All about figures of speech

Discover "All About Figures of Speech"—definitions, meanings, and tips to identify common and uncommon figures of speech in text. Boost your language skills! 

What is meant by 
figures of speech?

Figures of speech are the ornaments of the language. Just as we use ornaments to enhance our beauty, figures of speech make the writing of prose or poetry much more interesting. A figure of speech embellishes and strengthens both the written and oral text. Figures of speech are departures from the direct way of speaking or writing intended to explain, emphasize, elucidate and embellish what is being said.

Uses of figures of speech

1. In poetry for the sake of vividness.
2. In prose to give added effect or beauty to what is said.
3. To make the text catchy and to highlight the specific text both in public speech or written form
4. To make a comparison and create a dramatic factor
5. To convey meaning other than the literal meaning
6. To make the sentences deeper and more wonderful
7. To add flavour to the language and make it much more enjoyable

Figures of speech may be categorized as follows:

A) Based on comparison:

1. Simile
2. Metaphor 
3. Personification
4. Apostrophe 

B) Based on contrast:

1. Antithesis
2. Oxymoron
3. Epigram
4. Paradox
5. Euphemism
6. Irony or Sarcasm
7. Litotes

C) Based on construction :

1. Exclamation 
2. Interrogation
3. Climax
4. Anticlimax or bathos
5. Hyperbole 
6. Tautology or pleonasm
7. Transferred epithet
8. Repetition
9. Inversion                  
10. Anaphora
11. Circumlocution
12. Enjambment 

D) Based on sound :

1. Alliteration
2. Pun
3.  Onomatopoeia
4. Consonance
5. Assonance

E) Based on connection :

1. Synecdoche
2.  Metonymy

So let's discuss them in detail.

A) Based on a comparison

1  Simile -

An explicit comparison is made between two unlike objects having at least one aspect in common. It means two objects are of different kinds but alike at least in one point.

A simile is a figure of speech where two  things are compared directly with "'like' or 'as

For example:

On the race track, Geeta was as swift as a cheetah. 

 Here, Geeta and cheetah are two unlike objects but swiftness in running is common.

Some more examples -

1. He looks very cheerful like a rose.
2. I wandered lonely as a cloud.
3. He roared like a lion.

{Note - 

A comparison between two objects of the same kind is not a simile but a simple comparison.

 for example-  Smitha is as clever as Hema.}

2  Metaphor - 

A figure of speech where the comparison between two things is implied. 

There is a comparison of one thing with another without the words 'like' or 'as'

A metaphor is also called an implied simile.

For example: 

Be careful, this man is a snake in the grass, he will cheat you one day.

Here, the man is implicitly compared to a snake.

Some more examples-

1. Life is not a bed of roses.
2. Camel is the ship of the desert.
3. Infancy is the dawn of life.

{ Note the difference-

Camel is like a ship in the desert. -Simile 

Camel is the ship of a desert. - metaphor}

3  Personification -

Personification is a figure of speech in which non-human objects, animals, ideas, or abstract concepts are given human qualities, characteristics, or actions.

For example: 

The wind whispered its secrets in my ears.

Here, the wind is given a human quality of whispering.

Some more examples-

The waves beside them danced.
Anxiety is sitting on her face.

The sun sank into the ocean in all its glory.

4  Apostrophe -

A figure of speech in which non-human things are addressed as humans or people who are dead are addressed as if they were alive. 

Here, inanimate objects, ideas, or qualities or dead ones are treated as persons but more importantly,  they are directly addressed as if they were capable of hearing.

 

For example -

O Death! Where is thy sting?

Here, Death is directly addressed as if it were a living being and present in front of the speaker.

Some more examples-

1. Come back to me, O Helen, in the pride of thy beauty.
2. O wind, why do you sing so loudly?
3. Fair daffodils, we weep to see you haste away so soon.

{Note - 

This should not be confused with personification.

In  a personification, you talk about a non-human thing as if it were human, whereas in an apostrophe you talk to a non-human thing as if it were human 

For example-

 

The tree wrapped its branches lovingly over the orphans. - personification 

O tree,  will you wrap your branches lovingly over the orphans? - apostrophe

B) Based on contrast

5  Antithesis -

A figure of speech where two opposite ideas or two words are present in one line is known as antithesis. The mere presence of two opposite words does not form an antithesis, it should present an opposite theory. 

