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class="featured-image-wrap"> <img src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/stock-20-4-1024x683.jpeg" height="auto" style="-moz-border-radius:10px;-webkit-border-radius:10px;border-radius:10px;margin-bottom:40px;" alt="oxymoron" /> </div> </div> </div> <div bind="80e03a2d-a20f-6efc-c0d9-14bc49b22dd9" class="article-body wf-section"> <div bind="bc878838-ab40-9492-e3bd-2479e727ee0e" class="article-body"> <div bind="bc0209be-976e-1d43-38b0-3a9a8847699c" class="container w-container"> <div bind="085bf5dc-f87e-1752-2b64-0aa48fd35121" class="w-richtext"> <p>What is <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/a-or-an/">an</a> oxymoron? And what is <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/a-vs-the/">the</a> difference between an oxymoron and a paradox? Are oxymorons used in common American English?</p> <p><em>Learn more in this oxymoron guide and worksheet…</em></p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="what-is-an-oxymoron"></span>What is an Oxymoron?<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>An oxymoron is a figure of speech that appears <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/to-vs-too/">to</a> contradict itself. </p> <p>It is a rhetorical device <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/used-to/">used to</a> emphasize a particular point.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="797" height="793" src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-25-at-2.38.21-PM.png" alt="Oxymoron" class="wp-image-3280" srcset="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-25-at-2.38.21-PM.png 797w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-25-at-2.38.21-PM-300x298.png 300w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-25-at-2.38.21-PM-768x764.png 768w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-25-at-2.38.21-PM-553x550.png 553w" sizes="(max-width: 797px) 100vw, 797px" /><figcaption>Oxymoron</figcaption></figure></div> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="definition-of-an-oxymoron"></span>Definition of an oxymoron<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>According to <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oxymoron">Merriam-Webster</a>, an oxymoron is <em>“a combination of contradictory or incongruous words (such as cruel kindness).”</em></p> <p>An oxymoron is any figure of speech that contains opposing words to create the impression of a contradiction. </p> <p>It is made up of the Greek words “<a href="https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Oxus">Oxus</a>,“ meaning “sharp,“ and “moros,“ meaning “foolish,” and or “dull.” This makes the word ”oxymoron” an oxymoron in itself.</p> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Word</strong></td><td><strong>Definition</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Oxymoron (<a href="https://grammarbrain.com/noun/">noun</a>) /ˌäksəˈmôrˌän/</td><td>a figure of speech in <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/comma-before-which/">which</a> apparently contradictory terms appear in <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/conjunctions/">conjunction</a> (e.g. <em>faith unfaithful kept him falsely true</em> ).</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="how-are-oxymorons-used-in-english"></span>How are Oxymorons Used in English?<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>Oxymorons are used in English to grab readers’ attention or for humorous <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/affect-vs-effect/">effect</a>. </p> <p>It is commonly used in literature to <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/brung-or-brought/">bring</a> the reader’s attention to the values of two different concepts.</p> <p>Famous comedians like George Carlin used them in comedy skits to illustrate the difference between the two concepts. “Civil war” is one such example. “Civil” means “polite”, and “war“ refers to the conflict of two groups on a battlefield. </p> <p>Individually, the words mean different things, but together, they <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-tense-of-have/">have</a> another meaning altogether.</p> <p><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/then-vs-than/">Then</a> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/there-their-theyre/">there</a> are certain kinds of oxymorons that grow out of casual slang, <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/comma-before-such-as/">such as</a> calling something “wicked good.”</p> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Oxymoron</strong></td><td><strong>Example</strong></td></tr><tr><td><em>A story <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/cannot-or-can-not/">cannot</a> be untold, if it’s a story.</em></td><td>Untold stories</td></tr><tr><td><em>The law is about criminals.</em></td><td>Criminal law</td></tr><tr><td><em>Novels are written, not visual.</em></td><td>Graphic novels</td></tr><tr><td><em>A classic is older, it cannot be instant.</em></td><td>Instant classics</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="what-is-an-oxymoron-in-literature"></span>What is an Oxymoron in Literature?