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English Grammar

Figures of Speech: Definition and Types with Examples

Rais Ahmad

December 16, 2022

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A figure of speech is a word or phrase that is used in a non-literal sense to add emphasis or artistic effect. For example, if someone says “the room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop,” they are using a figure of speech to exaggerate the silence in the room for emphasis.

Figures of speech are literary devices that are used to create a more imaginative and engaging way of speaking or writing. These literary devices are often used to create vivid images or to express complex ideas in a more concise and impactful way.

Some common examples of figures of speech include metaphors, similes, personification, hyperbole, and irony. These devices are often used in poetry and literature to add depth and meaning to the text.

Most Common Figures of Speech in English Grammar

There is no fixed number of figures of speech in English grammar. New figures of speech can be created and old ones can fall out of use, so the number is constantly changing. Additionally, different sources may classify figures of speech differently, so the number can vary depending on the criteria used. Some common figures of speech in English include:

A simile is a figure of speech in which one thing is compared to another thing using the words “like” or “as.” It is a way of describing something by stating that it is similar to something else.

Example: She sings like an angel.

“She sings like an angel” is a simile because it compares the way she sings to the way an angel would sing. Similarly, “He eats like a pig” is a simile because it compares his eating habits to those of a pig. Similes are often used in literature and everyday language to make descriptions more vivid and interesting.

A Metaphor is a figure of speech in which one thing is compared to another thing without using “like” or “as.” A metaphor describes something by saying that it is something else, even though it is not literally that thing.

Example: The world is a stage.

Someone might say “the world is a stage” to describe the way that people’s roles and experiences change over time.

Metaphors are a way of using language to create images and comparisons in order to help people better understand or experience something. They are often used in poetry and literature to create vivid, imaginative descriptions and to add depth and meaning to a piece of writing.

Personification is a figure of speech in which non-human things or abstract concepts are given human characteristics or qualities. This is done to help people understand or relate to these things in a more personal or familiar way.

Example: The leaves danced in the wind.

“The leaves danced in the wind” uses personification to give the leaves the ability to dance where’s the Dance is a human characteristic.

Example 2: The wind whispered through the trees.

“The wind whispered through the trees” uses personification to give the wind the ability to speak. This can make the sentence more vivid and imaginative, and help the reader picture the scene more easily.

Personification is often used in literature and poetry to add depth and interest to descriptions.

Alliteration is a figure of speech in which the first syllable of each word in a group of words is repeated. In more easy words, it is the repetition of the same sound at the beginning of successive words. This creates a musical and playful effect in the language, and can add emphasis or make the words more memorable.

Example: Sally sells seashells by the seashore

The phrase “Sally sells seashells by the seashore” uses alliteration with the repeated “s” sound. Alliteration is often used in poetry, song lyrics, and advertising slogans to create a catchy or memorable effect.

Assonance is a figure of speech in which the repetition of vowel sounds creates a pleasing effect. It is often used in poetry to create a musical or rhythmic effect, and to link words or phrases together.

Example: I saw a cat in a hat.

The line “I saw a cat in a hat” contains the assonance of the long “a” vowel sound in the words “cat,” “hat,” and “saw.” This repetition of the vowel sound creates a pleasing and musical effect.

Consonance is a figure of speech that involves the repetition of consonant sounds within a group of words. It is a way of using language to create a rhyming effect or to add emphasis and rhythm to language.

Example: She sells seashells by the seashore.

In this example, the consonant sound “s” is repeated in three different words, creating a consonance effect.

Other examples of consonance include: “The cat sat on the mat” (repeated “t” sounds); “Fuzzy wuzzy was a bear” (repeated “z” sound); and “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers” (repeated “p” sound).

Consonance is often used in literature, poetry, and song lyrics to create a rhythmic and musical effect, and it is a useful tool for writers and speakers to create emphasis and interest in language.

Anaphora is a figure of speech that involves the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences. It is a way of using language to create emphasis, rhythm, and structure in writing or speech.

Example: “We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.” (Winston Churchill).

In the above example, the repetition of the phrase “we shall fight” at the beginning of each clause creates an anaphora effect and adds emphasis and rhythm to the language.

Other example of anaphora: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair” (Charles Dickens).

In the above example, the repetition of the phrase “it was the” at the beginning of each clause creates an anaphora effect.

Anaphora is a common figure of speech that is used in literature, poetry, and everyday speech, and it is a useful tool for writers and speakers to create emphasis, structure, and rhythm in language.

