INDIAN SCHOOL - FUJAIRAH
Types of Figures of Speech
There are different types of figures of speech and we are now going to look at
those types, what they are and how to use them by looking at some examples
of them being used in sentences.
Alliteration
Alliteration is when there is a repetition of sound within a phrase or sentence.
Here are some examples of alliteration in use.
She sells seashells on the seashore
Peter piper picked a peck of pickled pepper
The dog dug deeper into the depths.
Nicky’s necklace nipped at her neck.
Anaphora
Anaphora is when a word is repeated multiple times within a phrase. Here are
some examples of anaphora in use.
Every morning, every afternoon and every evening I walk by the lake.
He had one apple, one banana and one pear.
My life is happy, my life is simple, my life is complete.
Antithesis
Antithesis is applying a juxtaposition of ideas which are contrasting in a
statement that is balanced. Here are some examples of antithesis in use.
Man proposes and God deposes.
Love is an ideal thing and marriage is a real thing.
That is one small step for man and one huge leap for mankind.
Apostrophe
Apostrophe is speaking to an object or item that is not alive as if it were in
fact, alive. Here are some examples of apostrophe is use.
Oh come on you stupid door, just unlock.
Thank you oven, for helping me make this meal.
Come on trousers, you have to fit me.
Assonance
Assonance is the similarity in sound between vowels in the middle of
neighbouring words. Here are some examples of assonance in use.
How now, brown cow.
On the side of the hide.
Top of the pop
Chiasmus
Chiasmus is when two sentences are balanced against one another but with
the words reversed. Here are some examples of chiasmus in use.
Work to live and do not live to work.
She went to town, off to town went she.
You forget what you want to remember yet you remember what you
want to forget
Euphemism
Euphemism is the replacement of a phrase which might be deemed offensive
by one which implies the same meaning but does not carry offence with it.
Here are some examples of euphemism in use.
Instead of ‘he died’ you would say ‘he passed away.’
Instead of ‘she had an abortion’ you would say ‘she terminated the
pregnancy.’
Instead of ‘going for a poo’ you would say ‘going to use the bathroom.’
Hyperbole
Hyperbole is a term which uses an exaggeration to add a more dramatic
meaning to the sentence. Here are some examples of hyperbole in use.
My bag weighs a tonne.
His nose is the length of the river Nile.
I have a million things to do today.
Irony
Irony is a statement which conveys the exact opposite meaning of what is
literally being said. It is also a statement which contradicts the situation. Here
are some examples of irony in use.
The fire station burnt to the ground.
The pilot had a fear of flying.
‘What lovely weather.’ she said when it was raining
Litotes
Litotes is an understatement which applies a negative to express the meaning
of the affirmative. Here are some examples of litotes in use.
She isn’t the friendliest woman in the world.
I wasn’t unhappy with the gift
That dress is not too bad
Metaphor
Metaphor is when there is a comparison made between two different things
which share something in common. Here are some examples of metaphor in
use.
The world is your oyster.
She was the shining star of the talent show.
His eyes were ice.
Metonymy
Metonymy is when a phrase is replaced with another which has a similar
meaning, used to describe something in an indirect manner. Here are some
examples of metonymy in use.
The pen is more mighty than the sword.
I remain loyal to the crown.
My husband is considered a silver fox.
Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia is a word which resembles the sound it is describing. Here are
some examples of onomatopoeia in use.
The bacon sizzled in the pan.
My watch ticks loudly.
The crow cawed overhead.
Oxymoron
Oxymoron is when two words in a phrase contradict one another. Here are
some examples of oxymoron in use.
The girl next door is pretty ugly.
That cat is mighty small.
Our farewell was bittersweet.
Paradox
Paradox is a statement which contradicts itself. Here are some examples of
paradox in use.
He is a wise fool.
Deep down Anna is really shallow.
It is the beginning of the end.
Personification
Personification is when an object which is not alive is given human qualities.
Here are some examples of personification in use.
My car is a real beauty.
That rod will take out someones eye.
My alarm clock screams at me every morning.
Pun
A pun is a play on words, it uses a word to give a different sense to the
sentence and add a double meaning. Here are some examples of puns in use.
The two guitarists got on well as they were always in a chord.
I spend a lot of time doing DIY so I know the drill.
An egg for breakfast is not easy to beat.
Simile
Simile is a phrase which compares something to something else using the
words like or as. Here are some examples of simile in use.
Her hair was as golden as the sun
The dog is as fit as a fiddle.
I felt as high as a kite.
Synecdoche
Synecdoche is a statement in which only part of something is expressed to
relate to the whole. Here are some examples of synecdoche in use.
At school the children learn ABCs and 123s
He has just got some new wheel.
There were many hired hands in the factory.
Understatement
Understatement is a statement which is made to be less important than what
is actually being conveyed. Here are some examples of understatement in use.
The grand canyon is a hole in the ground.
I only have two million dollars.
There was a flood in the town, it must have rained a bit in the night.
Prepared by Mohammed Rafiq