<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>An oxymoron carries much of the same connotations in literature as in regular Modern English. In literature, it is a form of <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/figurative-language/">figurative language</a> that takes away from the literal meaning to bring attention to the abstract or symbolic concepts that the writer is trying to convey. </p> <p><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/words-shakespeare-invented/">Shakespeare</a> commonly used oxymorons to create descriptions for his scenes or to emphasize the emotions a particular character <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-tense-of-felt/">felt</a> in a scene. </p> <p>In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare uses the oxymoron “<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/272045-why-then-o-brawling-love-o-loving-hate-o-any">Oh, brawling love, O loving hate</a>” to refer to the conflicting feelings between the respective families of Romeo and Juliet <em>(this example also known as literary devices)</em>.</p> <p>This is done to emphasize how their love is blind and how love between the two <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/was-vs-were/">was</a> hated <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/is-because-a-conjunction/">because</a> of the conflict and drama it created between the families. </p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="474" height="292" src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Screen-Shot-2022-09-28-at-8.34.16-AM.png" alt="Example of an oxymoron" class="wp-image-1069" srcset="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Screen-Shot-2022-09-28-at-8.34.16-AM.png 474w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Screen-Shot-2022-09-28-at-8.34.16-AM-300x185.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px" /><figcaption>Example of an oxymoron</figcaption></figure></div> <p>Oxymorons in literature are not just used to point out contradictions but to show how humans themselves are contradictory as well. A single person or character <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/may-vs-can/">can</a> have great love and hate for the same person.</p> <p>Both are strong emotions and are often said to be different sides of the same coin. Characters often express one emotion with words while expressing another <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/threw-vs-through/">through</a> body language and gestures.</p> <p><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/because-vs-since/">Since</a> desire is the root of emotions and pulls characters in different <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/capitalize-cardinal-directions/">directions</a>, literature commonly makes a point of having characters express their contradictory nature.</p> <p>This is done through <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/dialog-vs-dialogue/">dialogue</a>, actions, and narration, all while using oxymorons to make the prose rich and exciting.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="473" height="270" src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Screen-Shot-2022-09-28-at-8.34.29-AM.png" alt="Example of an oxymoron" class="wp-image-1070" srcset="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Screen-Shot-2022-09-28-at-8.34.29-AM.png 473w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Screen-Shot-2022-09-28-at-8.34.29-AM-300x171.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 473px) 100vw, 473px" /><figcaption>Example of an oxymoron</figcaption></figure></div> <p>For <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/farther-vs-further/">further</a> examples of Shakespeare using oxymorons, <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-tense-of-read/">read</a> <a href="https://literarydevices.net/romeo-and-juliet-oxymoron/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this</a> page.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="types-of-oxymorons"></span>Types of Oxymorons<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>Oxymorons can be categorized into the following groups</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Single word oxymorons</li><li>Double word oxymorons</li><li>Dependent morpheme</li><li>Independent morpheme</li></ul> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="single-word-oxymoron"></span><strong>Single word oxymoron</strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>Single-word oxymorons <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/use-vs-utilize/">use</a> two opposite or contrasting ideas pushed inside a  single word. </p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/i-e-vs-e-g/">E.g.</a>, Bittersweet.</li></ul> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="double-word-oxymoron"></span><strong>Double word oxymoron</strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>A double-word oxymoron is made up of two different words standing separate from one another and giving birth to a deeper meaning when considered as a whole.</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>E.g., Civil war</li></ul> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="dependent-morpheme"></span><strong>Dependent morpheme </strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>A dependent morpheme uses two different morphemes to create a single word. </p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>E.g., Preposterous</li></ul> <p>(Pre refers to something before the start, and post refers to something after the end of something.)