For example -

To error is human, to forgive is divine. 

Here, two sets of opposite ideas viz.' to error 'and 'to forgive'  as well as ' human' and 'divine' are used in the same sentence for effect.

Some more examples -

1. It is difficult to describe, but easy to recognize.
2. Many are called, but few are chosen.
3. United we stand, divided we fall.

6  Oxymoron -

In the oxymoron, there is a seeming contradiction between two words placed next to each other. An adjective is added to a word of quite a contrary meaning.

For example - 

He is regularly irregular.

Here, a person's habit of being irregular is modified by the use of its opposite word which functions as an adjective 'regularly'.

Some more examples -

1. It is an open secret.
2. He is honestly dishonest.
3. Parting is a feeling of sweet sorrow.

7 Epigram - 

An epigram is a brief pointed statement frequently introducing antithetical ideas that excite surprise and arrest attention. It is like a proverb.

For example - 

Failures are the stepping stones to success.

Here, 

We can write some paragraphs and expand the term in detail. Such sentences are epigrammatic sentences.

Some more examples -

1. A gift is never little.
2. The child is the father of the man.
3. Familiarity breeds contempt.

8  Paradox -

The paradox is a figure of speech in which truth is conveyed in the form of an apparent absurdity or contradiction.

For example - 

The king is dead; long live the king.

Here, the contradiction is in wishing the king a long life when he is dead. But on a closer examination of the statement, we find that it contains an important truth. What is wished is that the fame and glory of the king continue and the wish assumes greater effect by way of contradiction.

Some more examples - 

1. There is no one so poor as a wealthy miser.
2. He is the best teacher who teaches nothing.
3. The greatest pleasure of travel is the arrival at home.

 

9 Euphemism or Circumlocution

When some Harsh idea is expressed in mild terms, that figure of speech is called euphemism. In other words, favourable or pleasing terms are used to express unpleasant or bad things.

For example -

Alas! He is no more.

Here, instead of saying that he has died, it is so said that he is no more.

Some more examples:

 1. You have come late for the last time today. 

(The above-mentioned sentence is much better than "You will not come late in the future.")

2.  Entry for pass-holders only"

(This sentence is more polite than '

Those without passes should not enter.'

10. Irony or Sarcasm

The irony is the use of words exactly opposite of what we want to express. By this figure, therefore, we say one thing but mean just the opposite.

For example-

A very fine friend you are to open my secret!

Here, the friend is called a fine friend but it is the opposite of a fine friend because he/she has opened a secret.

Some more examples-

1. He left me to the tender mercy of my enemy.
2. He was the cleverest general that ever lost a battle.
3. Such a good cook, you are to leave everyone hungry.

11. Litotes

Litotes is the use of a negative to express a strong affirmative of the opposite kind. 

For example-

I am no fool.

Here, the speaker wants to say that he is clever and sensible.

Some other examples-

1. It's no fun to be sick.
2. He is no dullard.
3. We had no small difficulty in finding this house.

C) Based on construction :

12 Exclamation 

When the exclamatory form is used to draw greater attention to a point instead of a simple statement it is called an exclamation.

For example-

How beautiful your handwriting is!

Here, instead of saying simply that handwriting is beautiful, the exclamatory sentence is used for emphasis.

Some more examples-

1. What a beautiful sunset!
2. How sweetly you sing!
3. Only if I were young again!

13 Interrogation-

When a statement is thrown into the form of a question for the rhetorical effect where no answer is expected, then it is called interrogation.

For example-

What is the use of such richness?

Here, the uses of richness are not expected. Instead, the speaker wants to convey that there is no use for such richness. But the simple statement will not be as forceful as the question. So when the speaker wants to make a point more effectively he uses rhetorical questions.

Some more examples-

Who is here so vile that will not love his country?

Can two talk together except they agreed?

How can you spend a month without money?

14 Climax

When the words, phrases, events, or ideas are arranged in the rising order of increasing importance the figure of speech is called the climax.

For example-

I came, I saw, I conquered.

Here, the ideas are arranged in increasing order.

Some more examples -

Sings plays, and entertains me night and day.

I have no rest, nor joy nor peace.

He knelt on the chair, prayed, and fell asleep.

