More Figures of Speech for Interesting
Conversations
(Part I)
C1—C2
Module 3
February 17
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SUMMARY
Here’s What We
Will Be Learning
in this
Presentation:
February 17
❑
Importance of Using Figures of Speech in
Conversations.
❑
Meaning and Usage of Personification,
Hyperbole, Understatement and Euphemism.
❑
Exercises for each.
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Figures of speech are expressions in which
words aren’t used in their literal sense and
designed to portray an idea more clearly or
more interestingly. Let’s learn some more
figures of speech which will not only add to
your vast Grammar base but also make for
some witty conversations. In this presentation
(Part I) we will look at Personification,
Hyperbole, Understatement and Euphemism.
February 17
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Personification
Personification is a special kind of
metaphor; a figure of speech in which
inanimate objects and abstract ideas or
qualities are spoken of as if, they were
persons or human beings. I.e. it gives
human qualities to non-living things or
ideas.
For example:
•
•
February 17
The flowers nodded.
Snowflakes danced.
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Exercises – Personification
Identify the Idea or Object Being Personified in these Sentences
Type your Answers to the Trainer:
February 17
1)
Tom could hear the wind whispering through the trees.
2)
Each outfit called out to Diane as she was browsing in the women’s
section at the mall.
3)
My teacher looked at me with gimlet eyes, “The book couldn’t have
walked off on its own; could it?”
4)
Shame and despair poked and chewed William as he realised what he
had done.
5)
Clara’s accessories were screaming “bling”! We had never seen her
dressed like this before.
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Hyperbole
Hyperbole is an exaggeration or extravagant statement used for effect.
For example:
• When you are in a difficult situation you say: “I have a million problems!”
Understatement
An understatement intentionally make a situation seem less important than it
really is. It is the opposite of a Hyperbole.
For example:
• Your friend returns your new coat with blots all over it; in response, you
make an understatement, “It doesn’t look too bad”.
February 17
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Exercises – Hyperbole and
Understatement
Which Part of these Sentences are Hyperbole or Understatement?
Type the Correct Answers:
1)
I’m so hungry, I could eat a horse!
2)
The cop looked at his open bullet wound and said “Oh! It’s just a
scratch!”
3)
When his mom asked how the cake turned out? Kevin replied “It’s not
so bad”, even though everyone else knew it was hard as rock!
4)
George looked at the endless pile of paperwork at his desk and thought,
“there goes my lunch break!”
5)
“I’ve said it a thousand times and I will say it again; get off the grass!”
February 17
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Euphemism
Euphemism is a word or phrase that replaces
a word or phrase to make it more polite or
pleasant, or less embarrassing.
For example:
∙
∙
February 17
A little thin on top instead of bald
Homeless instead of bum
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Exercises – Euphemisms
Write the Part of these Sentences that are Euphemisms:
1) Hey! I’m not fat, I’m big boned.
2) Sally’s aunt passed away this morning, she had been ailing for a few
weeks.
3) Ted looks like he’s had one too many at the pub.
4) “Ben kept bragging about his new T.V., but honestly, it looked like it
had fallen off the back of a truck!”
5) “Excuse me, I need to use the restroom, could you tell me where it
is?”
February 17
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