Figurative Language

Types of figurative language

Introduction.
Simile and metaphor
Idioms
Hyperbole
Personification
Alliteration
Onomatopoeia
Clich
Pun
Irony
Figurative Language Quiz
Credits
 Introduction
As you first begin to learn English, you start talking about very concrete things. You
say exactly what you mean.

But as your English improves, you can start to use jokes, exaggerations, common
expressions, and puns. All of these are examples of figurative language.

What does figurative mean?

Figurative means that words are used in a way that is different from the literal
interpretation. That way the description is more interesting or impressive. Figurative
language creates a picture in your mind.
 Figurative or Literal
To truly understand figurative language, you must first understand the terms
"figurative" and "literal."

Literal
If a statement is "literal" it is true. You can believe every word. When you say something
"literally," you mean exactly what you say.

She looks beautiful in her red dress!

This is a literal statement because the writer thinks the lady looks beautiful. The
writer is simply stating that she looks beautiful.
 He is a very big man.

This is a literal statement. The writer means that the man is big and strong.

These statements are literal and can sometimes be boring! To add interest,
writers often write in a figurative way.
To get a better understanding of figurative language, let's look at some common
figurative sayings:

"Sam is like a pig!"

This is an example of figurative language.
This sentence does not mean that Sam is actually an animal.

This sentence is a figure of speech meaning that Sam is very messy and does not
have good manners.
 "Bethy let the cat out of the bag
about Lisa's surprise party."
This is another example of figurative language.

This sentence does not mean that Beth had a cat in a bag and let it out.

Native English speakers understand this sentence is figurative language meaning that
Beth told Lisa the secret about the surprise party.
 Figurative
"Figurative" is the opposite of "literal." You do not believe a figurative statement word for
word. When you say something "figuratively," you are usually making a comparison to
give a description or make a point.

She looks like a million dollars!

This is a figurative statement, because a person can't really look exactly like money.
The statement means that she is well dressed and looks beautiful.
 He is as big as an elephant!

This is also a figurative statement because a person cannot be as big as an elephant.

The statement means he is very large. The writer compares the man to an elephant
to help the reader visualize the large, strong man!
 Figurative Uses
Common reasons to use figurative language:
for comparison
for emphasis or stress
to make something clear
to say something in a new way
to help the reader/listener form a picture in their mind
to make a story or poem interesting

If used correctly, figurative language can greatly improve your writing and speaking.

When reading, speaking, or writing in English, it is important to understand the

meaning of some common figures of speech.
Simile and metaphor

Introduction

Simile

Metaphor

Simile vs Metaphor

Similes and metaphors in poetry

 Simile and metaphor
Similes and metaphors are the two most common types of figurative language in the
English language.

Similes and metaphors both compare two different things that do not usually go
together. The difference between them is that a simile uses the words "like" or "as"
and a metaphor does not.

with like/as => simile

without like/as => metaphor

Similes and metaphors are very common in speaking, singing, and writing. Similes
and metaphors are often used in stories, music, and poetry to create good
descriptions.
 Simile
A simile is a word or phrase that compares something to something else. It
uses the words like or as.

Examples of similes:
eat like a pig
sleep like a baby
as cute as a kitten
as white as snow

The word "simile" comes from the Latin root similes, which means sameness or likeness.
The word "similar" also uses the same root word.

Similes are the most common type of figurative language in the English language.

Similes compare two different things that do not usually go together.

Similes compare using the words "like" or "as."

How to form a simile

There are two ways to form a simile.

