) G(6) E(7).
• After swapping pairs (1-2, 3-4, 5-6): T S A R G N E. The 4th letter is R.

Quick-revision notes for Word Formation — the must-know points for SSC CGL Tier-I/II.

• Word-formation questions ask whether a meaningful word can be built from the letters of a given word, or which letters cannot form one.
• Check each option against the available letters — you may use a letter only as many times as it appears in the source word.
• Common sub-type: which position/letter is Nth from left/right after arranging the word's letters alphabetically.
• "Meaningful word from 1st, 3rd, 5th… letters" — pick the stated letters in order, then rearrange to test for a valid word.
• If more than one word is possible, the answer is usually "more than one" or a specified count.
• Scan quickly for common short words (3-4 letters) hidden inside longer words to save time.

Cover the answer, recall, then check. 6 cards on the must-know Word Formation facts for SSC CGL.

Q1. Can the word "TEAM" be formed from the letters of "MATERIAL"?
A1. No for repeated letters beyond supply, but TEAM uses T,E,A,M — all present in MATERIAL, so yes it can be formed.

Q2. Rule for how many times you may reuse a letter?
A2. Only as many times as that letter appears in the source word.

Q3. From "STREAM", can you form "MASTER"?
A3. Yes — M,A,S,T,E,R all appear once in STREAM.

Q4. How to attempt "meaningful word from 2nd, 4th, 6th letters"?
A4. Extract those exact letters in order, then rearrange them to check if a valid dictionary word results.

Q5. Quick strategy to save time in word-formation?
A5. Look for short common words (3–4 letters) embedded in the given word before testing longer options.

Q6. If two valid words can be formed, what is usually the answer choice?
A6. "More than one" (or the exact count of possible words).