Figures of speech are most commonly used in the English language. These rhetorical devices allow the writer to add some unusual effect to the writing. The writer might want to create humor, add emphasis, or compare unrelated things in the writing, or a character might want to address unresponding things or a deceased person. In that case, a figure of speech is used.
In this article, you will learn what a figure of speech is, what the different types of figures of speech are, and Examples of figures of speech in English sentences.
A figure of speech is an expression used to have a greater effect on your reader or listener. It uses comparisons, contrasts, associations, exaggeration, and construction to give a much clearer picture of what you want to convey.
When figures of speech are used in language, it is collectively known as figurative language. Novels, poems, plays, and essays are great examples of figurative language.
The opposite of figurative language is literal language, which is a type of straightforward writing. The most common examples of literal language are on road signs, in office memos, and in research papers.
Types of Figures of Speech
1. Alliteration
Alliteration is the repeating of consonant sounds right next to each other, which creates a memorable or melodic effect.
Examples:
- She sells seashells by the seashore.
- Bob brought the box of bricks to the basement.
2. Antithesis
Antithesis is a literary technique that places opposite things or ideas next to one another to draw out their contrast.
Examples:
- “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times . . .” – Charles
3. Apostrophe
The apostrophe is used when a character addresses someone or something that cannot respond or is not present. It might be the situation when a character addresses to a deceased person or inanimate thing, or ideas.
Apostrophe as a figure of speech is when a character addresses someone of something that isn’t present or cannot respond. The character might speak to someone deceased, an inanimate object, or a concept.
Examples:
- “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” – William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
4. Circumlocution
Circumlocution is the use of a purposely wordy description. You can thin of it as talking in circles.Â
Examples:
- “He Who Must Not Be Named.”
5. Epigram
An epigram is a clever and memorable statement. You will find epigrams in speeches, poetry, and at the front of a book.
Examples:
- No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. – Eleanor Roosevelt.
6. Euphemism
A euphemism is a way to say something in an understated manner, often to avoid difficult topics -like money, death, or sex.
Examples:
- She sells seashells by the seashore.
7. Hyperbole
Hyperbole is an exaggeration made deliberately to add emphasis, excitement, or urgency. it is used to create a comic effect in the statement. See the examples below of hyperbole.
Examples:
- If I don’t eat soon, I’m going to die of hunger.
- My backpack weighs a ton.
- I m so hungry I could eat a horse.Â
- He has a lion heart.
8. Irony
Irony is a situation that subverts a reader’s expectations.
Examples:
- The food is as hot as ice.Â
- His hands are as clean as mud.
9. Litotes
Litotes use a double negative to make a positive statement.
Examples:
- He is not wrong.
- It is not a bad idea.
10. Metaphor
A metaphor directly compares dissimilar things, creating more vivid imagery or understanding. It compares unrelated things by telling us that one thing is another thing.
Examples:
- He was an onion; she had to peel back the layers to understand him.
- It’s raining cats and dogs.
- Life is a highway.
- He is a shining star.Â
- My life is an open book.
11. Metonymy
In metonym, a word that is associated with something is used to describe the thing associated. In simple words, a word associated with something is used to describe the thing with which the word was associated. Such a crown is related to a king or queen. We use the word crown to represent a king or queen in the sentence.
Examples:
- I thought his movies were better when they weren’t so Hollywood.
- The pen is mightier than the sword.
- We are reading William Wordsworth.
12. Onomatopoeia
In onomatopoeia, a word describes sounds. Some examples of onomatopoeia are hiss, buzz, roar, and tweet.
Examples:
- I woke up when I heard cock a doodle do of neighbor’s rooster.Â
- The bee is buzzing around the flower.
- The lion roars.
- The dog barked at the stranger.
- The train is approaching, and I can hear a choo-choo sound.
13. Oxymoron
An oxymoron is a figure of speech that describes a thing by using two contradictory words or phrases to produce a new meaning in the sentence.
Examples:
- Those cookies are awfully good.Â
14. Paradox
A paradox is a statement that appears to contradict itself but contains some truth, theme, or humor.
Examples:
- Less is more.Â
- I am going hurt you, but you will be better up
- All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others. – Goerge Orwell, Animal Farm
15. Personification
Personification is when human traits or qualities are attributed to nonhuman things.
Examples:
- The floorboards groaned under the weight of each step.
- The opportunity knocked at his door.
- The wind is whispering in my years.
16. Pleonasm
Pleonasm is the use of more words than necessary to convey meaning. A writer might use pleonasm for humor or emphasis, or they might not realize they are using extra words at all.
Examples:
- The burning fire warmed the whole house.
17. Pun
A pun is the most commonly used figure of speech. It is a form of wordplay in which words are substituted with similar words with different meanings.
Examples:
- Denial ain’t just a river in Egypt.
18. Simile
A simile compares two dissimilar things using “like” or “as.” The goal of simile is to give the reader a more vivid understanding of something.
Examples:
- It was the first real summer day, and when she returned indoors, she was as red as a tomato.
- As light as a feather.
- He works like a machine.
19. Synecdoche
In synecdoche, a smaller part or unit represents the whole or a bigger unit or vice versa.
Examples:
- Pakistan and India are playing the final match.
20. Understatement
Understatement is the intentioanl downplaying of a situation. This can create a humorous or deadpan effect in writing.
Examples:
- It rained a bit last night.Â
- That cookie was pretty good.
Examples of Figure of Speech
- Rachel is as bright as the sun. Simile
- The whole world is a stage. metaphor
- The wind whispered in my ears. personificationÂ
- O William, you should be living now to see all this. Apostrophe
- Sally sold some seashells. AlliterationÂ
- I seem to like your little green trees. Assonance
- I am so hungry I could eat a horse. hyperbole
- Euthanizing their sick pet dog was considered as an actor fo kind cruelty. Oxymoron
- The child is the father of man. Epigram
- A fire station burned down yesterday. Irony
- Life depends upon the liver. PunÂ
- the Bench decided that the man is guilty. Metonymy
- We need more hands to help us move this cupboard. Synecdoche
- She had a sleepless night. Transferred Epithet.
Final Thoughts on Figure of Speech
Figure of speech are words or phrases that are used to create a rhetorical effect in writing. There are different types of figures of speech used in English, such as alliteration, pun, understatement, personification, and more.Â
Figure of Speech FAQs
What is figure of speech in English?
A figure of speech is a deliberate manipulation of ordinary language in order to create a literary effect.
What is the purpose of using figure of speech?
The purpose of using the figure of speech is to create a rhetorical effect in writing.
Is Irony a figure of speech?
Yes. Irony is a figure of speech in which words convey a meaning opposite to what is said.
I hope this article helped you to learn what is figure of speech in English language, types of figure of speech, and examples of each types to elaborate the use of figure of speech in English language.Â
If you liked it, then please subscribe to our newsletter for more updates and the latest blog posts.
You can also see articles on grammar, vocabulary, and learning tips to improve your English language skills.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
More Reading
- What is a Simile in English?
- What is a Metaphor?
- List of 100 Similes in English