1. as + adjective/adverb + as + noun

2. verb + like + noun

This is a list of some common similes. Add a subject to the beginning of each
simile to make the sentence complete. There are some examples below.
Pattern 1: as + adjective/adverb + as + noun

as cold as ice.
as white as snow
as gentle as a lamb
as funny as a clown
as light as a feather
as colorful as a rainbow
The crayons are as colorful as a rainbow.
as slow as a turtle
as pretty as a flower
as tall as a giant
as quiet as a mouse
as fluffy as cotton candy
The sheep was as fluffy as cotton candy.
as wise as an owl
as hungry as a bear
as tough as nails
 Pattern 2: verb + like + noun
smells like a rose
eats like a pig
sings like an angel
runs like a cheetah
slept like a baby
I slept like a baby last night.
crying like a baby
jumps like a frog
howls like a dog
sparkles like a diamond
roared like a lion
 Metaphor
A metaphor is a comparison of two different things, without "like" or "as." It makes a
description more interesting or powerful.

The word "metaphor" comes from the Latin word metaphoria and the Greek
word metapherin. Both of these words mean "to transfer." A metaphor gives
(transfers) qualities from one noun to another noun.

Examples of metaphors:
wooden face (= a face as stiff as wood)
army of letters (= letters as great in amount and as powerful as an army)
sea of sadness (= sadness as huge and endless as the sea)
My plan was a house of cards (= as fragile and unstable as a house of cards)

Metaphors are like similes, but they do not use the words "like" or "as."

A metaphor compares things by stating something IS something else.

 How to form a metaphor
There are a few ways to make a metaphor.

The simplest way to make a metaphor is to use this pattern:

First noun + to be verb + a/an + second noun

She is an angel.

(She is a nice.)
My hands are ice.

(My hands feel very cold.)

He is a pig.

(He is messy.)
Her eyes were diamonds.

(Her eyes were beautiful.)

The shark's teeth are daggers.

(The shark's teeth are sharp.)
In addition, you can form a metaphor with verbs and adjectives.
A flock of children went to the circus.
(A flock is a group of birds. Children are being compared to birds.)

The investigator digs up evidence about the crime.

(The investigator is looking for evidence. He is being compared to a dog who digs up
bones.)
Reasons to use similes and metaphors:

for comparison
for emphasis or stress
for humor
to make something clear or easy to understand
to say something in a new way
to help the reader/listener form a picture in their mind
to make something interesting and descriptive
 Similes and metaphors in poetry
Here is a great example of similes and metaphors being used in classic poetry. Read
this short poem to see if you can spot the similes or metaphors. Then scroll past the
picture for the answers.

New words:
flint = a very hard gray stone used to make fire
emerald = a beautiful green stone
ruby = a beautiful dark red stone
sapphire = a beautiful blue stone
heaven = sky
brilliant = very bright
opal = a beautiful stone that shows changing colors
hold = have or contain
fiery = of fire
 Flint

(by Christina Rossetti)

An emerald is as green as grass,

A ruby red as blood;
A sapphire shines as blue as heaven;
A flint lies in the mud.

A diamond is a brilliant stone,

To catch the world's desire;
An opal holds a fiery spark;
But a flint holds a fire.
 Similes and Metaphors
(answers)
An emerald is as green as grass,
(an emerald is green and grass is green)

A ruby red as blood;

(a ruby is red and blood is red)

A sapphire shines as blue as heaven;

(a sapphire is blue and the sky, or heaven, is blue)

A flint lies in the mud.

A diamond is a brilliant stone,

To catch the world's desire;
(the diamond is being compared to something that can catch something, such as a baseball
glove)

An opal holds a fiery spark;

(the opal looks like a spark of fire)

But a flint holds a fire.

(the flint is being compared to an object that can contain something else)
Choose the correct type of figurative language for each sentence below.
1. The kitten is as soft as silk.

A. idiom No
B. personification No
C. onomatopoeia No
D. simile Yes

1. The kitten is as soft as silk.

D. simile

This sentence is an example of simile because it compares a kitten's fur to silk using
the word "as".
9. The baby was a screaming alarm that woke the neighbors.

A. simile No
B. personification No
C. metaphor Yes
D. clich No

9. The baby was a screaming alarm that woke the neighbors.

C. metaphor

This is an example of a metaphor. It compares a crying baby to a loud alarm that wakes
people up.