Grammatical context determines meaning. Language rules ensure that words are read in their proper syntactical relationships.
1. The Maxim: Ejusdem Generis
Ejusdem Generis means "of the same kind."
🛡️ Rule: When specific words describing a particular class or genus are followed by general words, the general words must be restricted in meaning to the same genus as the specific words.
- Example: If a statute regulates "cows, sheep, goats, and other animals," the general words "other animals" are restricted to domestic farm animals and cannot include wild lions or tigers.
- Landmark Case: State of Bombay v. Ali Gulshan (1955): The Supreme Court held that the rule of ejusdem generis only applies when there is a distinct genus or category. If the preceding specific words do not belong to a single common genus, the rule has no application.
2. The Maxim: Noscitur a Sociis
Noscitur a Sociis means "known by its associates."
- Rule: The meaning of a doubtful word must be determined by looking at the words surrounding it (the company it keeps).
- Example: If the word "plant" appears in a section alongside "machinery, tools, and factories," it must be interpreted as an industrial plant, not a green botanical organism.
3. Key Subsidiary Maxims
- Expressio Unius Est Exclusio Alterius: The express mention of one thing implies the exclusion of another. (e.g., if a rule applies explicitly to "public limited companies," it excludes private companies by implication).
- Ut Res Magis Valeat Quam Pereat: It is better for a thing to have effect than to perish. Courts must adopt a construction that makes the statute active and constitutional, rather than void or redundant.
- Reddendo Singula Singulis: Distributing words to their respective subjects. (e.g., "Any man and woman who shall make a will or bear a child" is read distributively as man makes a will, woman bears a child).