

They're often difficult for language learners to grasp because their true meaning is so different from the words being used. Idiomatic phrases vary by culture and language. It wasn't the worst decision he'd ever made.Īn idiom is a commonly used expression that's acquired a meaning different from its literal meaning. Litotes often contain double negatives, such as "not wrong" or "not bad." Here are some examples of litotes: When a writer uses litotes, they use negation to convey the opposite meaning of their statement. This type of figurative language uses understatements to make a point. The concert was so loud that the drums echoed in outer space. She had told him a million times to calm down. Sometimes hyperbole also implements the use of simile and comparative words.
#FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE INSIDE THE OFFICE CRACKED#
The cracked plate was painfully beautiful.Ī hyperbole is an over-exaggeration used to emphasise an emotion or description. My father's thoughtless idea landed him in the middle of the lake without a life jacket. The loud silence of the night keeps him awake. The format is often an adjective followed by a noun, such as in these examples: The doorbell ding-donged to announce her arrival.Īn oxymoron is a description using two opposite ideas to create an effective description. She whacked her alarm clock to silence its buzzing.
#FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE INSIDE THE OFFICE HOW TO#
Here are some examples of how to use onomatopoeia in your writing: This type of figurative language can help your readers to imagine noises while they read. Onomatopoeia is the use of descriptive words that sound or mimic the noise they're describing. Related: Best Practices To Boost Your Creative Thinking Skills 4. When lightning struck the tree, its limbs groaned and complained.Īs we hiked upward, the peak of the mountain smiled at us. The computer argued with me and refused to cooperate. The chair squealed in pain as the hammer smashed into it. This can help make objects, places or animals more relatable. Personification is attributing human characteristics to nonhuman things. Your son was a shining star in my classroom.

The tall trees served as curtains during our picnic. She is my moon, guiding me through the dark. If a metaphor continues for several lines or an entire piece of writing, it's called an extended metaphor. Her love for her children is as constant as the passing of time.Ī metaphor is a direct comparison without using the comparative words "like" or "as." Metaphors equate the two things being compared to elicit a stronger connection and deepen the meaning of the comparison. SimileĪ simile is a comparison between two unlike things using the words "like," "as" or "than." Often used to highlight a characteristic of one of the items, similes rely on the audience's ability to create connections and make inferences about the two objects, people, actions or concepts being discussed. Here are 16 types of figurative language and some examples of each type: 1. Figures of speech are literary devices that are also used throughout our society and help relay important ideas in a meaningful way. Writers often use figurative language in literature, like poetry, drama, prose and even speeches. Related: 5 Reasons Why Writing Skills Are Essential for Every Job 16 types of figurative language with examples Figurative language is used to:Ĭompare two unlike ideas to increase understanding of oneĭescribe ideas sometimes difficult to understand There are multiple types of figurative language, but all use creative wording to build imagery that deepens the audience's understanding and helps provide different emotional, visual and sensory connections. What is figurative language?įigurative language is the use of descriptive words, phrases and sentences to convey a message without directly saying the meaning. In this article, we review 16 types of figurative language and provide examples to deepen your understanding. Implementing figurative language can take careful thought and close observations to successfully convey your intended meaning. Also referred to as figures of speech, writers can use figurative language to persuade, engage and connect with an audience and amplify their intended message.


Figurative language serves as an excellent communication tool for conveying complex descriptions or emotions effectively.
