Do you wish to improve the caliber of your English? If so, you should read this blog. The greatest method to improve your spoken and written English is to become familiar with various figures of speech and how to apply them. Scroll down to find out more and see some figures of speech in action!

Speaking English frequently might be difficult for those who are not natural speakers of the language. Inability to find the appropriate words or phrases to describe yourself may cause you to stumble or speak incoherently frequently.

And occasionally, this could place you in an unpleasant circumstance. In this blog, we’ll look at 15 various figures of speech to help you stay away from that scenario. Let’s start now.

What is a figure of speech?

A term that has an implicit meaning and shouldn’t be taken literally is known as a figure of speech. This indicates that a phrase’s literal meaning is not its true meaning.

Since the majority of figures of speech are frequently employed in everyday discourse, native English speakers are extremely familiar with them. However, if you don’t speak English as your first language or if you do and want to learn more about it, you’ve come to the perfect place.

Uses of figures of speech

Although there are many explanations and examples of figures of speech available, it is crucial that you first comprehend when to use each one.

• Metaphors, idioms, similes, ironies, antitheses, alliterations, personifications, and paradoxes are all common components of figures of speech. When a result, as you learn about these figures of speech, you also begin to comprehend other linguistic concepts in English.
• Using figures of speech can significantly improve the overall quality of your English because they are utilized in both written and spoken English.
• In the majority of instances, you can use these phrases as a clever comeback or just to show off your command of the language.

Figures of Speech Categories

You might be excited to start utilizing figures of speech in your everyday discussion after looking at these terms. But to do that, you must also be aware of which figure of speech to utilize when.

In order for you to know when to employ each of the 15 sorts of figures of speech, let’s go over their specifics with examples.

1. Personification

This style of figure of speech is created by imputing human traits to objects that are otherwise lifeless. For instance, you may have heard someone say “the wind is howling” frequently. To further understand, take a look at these two well-known examples:

1. Opportunity came to the person’s door.
2. When you’re having fun, time goes quickly.

2. Metaphor

When discussing two very distinct types of objects that are connected, this form of figure of speech is typically utilized. Therefore, the action, feature, or impact of the unrelated object can be applied to that of the linked thing and imply a new meaning. As an illustration

1. She is the apple of my eye.
2. The Sun is a creature of routine.

3. Simile

These expressions resemble metaphors in some ways, but they are more explicit than implied. The terms “as” or “like” are substituted for the inferred meaning in similes. To connect the two separate terms being utilized, these words are used. As an example:

• His answer was as cold as ice.
• He became as fit as a fiddle after taking his prescription.

4. Alliteration

These phrases are figures of speech with non-vowel letters at the beginning of each word that have a similar sounding consonant. By looking for these parallels in two or three words straight, you can spot them. Examples of alliterative figures of speech include:

• Claire, shut the door to your messy closet.
• Go collect the grass’s green leaves.

5. Onomatopoeia

These distinctive figures of speech are relatively straightforward. Words or phrases that mimic the sounds they make are known as onomatopoeiae. These figures of speech, however they may be a casual and juvenile style of speaking, are frequently useful when one is attempting to be illustrious. There are two common examples:

• “Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments will hum about mine ears, and sometimes voices&” (From Shakespeare’s “Tempest”)
• “Tis some visitor&tapping at my chamber door Only this and nothing more.” (From Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven”)

6. Hyperbole

Even if you are not a native English speaker, you have probably used one of these figures of speech at least once. These expressions use hyperbolic language to highlight how important a particular concept is. Here are two instances of hyperbolic figures of speech:

• I’ve told you a million times not to touch my stuff.
• He has a pea-sized brain.

7. Euphemism

Euphemisms are figures of speech that are employed in place of more forceful and abrasive language. To appear more courteous and occasionally politically correct in your talks, you can employ these generally milder or more acceptable phrases. For instance:

• She has “passed away”, instead of “died.”
• The company has “let him go,” instead of “fired him.”

8. Irony

Sarcasm is occasionally also conveyed through figures of speech. These expressions can be used to communicate a particular message by saying the exact opposite of it. Such sardonic sentences or expressions are easily understood in everyday English. However, to clarify, consider these two instances:

• Thomas cynically exclaimed, “What wonderful weather we are having!” during a rainstorm.
• After Gerald put out a pointless notion, Thomas exclaimed, “That’s brilliant!”

9. Anaphora

These sentences contain repeated words, phrases, or clauses, which define this form of figure of speech. Typically, they are employed in opposition in either loud and dramatic speeches or children’s songs. For instance:

• So let freedom resound from New Hampshire’s magnificent hilltops. Let freedom resound from New York’s towering heights. Let freedom echo from Pennsylvania’s soaring Alleghenies. —Martin Luther King, Jr., “I Have a Dream” speech
• In William Blake’s poem “London,” he writes, “In every wail of every Man, In every infant’s cry of fear, In every voice, in every ban, The mind-forg’d manacles I hear.”

10. Pun

Puns are among the most frequently used figures of speech in daily conversation. They can be great conversation starters since they make you sound clever and occasionally even humorous. Here are a few instances of puns in speech:

• In Egypt, denial is a river (referring to The Nile using the word Denial).
• Her cat is standing close to the computer to watch the mouse.