Know exactly what each word guarantees — nothing more, nothing less
Try these first, then watch the video below.
"Some birds can swim."
Which of the following can we 100% support?
"Some" = at least one. We know for certain that at least one bird can swim. We cannot conclude exactly 5 — "some" only tells us "at least one," not a specific number.
"Most students passed the exam."
Which of the following can we 100% support?
"Most" = more than 50%. We know more than half passed. We cannot jump to "all" — "most" leaves room for some who didn't pass.
"Every employee must complete the training."
Which of the following can we 100% support?
"Every" = all = 100%. No exceptions. Every single employee must complete it. (B) directly contradicts the statement — if every employee must, then none are exempt.
Video 1: Some, Most, All — coming soon
Try these first, then watch the video below.
"Many residents opposed the new policy."
Which of the following can we 100% support?
"Many" = some = at least one. It feels like a lot, but on the LSAT, "many" only guarantees "some." We cannot conclude "most" — that requires more than 50%.
"Nearly all applicants were qualified."
Which of the following can we 100% support?
"Nearly all" = at least most, close to 100%. We can definitely say most were qualified. But "nearly" tells us it's not quite all — so (B) goes too far.
Video 2: Many, Nearly All — coming soon
Try these first, then watch the video below.
"Students who study generally pass the exam."
Which of the following can we 100% support?
"Generally" = most. More than half, but not all. "All" is too strong — "generally" leaves room for exceptions.
"Flights from this airport usually depart on time."
Which of the following can we 100% support?
"Usually" = most = more than 50%. Same as "generally." We know more than half depart on time, but "always" goes too far.
"This intersection frequently has accidents."
Which of the following can we 100% support?
"Frequently" = at least some. We know accidents happen there, but "frequently" is ambiguous — it's unclear whether it reaches 50%. Safely translate it as "some" on the LSAT.
Video 3: Generally, Usually, Frequently — coming soon
Your cheat sheet for translating LSAT language. Bookmark this page and come back to it while practicing.
| All, every, each, any, whoever, anything that, whatever | 100% — no exceptions |
| Always, invariably, inevitably | = All (100%) |
| Nearly all | At least most, close to 100% but not all |
| Most | More than 50% |
| Generally, usually | = Most (more than 50%) |
| Some, at least one | At least one — could be 1, could be all |
| Many | = Some (at least one) |
| Frequently | At least some — unclear if it reaches 50% |