15 Anticlimax or bathos

Anti-climax is the opposite of climax. It is a sudden and ludicrous descent from higher to lower. (Ideas are arranged in descending or decreasing order of importance.) It is chiefly used for satirical purposes.

For example-

She lost her husband, her child, her dog, her purse, and her handkerchief.

Here, the words or ideas are not only in descending order but they express satire also.

Some more examples-

The soldiers fight for the country for glory and the Shilling every day.

He read me a lecture on honesty, gave me his blessings -and overcharged me sixpence in the bill.

She is the wisest, brightest and meanest of mankind.

16 Hyperbole or exaggeration or overstatement

 A figure of speech where there is an exaggeration.

For example: 

I have told you a thousand times that you should not talk in class.

Here, we find that the speaker has not necessarily told the exactly 1000 times. He/she just wants to say 'many times.

It is just an exaggerated idea.

Some more examples-

Mr. X has tons of money.

It is an age since we met.

Here's the smell of blood still; all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.

17 Understatement of Meiosis 

An understatement is a figure of speech in which a writer or speaker deliberately makes a situation seem less important or serious than it is. 

It is the opposite of hyperbole.

For example-

It rained a bit more than usual.

(For heavy rainfall)

Some more examples -

Nothing serious! I just have a little tumour in my brain.

The test was okay.

This pen is not bad at all.

18 Tautology or pleonasm

In this figure of speech, words with the same meaning are repeated that do not add clarity. In other words, we can say that tautology is the use of unnecessary words to express the same idea.

For Example-

Take some boiling hot water.

Here, boiling and hot are the same words. The word hot is added unnecessarily just for the poetic effect.

Some more examples-

Mother Earth said: Sing of the filth that the dirt.

His voice has a tone of monotony and sameness.

They returned to the same city.

19 Transferred epithet

Epithet means adjective. In this figure of speech, an epithet or adjective is transferred from its proper place to some other word closely connected with it, to which it does not belong.

For example-

We had a happy time.

Here, the word happy is describing time. But actually, time is not happy. We only mean to say that we passed our time happily. 

Here, the adjective happy is transferred from 'we' to 'time' for a better poetic effect.

Some more examples-

The man spent a restless night.

The ploughman homeward plods his weary way.

The prisoner was placed in the condemned cell.

20 Repetition

In this figure of speech, the words phrases, or ideas are repeated just for adding force and clarity and for a poetic effect.

For Example-

No stir in the air, no stir in the sea.

Here the phrase No ster is repeated just for musical effect and for creating force.

Some more examples-

So little they rose, so little they fell.

Water, water,  water

 here and there.

No pain, no gain.

 21 Inversion

In this figure of speech, words are not 

in the proper prose order. The normal order of words in a sentence is changed to gain more effect.

For example-

And over the bells, its warning rang.

The order of words is altered to create musical effect and force.

The normal prose order is

'And its warning rung over the bells.'

Some more examples-

 Now where we are I cannot tell 

The correct order is 

'I cannot tell who we are now.'

One dreadful sound could the Rower hear. 

The correct order is 

'The Rover could hear one dreadful sound.'

And to the Inchcape rock, they go.

The correct order is

'And they go to the Inchcape rock.'

22 Anaphora

In this figure of speech, a word or phrase repeats at the beginning of successive lines. That repetition is intentional and is used to add style and emphasis to text or speech.

Anaphora adds emphasis and emotion to words, and also makes them more memorable, and creates a sense of rhythm.

For example-

Indifference elicits no response. Indifference is not a response. Indifference is not a beginning; it is an end.

Here, the word 'indifference' is repeated and the beginning of successive lines.

Some more examples-

We craved to go to the beach. 

We craved to go into the ocean. 

We craved to go to the beachside bar for drinks.

They do not sweat and whine...

They do not lie awake in the dark...

They do not make me sick...

Not one is dissatisfied, not one is demented with

the mania of owning things.

Not one kneels to another, nor to his kind that

lived thousands of years ago,

Not one is respectable or unhappy over the whole earth.

D) Based on sound :

23 Enjambment

In Enjambment, lines end without punctuation and without completing a sentence or clause. When a poet uses enjambment, he or she continues a sentence beyond the end of the line into a subsequent line or lines.