Apostrophe is a figure of speech in which an absent or dead person is addressed as if they were present or alive. It is often used in poetry to address a person, thing, or idea that is not literally present.

Example: O all you host of heaven! O earth! What else?

In William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, the title character says, “O all you host of heaven! O earth! What else?” This is an example of an apostrophe because Hamlet is addressing the heavens and the earth as if they were present and could hear him.

A hyperbole is a figure of speech that uses exaggeration to create emphasis or effect. It is a way of expressing strong emotions or making a point in a more colorful and imaginative way.

Example: I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.

Someone might say “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse” to emphasize how hungry they are, even though they don’t actually want to eat a horse.

Example 2: I’ve told you a million times not to do that.

Another example might be saying “I’ve told you a million times” to emphasize how often something has been said, even if the actual number of times is less than a million.

Hyperboles are often used in everyday conversation and in literature to add humor, emphasis, or exaggeration.

Litotes is a figure of speech in which a negative statement is used to affirm a positive.

Example: That’s not a bad idea.

For instance, saying “That’s not a bad idea” is a form of litotes because it uses a negative (not) to affirm that the idea is good.

A euphemism is a figure of speech that is used to substitute a less offensive or more pleasant term for something that is considered unpleasant or harsh. It is a way of expressing something in a more indirect or subtle way, often to avoid causing offense or to make something sound more appealing.

For example, instead of saying “death,” a euphemism might be used, such as “passing away” or “departing this life.” Euphemisms are often used in situations where the subject matter is sensitive or difficult to discuss directly, such as when talking about death, illness, or sensitive topics like sex or racial issues.

Some common euphemisms include “passed on,” “expired,” “no longer with us,” “gone to a better place,” and “resting in peace.”

Euphemisms can be useful in helping to soften the impact of difficult or sensitive topics, but they can also be used to obscure or downplay the true nature of a situation, which can be misleading or even dishonest.

Antithesis is a figure of speech that involves the use of contrast or opposition in language to bring out the differences between two ideas or concepts. It often involves the use of a contrasting pair of words or phrases, placed in close proximity to each other, to create a strong contrast.

Example: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country” (John F. Kennedy).

In the above example, the antithesis is created by the contrast between “what your country can do for you” and “what you can do for your country.” The contrast between these two ideas highlights the idea that individuals have a responsibility to contribute to their country and not just expect their country to provide for them.

Other examples of antithesis include:

• “To be or not to be, that is the question” (William Shakespeare)
• “Love is an endless act of forgiveness. Forgiveness is an endless act of love” (Bryant H. McGill)
• “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” (Neil Armstrong)

Antithesis is a powerful rhetorical device that can be used to create emphasis, add depth and complexity to language, and engage the reader or listener’s attention.

A paradox is a figure of speech that involves a seemingly contradictory or absurd statement or situation that, upon closer examination, may in fact be true or at least contain a kernel of truth. It is a way of using language to express a concept that seems paradoxical or contradictory, but that may actually be true or contain some truth.

For example: “I always lie.” If this statement is true, then the speaker is not lying when they make this statement. If it is false, then the speaker is lying when they make this statement. This creates a paradox because the statement seems to contradict itself.

Paradoxes can be found in literature, poetry, and everyday speech, and they are often used to create a sense of mystery or to challenge the reader or listener to think about the meaning of the words being used.

Some other examples of paradoxes include:

1. “This sentence is false” (if the sentence is false, then it must be true, and vice versa)
2. “The faster I go, the behinder I get” (seems to contradict the idea of speed)
3. “The more I learn, the less I know” (seems to contradict the idea of learning)

Paradoxes are a powerful tool for writers and speakers to create interest, challenge the reader or listener’s assumptions, and add depth and complexity to the language.

An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two seemingly contradictory or opposing terms. It is a type of paradox that is created by combining two words that are opposite or incompatible in some way.

For example: “Jumbo shrimp,” “deafening silence,” and “sweet sorrow” are all oxymorons. In each of these examples, the two words that are combined are opposite or incompatible, creating a sense of contradiction or paradox.

Other examples of oxymorons include “virtual reality,” “living death,” “original copy,” and “exact estimate.”

Oxymorons can be found in literature, poetry, and everyday speech, and they are a powerful tool for writers and speakers to create meaning and add interest to their language.

An epigram is a brief, concise, and often witty or clever statement or expression that conveys a single idea or concept. It is a type of aphorism (a concise, memorable, and often philosophical statement) that is typically written in a few words or lines and is intended to be memorable and thought-provoking.

