Figures of Speech

What is Figures of Speech

Figures of speech in English Grammar are literary devices that add depth, imagery, and rhetorical effect to writing or speech. A type of representation (such as metaphors or symbolism) used to convey a message or strengthen the effect, often by correlating or classifying one thing with some other that has a sense of implication recognizable to the listener or the reader. They are used to enhance the expression of ideas, evoke emotions, create vivid descriptions, and engage the audience....

Definition of Figures of Speech

A figure of speech is a quasi-word or phrase used to create a result. This impact could be theoretical, as in the willful structure of words to achieve an artistic effect, or graphics, as in the use of vocabulary to suggest a vivid appearance or make an idea more dynamic. Figures of speech, in general, serve as poetic devices due to their imaginative use of language. Words are used in ways other than their original meaning or classic implementation....

Figure of Speech Meaning

A figure of speech is just a phrase or word used to bring English literature to daily life. It is a poetic device that produces visuals and improves expression. It is also recognized as the idiomatic color. Figures of speech are the fuel of the English literature and are what such butter is to bread....

Types of Figures of Speech

There are many types of Figures of speech some are discussed below:...

20 Figures of Speech With Examples

Simile Definition: A comparison between two different things using ‘like’ or ‘as’. Example: “Her smile was as bright as the sun.” Metaphor Definition: A direct comparison between two unrelated things without using ‘like’ or ‘as’. Example: “Time is a thief.” Personification Definition: Attributing human characteristics to non-human objects or abstract ideas. Example: “The wind whispered through the trees.” Hyperbole Definition: An exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally. Example: “I’ve told you a million times.” Understatement Definition: A statement that minimizes the importance of something. Example: “It’s just a scratch,” said of a large dent. Metonymy Definition: Referring to something by one of its attributes or associations. Example: “The pen is mightier than the sword.” Synecdoche Definition: A part of something represents the whole, or vice versa. Example: “All hands on deck.” Irony Definition: A statement that, because of its context, means its opposite. Example: A fire station burns down. Sarcasm Definition: Verbal irony intended to mock or convey contempt. Example: “Great, another rainy day. Just what I needed!” Alliteration Definition: The occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words. Example: “She sells seashells by the seashore.” Assonance Definition: The repetition of vowel sounds in non-rhyming words. Example: “The early bird catches the worm.” Consonance Definition: The repetition of consonant sounds, typically within or at the end of words. Example: “The lumpy, bumpy road.” Onomatopoeia Definition: A word that imitates the sound it represents. Example: “The bees buzzed.” Anaphora Definition: The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses. Example: “Every day, every night, in every way, I am getting better.” Epistrophe Definition: The repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses. Example: “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.” Euphemism Definition: A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt. Example: “Passed away” instead of “died.” Oxymoron Definition: A figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction. Example: “Deafening silence.” Paradox Definition: A seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition. Example: “This statement is false.” Pun Definition: A joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words that sound alike but have different meanings. Example: “I used to be a baker because I kneaded dough.” Allusion Definition: A brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance. Example: “He was a real Romeo with the ladies.”...

A Figure of Speech Chart

Type Definition Example Simile A phrase that differentiates two things Gresham runs like a horse Metaphor Two dissimilar things are compared You are my rainbow personification The representation of non-living objects things etc. Leaves were dancing in the rain Apostrophe Refers to absent or inanimate objects as if they were real. It’s a sunny day Oxymoron  Two words are used within a sentence and yet appear to conflict with one another Amitabh Bachchan acts naturally. Hyperbole Used to create something that looks much bigger or more significant than it is. My mom is my Goddess. Alliteration  The sequence of phrases that begin with a similar letter. My favorite fruit is fig. Onomatopoeia  The Phrase is employed to explain a sound. The cat meow as Riya calls her...

Classification of Figures of Speech

Figures of speech can be classified based on their functions within sentences. These classifications mainly encompass figures that:...

Importance of Figures of Speech

It adds to the writing’s charm. It deepens the statement and left the reader with a feeling of awe. It breathes life into the author’s words. The figure of Speech not just demonstrates the writer’s objective, but also shows his motivation for adopting such language. It enhances the text and makes it much more engaging for the reader....

Figures of Speech- FAQs

Q1. What are Figure of Speech?...