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Do you have as much to do as a busy bee? Why not take some time out of your packed schedule to educate yourself on how to make your verbal and written communication appear and sound extraordinary and interesting to the reader? There are a lot of different methods that you can make your language more intriguing and innovative. The use of metaphorical language is one of the most powerful ways to accomplish this task. In this article, you will learn what figures of speech are, their meaning and definition, the various forms of figures of speech, and how to successfully utilize them in sentences with examples. In addition, you will be exposed to numerous sorts of figures of speech.
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What Is a Figure of Speech?
A figure of speech is an expression that is utilized to make an even stronger influence on the person reading or listening to the expression. It entails engaging in activities such as contrasting, comparing, associating, exaggerating, and constructing ideas. In addition to this, it paints a far more accurate picture of what it is that you are attempting to say.
To get a much clearer understanding of what a figure of speech is, let us first look at how several dictionaries define the term “figure of speech.”
Definition of a Figure of Speech
A figure of speech is described as “a word or phrase employed in a different way from its regular meaning in order to generate a particular mental picture or impact,” as stated in the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary. A figure of speech is an expression, according to the definition provided by the Cambridge Dictionary, “that utilizes words to mean something that is different from their ordinary meaning.” One definition of a figure of speech offered by the Collins Dictionary describes it as “a statement or word that is employed with a metaphorical rather than a literal sense.”
A figure of speech is defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as “a form of expression (such as a simile or metaphor) used to convey meaning or heighten the effect.” This is typically accomplished by comparing or identifying one thing with another that has a meaning or connotation that is familiar to the reader or listener. Examples of figures of speech include: A figure of speech is described as “a phrase in which the words are utilized symbolically, not in their typical literal meaning,” as stated in the Macmillan Dictionary.
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Figures of Speech in English Grammar
1: Which of the sentences below is grammatically correct?
There are roughly fifteen to twenty figures of speech in English grammar. However, some of them are utilized more frequently than others. Let’s examine the most frequently employed figurative language.
- Simile
- Metaphor
- Personification
- Apostrophe
- Alliteration
- Assonance
- Hyperbole
- Euphemism
- Antithesis
- Oxymoron
- Epigram
- Irony
- Pun
- Metonymy
- Synecdoche
- Transferred Epithet
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Join Now!How to Use a Figure of Speech in English? – Points to Remember
You now see how much more lyrical, intriguing, and flamboyant your language may look and sound by using figures of speech. Learning the many figures of speech is not the difficult part; rather, it is knowing when, where, and how to employ them. It cannot be used everywhere you want. It will only improve your language if it is used correctly and in relevant and essential contexts.
It is not advised that you use figurative language in formal writing, such as essays, since figures of speech are not intended to convey information literally. It is crucial that you understand how to employ each figure of speech because they do not convey literal meanings. Knowing what it would imply when used in a certain context is more significant. The most important thing to remember when utilizing figures of speech is to only use them when they have the intended impact and meaning.
Classification of Figures of Speech
Based on how they work in sentences, the sorts of figures of speech can be identified. As a result, the primary categories are made up of those that:
- Show a Relationship or Resemblance
- Show Phonetic Resemblances and Representing Sounds
- Show Emphasis or Unimportance
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Showing a Relationship or Resemblance
This category comprises figurative language used to compare things in order to highlight a connection or certain similarities. The figures of speech employed for this include metaphors, personification, euphemism, metonymy, and synecdoche.
Showing Phonetic Resemblances and Representing Sounds
Alliteration, assonance, and onomatopoeia are examples of figures of speech in this category. In contrast to onomatopoeia, which uses words to mimic sounds, the first two figures of speech are employed to convey meaning by employing words that sound alike or that begin with the same consonant and vowel sounds.
Showing Emphasis or Unimportance
The figurative expressions that fall under this category are those that are intended to emphasize a point or demonstrate how significant or insignificant something is. Figures of speech such as hyperbole, antithesis, oxymoron, irony, and litotes can all be utilized effectively for the aforementioned objective.
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Examples of Figures of Speech
Here are a few examples of the different figures of speech in English grammar.
- Simile – Rachel is as bright as the sun.
- Metaphor – The whole world is a stage.
- Personification – The wind whispered in my ears.
- Apostrophe – O William, you should be living now to see all this.
- Alliteration – Sally sold some seashells.
- Assonance – I seem to like your little green trees.
- Hyperbole – I am so hungry I could eat a horse.
- Oxymoron – Euthanizing their sick pet dog was considered an act of kind cruelty.
- Epigram – The child is the father of the man.
- Irony – A fire station burned down yesterday.
- Pun – Life depends upon the liver.
- Metonymy – The Bench decided that the man is guilty.
- Synecdoche – We need more hands to help us move this cupboard.
- Transferred Epithet – She had a sleepless night.
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Frequently Asked Questions on Figures of Speech in English
What is a figure of speech?
A figure of speech is an expression that is utilized to make an even stronger influence on the person reading or listening to the expression. It entails engaging in activities such as contrasting, comparing, associating, exaggerating, and constructing ideas. In addition to this, it paints a far more accurate picture of what it is that you are attempting to say.
What is the definition of a figure of speech?
A figure of speech is described as “a word or phrase employed in a different way from its regular meaning in order to generate a particular mental picture or impact,” as stated in the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary. A figure of speech is an expression, according to the definition provided by the Cambridge Dictionary, “that utilizes words to mean something that is different from their ordinary meaning.” One definition of a figure of speech offered by the Collins Dictionary describes it as “a statement or word that is employed with a metaphorical rather than a literal sense.”
A figure of speech is defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as “a form of expression (such as a simile or metaphor) used to convey meaning or heighten the effect.” This is typically accomplished by comparing or identifying one thing with another that has a meaning or connotation that is familiar to the reader or listener. Examples of figures of speech include: A figure of speech is described as “a phrase in which the words are utilized symbolically, not in their typical literal meaning,” as stated in the Macmillan Dictionary.
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What are the different figures of speech in English?
Here is a list of the different figures of speech in English.
- Simile
- Metaphor
- Personification
- Apostrophe
- Alliteration
- Assonance
- Hyperbole
- Euphemism
- Antithesis
- Oxymoron
- Epigram
- Irony
- Pun
- Metonymy
- Synecdoche
- Transferred Epithet
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