The Figure of Speech in English Grammar

What is a Figure of Speech?

Understanding Figures of Speech

A figure of speech is a departure from the ordinary use of language to enhance its impact. Also referred to as a rhetorical figure, it alters a statement from its literal meaning or common usage to create a specific effect. This technique often emphasizes, decorates, or clarifies language in both written and spoken forms. Figures of speech are prevalent in literature, advertisements, slogans, newspapers, magazines, cartoons, and more.

Figures of speech capture attention and highlight their purpose, often making comparisons and adding dramatic elements to writing or speaking. These figurative expressions may involve a single word or phrase and include devices such as similes, metaphors, or personifications that convey meanings beyond their literal interpretation. They are usually categorized into different schemes, which are patterns of word arrangement. The four primary operations to achieve the desired effect include:

• Addition: Also known as repetition, expansion, or superabundance.

• Omission: Also known as subtraction, abridgement, or lack.

• Transposition: Also known as transfer.

• Permutation: Also known as switching, interchange, substitution, or transmutation.

Figures of speech are diverse and serve to use language in a way that creates a specific impact. Examples include expressions like "the mouth of a river," "round and round," "the eye of a needle," "a stream of abuse," "money talks," "butterflies in the stomach," and "painful pride." These can be found across literature, poetry, movies, and speeches.

Importance of Figures of Speech

Figures of speech enhance the beauty of writing by adding depth and leaving readers with a sense of wonder. They bring vibrancy to the language, reflecting the writer's intent and purpose. By adding flavour to the text, they make reading more engaging and enjoyable.

Figures of speech can be classified into five major categories:

1. Figures of Resemblance: Also known as figures of relationship, including similes, metaphors, and kennings.

2. Figures of Emphasis: Also known as figures of understatement, such as hyperboles.

3. Figures of Sound: Utilizing alliteration.

4. Verbal Games: Also known as gymnastics, including puns.

5. Errors: Created by malapropisms, often resulting from blunders.

These categories illustrate the various ways figures of speech can be employed to achieve different rhetorical effects.

There are five major categories of figures of speech, as below:

1. Figures of resemblance: It is also known as the figure of relationship. It is made up of simile, metaphor, or kenning.

2. Figures of emphasis: It is also known as a figure of an understatement. It is made up of hyperbole.

3. Figures of sound: It uses alliteration.

4. Verbal games: It is also known as gymnastics. It includes puns.

5. Errors: It is created by malapropism and is usually generated because of a blunder.

Types of Figures of Speech

Below are the various Types of Figures of Speech for your easy reference:

1. Simile - In a simile, two things that are completely unlocked are compared with each other. A simile is introduced by words such as like, so, as, etc.

Examples-

• The flower is as pretty as a picture.

• He is as sober as a judge.

• The floor was as slippery as an eel.

• They looked like peas in a pod.

• He eats like a pig.

2. Metaphor - When you compare two unlike or different things or ideas, it is known as a metaphor. It is an informal or implied simile in which the words ‘like’ ‘as’ are avoided. For example, He is like a Giant - Simile and He is a Giant - Metaphor.

Examples-

• You are the apple of my eye.

• Ocean’s sound is music to my ear.

• Heart of gold.

• He is a night owl.

• Time is money.

3. Personification - In personification, non-living objects, abstract concepts, or qualities are attributed human or living characteristics.

Examples-

• The angry clouds enveloped the island.

• The earth yearned for rain.

• The flowers conversed with them in the garden.

• The wind howled throughout the night.

• The snowflakes danced in the moonlight.

4. Apostrophe - In this figure of speech, the writer mentions the absent or inanimate objects as alive and writes about them.

Example -

• “O, Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?”

• “Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are”

• “Walter, remember when the world was young and all the girls knew Walter's name? Walter, isn't it a shame the way our little world has changed.”

5. Oxymoron - An Oxymoron is when two words are used together in a sentence but they seem to be in contrast with each other.

An oxymoron is a figure of speech that deliberately combines two contrasting ideas. This juxtaposition creates a paradoxical image in the reader's or listener's mind, leading to a new or nuanced meaning.

Examples-

• Life is bittersweet.

• They could sense the joyful sadness upon his arrival.

• Sweet sorrow.

• Peaceful force.

• Jumbo shrimp.

6. Hyperbole - Hyperbole is when you use words to exaggerate what you mean or emphasise a point. It is used to make something seem bigger or more important than it is.

Example-

• It has been ages since I have had a proper meal.

• Usain Bolt runs faster than the wind.

• I could do this forever.

• She’s older than this world.

• Everybody knows me.

7. Pun - A pun is generally used in plays where one word has two different meanings. It is used to create humour. Humorous use of words of different meanings or words of the same sound but different meanings is known as Pun.

Example-

• A bicycle can’t stand on its own because it is two-tired.

• Where do you find giant snails? On the ends of the giants' fingers.

8. Alliteration - It is a series of words, which commence with the same letter. Alliteration consists of the repetition of a sound or of a letter at the beginning of two or more words.

Example-

• Dirty dolphins dove across the ocean.

