Square of Opposition Relation – UGC NET Question

In the classical square of opposition, A (universal affirmative: “All S are P”) and O (particular negative: “Some S are not P”) are contradictories. This means they cannot both be true and cannot both be false; exactly one of them must be true at any time. Their truth values always oppose each other. This sharp opposition is what defines the contradictory relation.

Option A:
Option A, A and E, are contraries; they cannot both be true, but they can both be false if, for example, some S are P and some are not.

Option B:
Option B, A and I, stand in a relation of subalternation, where truth can flow from universal to particular, but they are not contradictories.

Option C:
Option C correctly selects A and O as contradictories, and similarly E and I form another contradictory pair in the square.

Option D:
Option D, I and O, are subcontraries; they cannot both be false, but they can both be true, so they are not contradictories.