</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="independent-morpheme"></span><strong>Independent morpheme </strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>An independent morpheme is <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-tense-of-split/">split</a> into two morphemes that carry opposing meanings together. The morphemes here don’t depend on one another to be complete. They make sense individually and join together to create a more refined meaning. </p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>E.g., Spendthrift.</li></ul> <p>(Spend refers to buying something, while thrift refers to not being wasteful)</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="examples-of-oxymorons"></span>Examples of Oxymorons<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>Here are examples of oxymorons.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="a-c"></span><strong>A-C</strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Almost exactly</li><li>Act naturally</li><li>Awfully good</li><li>Business <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/ethics-vs-morals/">ethics</a></li><li>Barely dressed</li><li>Benevolent despot</li><li>Bright smoke</li><li>Boxing ring</li><li>Controlled chaos </li><li>Cruel kindness</li><li>Civil war</li><li>Climb down</li><li>Criminal justice</li><li>Cruel joke</li></ul> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="d-f"></span><strong>D-F</strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Deafening silence </li><li>Dotted line</li><li>Dead man walking </li><li>Freezer burn</li><li>Fine mess </li><li>Frenemy </li><li>Fairly dark</li><li>Fairly nasty</li><li>Far closer</li><li>Feathers of lead</li><li>Friendly fire</li><li>Final draft</li><li>Finally <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/began-vs-begun/">begun</a></li><li>Funny business</li></ul> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="g-n"></span><strong>G-N</strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Growing smaller</li><li>Hardly easy</li><li>Industrial park</li><li>Jungle gym</li><li>Love-hate </li><li>Least favorite</li><li>Living dead </li><li>Loyal opposition</li><li>Modern history</li><li>Mud bath</li></ul> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="o-r"></span><strong>O-R</strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Original copy</li><li>Old news</li><li>Only choice</li><li>Open secret</li><li>Peaceful war </li><li>Perfectly imperfect </li><li>Rising deficit</li><li>Recorded live</li></ul> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="s-z"></span><strong>S-Z</strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Same difference</li><li>Sanitary sewer</li><li>Silent scream</li><li>Silent alarm</li><li>Small giant</li><li>Strangely familiar </li><li>Sounds of Silence </li><li>True Lies</li><li>Talking pictures</li><li>Terribly nice</li><li>Taped live</li><li>Virtual reality</li></ul> <p>For more oxymorons, <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/personal-pronouns/">you</a> can refer to <a href="https://literarydevices.net/huge-list-of-oxymorons/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this</a> page.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="examples-of-oxymorons-used-in-sentences"></span>Examples of Oxymorons Used in Sentences<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li><em>“The politician gave his deceptively honest opinion.”</em></li><li><em>“The comedian was seriously funny.”</em></li><li><em>“This is a genuine imitation Rolex watch.”</em></li><li><em>“Parting is such sweet sorrow.”</em></li><li><em>“This is one amazingly fine mess you’ve <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/got-or-gotten/">gotten</a> us into.”</em></li><li><em>“That rumor is old news.”</em></li><li><em>“He is my least favorite actor.”</em></li><li><em>“How do you like the wireless cable connection?”</em></li><li><em>“Stop being such a big baby.”</em></li><li><em>“She <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/has-vs-have/">has</a> a real passive-aggressive personality.”</em></li><li><em>“The story was based on a true myth.”</em></li></ul> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="oxymorons-in-quotes-and-sayings"></span>Oxymorons in Quotes and Sayings<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"><p>“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”</p><p>— George Orwell</p></blockquote> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"><p>“We must believe in free will. We have no choice.”</p><p>— Isaac Bashevis</p></blockquote> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"><p>“I am a deeply superficial person.”</p><p>— Andy Warhol</p></blockquote> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"><p>“The budget was unlimited, but I exceeded it.”</p><p>—Donald Trump</p></blockquote> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"><p>“I can resist everything but temptation.”</p><p>—Oscar Wilde</p></blockquote> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"><p>“It usually takes <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/me-vs-myself/">me</a> three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.”</p><p>—Mark Twain</p></blockquote> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="is-%e2%80%9cjumbo-shrimp%e2%80%9d-an-oxymoron"></span>Is “Jumbo Shrimp” an Oxymoron?<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>Jumbo shrimp is widely considered the most classic example of an oxymoron. The noun and <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adjective/">adjective</a> are antonyms or otherwise clearly contradictory in some way.</p> <p>In the phrase “jumbo shrimp,” the word “jumbo” refers to something big, while “shrimp” refers to something small and the crustacean at the same time. The secondary meaning is what qualifies “jumbo shrimp” as an oxymoron here, and is an effective form of wordplay.