• Purple pandas painted portraits.

• She sells seashells.

• Nick needed new notebooks.

• Fred fried frogs’ legs on Friday.

9. Onomatopoeia - It is the figure of speech where the word is used to describe a sound. When we explain any action by putting the sounds into language, it is known as onomatopoeia. It is generally used in fiction or in nursery rhymes, for eg- Old Macdonald had a farm E-I-E-I-O. Words like whoosh, splat, buzz, oink, click, etc., are used to create this effect.

Example-

• I could hear the leaves rustling and the wind howling.

• Bam! He hit the truck at a speed of 80 mph.

10. Anaphora - When many phrases or verses start with the same word, it is known as anaphora.

Example-

• I came, I saw, I conquered.

• We shall not stop. We shall go on and on. We shall move forward.

11. Assonance - When we use repetition of vowel sounds, it is known as assonance.

Example-

• Thee

12. Euphemism - It is known as a euphemism when we replace blunt, offensive, or harsh terms with soft, mild, vague, or indirect terms.

Examples-

• Saying "letting you go" instead of "firing."

• Describing someone as "a little thin on top" rather than "bald."

• Referring to someone as having "passed away" instead of "died" or "killed."

• Using the phrase "stick to the truth" instead of directly calling someone a "liar."

13. Irony - If you use terms that contrast with what you say and what you do, it is known as irony. It’s like a difference between what is said and what is meant.

14. Synecdoche - If a part is represented by a whole or a whole is represented by a part, it is known as synecdoche.

Example-

• Colgate – any toothpaste

• Wheels – a car

• Employed people – workers

• The traffic – many vehicles

15. Understatement - When you try to say or show something of no importance or less importance.

Example-

• Referring to a big wound as just a scratch

• Saying it a little dry instead of dessert

• Referring to big destruction as just an accident

Classification of Figures of Speech

Figures of speech can be categorised based on their functions within sentences. The main classifications are:

1. Showing a Relationship or Resemblance

This category includes figures of speech that create comparisons to illustrate relationships or similarities. Examples are similes, metaphors, personification, euphemism, metonymy, and synecdoche.

2. Showing Phonetic Resemblances and Representing Sounds

Figures of speech in this category include alliteration, assonance, and onomatopoeia. Alliteration and assonance use similar-sounding words or repeating consonant and vowel sounds to create effects, while onomatopoeia uses words that mimic actual sounds.

3. Showing Emphasis or Unimportance

These figures of speech are used to highlight or downplay the significance of something. Examples include hyperbole, antithesis, oxymoron, irony, and litotes. Each of these figures serves to emphasise or diminish the importance of a concept.

The Figure of Speech Chart

Here’s the figure of speech chart, summarising various figures of speech, their definitions, and examples for your easy reference:

Tips for Using The Figure of Speech In English Grammar

• Know the Purpose: Understand exactly what is a figure of speech, the type and purpose of each figure of speech to use them effectively.

• Enhance Descriptions: Use the figure of speech with examples, to create vivid imagery and enhance descriptions in your writing.

• Consider Your Audience: Ensure your figures of speech are appropriate and understandable for your intended audience.

• Avoid Overuse: Use the figure of speech with examples, to maintain their impact and avoid confusing your readers.

• Balance and Revise: Balance figurative language with literal content and revise your work to ensure clarity and relevance.

Test Your Knowledge: Figures of Speech

Fill in the blanks with the correct figure of speech from the options provided. Check your answers at the end.

1. "The world's a stage."
   This sentence is an example of a:
   a. Metaphor
   b. Simile
   c. Personification

2. "Her smile was as bright as the sun."
   This sentence is an example of a:
   a. Hyperbole
   b. Simile
   c. Irony

3. "The wind whispered through the trees."
   This sentence is an example of:
   a. Onomatopoeia
   b. Personification
   c. Metonymy

4. "He is the king of the classroom."
   This sentence uses:
   a. Euphemism
   b. Synecdoche
   c. Metaphor

5. "She was crying rivers of tears."
   This sentence is an example of:
   a. Hyperbole
   b. Oxymoron
   c. Assonance

Test Your Knowledge: Correct Answers

1. a. Metaphor

2. b. Simile

3. b. Personification

4. c. Metaphor

5. a. Hyperbole

Takeaways from this Article

• Understanding Figures of Speech: Figures of speech are literary devices that enhance language by creating vivid imagery, emphasising ideas, or adding stylistic flair. They include metaphors, similes, personification, and more.

• Categorisation of Figures of Speech: Figures of speech can be categorised based on their functions, such as showing relationships (e.g., similes and metaphors), representing sounds (e.g., alliteration and onomatopoeia), or emphasising importance (e.g., hyperbole and irony).

• Practical Applications: Using figures of speech effectively can make writing more engaging and expressive.

• Balance and Clarity: Overuse or misuse can lead to confusion or diminish their impact. Strive for clarity and relevance in your application.

• Examples and Practise: Familiarising yourself with examples of figures of speech and practising their use in different contexts will enhance your ability to apply them effectively in both writing and speaking.