For example-

When I see birches bend to the left and right

Across the lines of straighter darker trees,

I like to think some boy’s been swinging them.

But swinging doesn’t bend them down to stay

As ice storms do.

(Here, the lines do not end by the end of the lines.)

Some more examples -

Night of the Scorpion 

-by Nissim Ezekiel 

I remember the night my mother

was stung by a scorpion. Ten hours

of steady rain had driven him

to crawl beneath a sack of rice.

This is the best example of enjambment.

24  Alliteration

 A figure of speech in which there is the repetition of a sound in a line.

For example - 

I found green grapes on the green grass.

Hear the sound 'gr' repeated for amusement.

Some more examples-

• Betty bought a bit of butter, But the butter she bought was bitter, So Betty bought some better butter, To make the bitter butter better.
• Black background, brown background.
• She sells seashells on the seashore.
• Can you can a can as a canner can a can?

25 Pun

A pun is a play upon words.

It is the use of a word in such a way that it is capable of more than one application it means that it has more than one meaning.

For example-

When almost all was out, God made a stay,

Perceiving that alone of all His treasures Rest in the bottom lay.

These lines are from the poem 'Pulley' written by George Herbert.

Here the word 'rest' has two meanings.

Rest means comfort

And

Rest means remaining.

Both of the meanings are applicable in the same sentence.

God kept rest in the bottom i.e. comfort in the bottom.

God kept rest i.e. remaining things in the bottom.

Some more examples-

• Is life worth living? -It depends upon the liver.
• An ambassador is an honest man who lies abroad for the good of his country.
• Can a leopard change its spots? Yes, when it goes from one spot to another. 

26 Onomatopoeia (ऑनˌमैटˈपीआ)

A figure of speech where the word denotes a sound.

 

For example:

 All was quiet when 'crash' went a windowpane and 'thud' fell Mrs Banita!

Here, the underlined words denote sound. When we read these words we remember their sounds. So, it is onomatopoeia.

27 Consonance

Consonance is that figure of speech in which a consonant sound is repeated typically in the middle or at the end of the word.

For example-

I think I like pink.

Here, the consonant sound 'k' is repeated. 

{Note - If the same sound repeats at the beginning of the word it is alliteration.}

Some more examples -

• Mr. Nike likes his bike.
• The cat sat on the bat.
• The lad was bad, so the dad was sad.

28 Assonance

When a vowel sound is repeated (same as consonance),  typically in the middle or end of the word, it is called assonance.

For example-

Go slow over the road.

Here, the sound 'o' is repeated.

Some more examples -

• Mr. Nike likes his bike.
• The cat sat on the bat.
• The lad was bad, so the dad was sad.

All the above examples contain assonance also. Because they have vowel sound which is repeated.

E) Based on connection :

29 Synecdoche

In this figure of speech, there is the substitution of 

• a part for the whole or vice versa, 
• of an abstract noun for a concrete one or vice versa, 
• of an individual for a class or vice versa, 
• of the name of material of which a thing is made for the name of a thing itself.

For example-

His orchard's his bread.

Here, the bread stands for the entire meal.

Some more examples-

1. India won against Pakistan.

(Here, the whole country stands for only 11 members.)

2. I have bought a new set of wheels.

(Here, wheels stand for the whole that is a car)

3. Offer your hand to me.

(Here, offering the hand is in marriage.

So, it is part of the whole.)

 

 30 Metonymy

This means "a change of name" and is so-called because in this figure a thing is spoken of not by its name, but by the other name. A word or phrase is replaced with a similar word that represents it.

For example-

 You must address the chair.

Here the word chair represents the chairperson.

 

Some more examples-

The pen is mightier than the sword.

(Here, the pen is a symbol of writing and a sword for fighting or war.

Writing motivates a man to change internally but force or war cannot change his mind.)

We have read Milton.

(Here 'Milton' means Milton's writing.)

The school is coming out. 

(The school here symbolizes children in the school.)

The kettle boils.

Kettle means liquid in the kettle.

Thus Metonymy may result from the use of -

• The sign for the person or thing symbolized 
• The container for the thing contained
• The instrument for the agent
• Author for his works, etc.

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You should also go to these blogs-

• Determiners
• Tenses
• Three forms of Verbs
• Active and passive voice practice worksheet

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