Epigrams are often used to make a point or to convey a message in a memorable and concise way. They are often used in literature, poetry, and speech to add depth, wit, and humor to the language.

Some examples of epigrams include:

1. “Brevity is the soul of wit” (William Shakespeare)
2. “I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it” (Thomas Jefferson)
3. “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing” (Edmund Burke)

Epigrams can be found in many different forms, including as quotes, poems, or short passages in literature. They are a powerful tool for writers and speakers to convey ideas and messages in a memorable and concise way.

Irony is a figure of speech that involves the use of words or expressions to convey a meaning that is the opposite of their literal meaning. It is a way of using language to express a contrast between what is said and what is meant, or between what is expected to happen and what actually happens.

There are three main types of irony:

1. Verbal irony: This involves saying one thing but meaning the opposite. For example: “Oh, that’s just great. Now we’re really in trouble.” (said sarcastically when something goes wrong)
2. Dramatic irony: This occurs when the audience or reader knows something that the characters in a story or play do not. For example: In the play “Romeo and Juliet,” the audience knows that Juliet is not really dead, but Romeo does not, and he kills himself in despair.
3. Situational irony: This involves a situation in which the outcome is the opposite of what was expected or intended. For example: A fire station burning down.

Irony is often used to create humor, to add depth and complexity to language, or to convey a sense of irony or sarcasm. It can be found in literature, poetry, and everyday speech, and is a powerful tool for writers and speakers to convey meaning and add interest to their language.

A pun is a figure of speech that involves the use of words that have multiple meanings or that sound similar to create a humorous or clever effect. It is a play on words that relies on the use of words that have more than one meaning or that sound similar to create a humorous or clever effect.

For example: “I used to be a baker, but I couldn’t make enough dough.” (The word “dough” can refer to both money and a type of raw material used in baking.)

Other examples of puns include:

1. “I’m reading a book on anti-gravity. It’s impossible to put down!” (The word “down” can refer to both the physical direction and the act of not being able to put a book down.)
2. “I used to be a math teacher, but I didn’t have the proper addition.” (The word “addition” can refer to both the mathematical operation and the act of adding something to something else.)

Puns can be found in literature, poetry, and everyday speech, and they are often used to create humor or to add wit and playfulness to language. Puns can be effective in engaging the reader or listener’s attention and adding interest to language, but they can also be seen as corny or overly clever.

Metonymy is a figure of speech that involves the use of a word or phrase to refer to something else that is closely associated with it, rather than using the thing itself. It is a way of using language to refer to something indirectly, by using a word or phrase that is closely associated with it.

For example, instead of saying “the White House,” a person might say “the Oval Office” to refer to the office of the President of the United States. “The Oval Office” is a metonymy because it is used to refer to the President and the seat of the executive branch of the US government, rather than the physical office itself.

Other examples of metonymy include:

1. “The pen is mightier than the sword” (the pen is used to refer to writing and the sword is used to refer to military force)
2. “Hollywood” (used to refer to the film industry in general)
3. “The crown” (used to refer to the monarch or the monarchy)

Metonymy is a common figure of speech that is used in literature, poetry, and everyday language, and it is a useful tool for writers and speakers to refer to things indirectly and add depth and complexity to language.

Synecdoche is a figure of speech that involves using a part of something to refer to the whole thing, or using the whole thing to refer to a part of it. It is a way of using language to refer to something indirectly, by using a part to represent the whole or vice versa.

For example, instead of saying “the car,” a person might say “the wheels” to refer to the car as a whole. In this example, “the wheels” is a synecdoche because it is used to refer to the car as a whole, rather than just the wheels themselves.

Other examples of synecdoche include:

1. “The suits” (used to refer to businesspeople)
2. “The White House” (used to refer to the US government or the President)
3. “The stage” (used to refer to the theater or the acting profession)

Synecdoche is a common figure of speech that is used in literature, poetry, and everyday language, and it is a useful tool for writers and speakers to refer to things indirectly and add depth and complexity to language.

Onomatopoeia is a figure of speech that involves the use of words that imitate or suggest the source of the sound they describe. It is a way of using words to represent sounds, and it is often used to create a more vivid and expressive language.

For example, words like “hiss,” “buzz,” “meow,” and “woof” are onomatopoeia because they represent the sounds that are made by snakes, bees, cats, and dogs, respectively.

Some other examples of onomatopoeia include: “splash,” “sizzle,” “boom,” and “whack.”

Onomatopoeia is a useful tool for writers and speakers to create a more expressive and imaginative language, and it can be an effective way of engaging the reader or listener’s attention and adding interest to language.