English Figures of Speech

A simile is a literary device that compares two things using the words like 'as' or 'like'. These are used to create imagery and make surprising connections between the two unrelated things. Similes are commonly used in literature, speeches, storytelling, and more. Some of Simile examples are given below:

• Raymond is as stubborn as a mule
• Her tongue is sharper than a sword
• She ran like the wind
• The package that got delivered yesterday was as light as a feather
• She sings like an angel

Students can consider the following books to study Apostrophe in Figure of Speech for better clarity and understanding of the topic:

Students can generally get confused while using an apostrophe as a figure of speech or a punctuation mark. Let's take a look at the differences between the two, with examples, to avoid confusion:

An Apostrophe, in a figure of speech, is sued to address someone or something that is not present, cannot respond, or is dead. It also represents an abstract or inanimate, as if it were present and capable of understanding. It is mostly used in poetry and dramatic monologues. For example:

·       Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?" (Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet)

·       "Twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are." (Jane Taylor)

·       "O happy dagger!" (Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet)

Implied metaphors, mixed metaphors, dead metaphors are considered as special cases of metaphor. More than special cases, these are more of different ways in which the concept of metaphor is applied and interpreted in English language.

A Metaphor is made up of four things:

·       Tenor

·       Vehicle

·       Ground

·       Tension

A tenor refers to the thing being described, and a vehicle is the thing it's being compared to. Shared characteristics are the ground that connect them. Tension is the difference between the tenor and the vehicle, which helps create a vivid comparison.

A dead metaphor occurs when the original meaning of the comparison is lost either due to excessive repetition or a semantic shift (words losing or changing their initial meaning over time). For example: Roll up the window (Originally referring to the action of rolling up a window in a car, it now refers to closing a window in general).

This is an example of Standard metaphor which compares the two things directly. This metaphor 'Laughter is a medicine for the soul', compares laughter with medicine that cures and helps keeping good health.