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="oxymoron-vs-paradox"></span>Oxymoron vs. Paradox<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>Since an oxymoron refers to a statement or figure of speech that contradicts itself, does this mean an oxymoron is also a paradox?</p> <p>A paradox is a rhetorical device and self-contradictory figure of speech that can be factually and logically true. </p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="473" height="304" src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Screen-Shot-2022-09-28-at-8.34.39-AM.png" alt="Example of an oxymoron" class="wp-image-1071" srcset="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Screen-Shot-2022-09-28-at-8.34.39-AM.png 473w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Screen-Shot-2022-09-28-at-8.34.39-AM-300x193.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 473px) 100vw, 473px" /><figcaption>Example of an oxymoron</figcaption></figure></div> <p>An oxymoron is just a statement that pairs two opposing concepts.</p> <p>The key is understanding the intent and meaning of the words being used. </p> <p>If Bob tells Alice to act naturally, he is using two different words that have opposing meanings. </p> <p>But if Bob tells Alice a harsh truth to help her, he is going <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/bye-vs-by/">by</a> the paradox that sometimes you must be cruel to someone to be kind.</p> <p>A paradox is a statement that seems contradictory at first but turns out to have a nugget of truth contained within.</p> <p>You can refer to this page for an in-depth look at the differences between a paradox and an oxymoron.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="475" height="292" src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Screen-Shot-2022-09-28-at-8.34.48-AM.png" alt="Example of an oxymoron" class="wp-image-1072" srcset="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Screen-Shot-2022-09-28-at-8.34.48-AM.png 475w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Screen-Shot-2022-09-28-at-8.34.48-AM-300x184.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 475px) 100vw, 475px" /><figcaption>Example of an oxymoron</figcaption></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="oxymoron-vs-antonym-pairs"></span>Oxymoron vs. Antonym pairs<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>If an oxymoron is a statement with opposing concepts, does that mean that statements like “good and evil,” “yin and yang,” and “right and wrong,” are oxymorons?</p> <p>An oxymoron implies that something has two opposite qualities at the same time. The contradictory nature of one single entity is what makes an oxymoron. </p> <p>When referring to “right and wrong” and “good and evil,” we <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-tense-of-see/">see</a> two opposing concepts. We are not suggesting any one entity having both properties at the same time. We are simply referring to two different, antithetical things.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="474" height="289" src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Screen-Shot-2022-09-28-at-8.34.56-AM.png" alt="Example of an oxymoron" class="wp-image-1073" srcset="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Screen-Shot-2022-09-28-at-8.34.56-AM.png 474w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Screen-Shot-2022-09-28-at-8.34.56-AM-300x183.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px" /><figcaption>Example of an oxymoron</figcaption></figure></div> <p>These figures of speech are simply <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/antonym/">antonym</a> pairs, couples, ranges, and other kinds of extremes. Antonym pairs are not oxymorons because they refer to two different entities rather than one entity with two opposing characteristics.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="whats-the-difference-between-an-oxymoron-and-irony"></span>What’s the Difference Between an Oxymoron and Irony?<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>Irony is a literary technique that implies the opposite of what the writer is saying.</p> <p>Since oxymorons have contradictions in them, does that mean oxymorons are irony? <em>No.</em></p> <p>Irony is the difference between what your audience is anticipating and what actually happens in a dramatic story. It is the purposeful subversion of expectations to create surprise and shock. </p> <p>Oxymorons are certainly used to highlight irony, but irony is based on context and situation. It does not refer to the contradiction between the words in a <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/what-is-a-sentence/">sentence</a>.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="474" height="290" src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Screen-Shot-2022-09-28-at-8.35.06-AM.png" alt="Example of an oxymoron" class="wp-image-1074" srcset="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Screen-Shot-2022-09-28-at-8.35.06-AM.png 474w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Screen-Shot-2022-09-28-at-8.35.06-AM-300x184.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px" /><figcaption>Example of an oxymoron</figcaption></figure></div> <p>If a character steps out of an inn and walks into a soggy street while a thunderstorm looms overhead, he <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/may-vs-might/">might</a> say, “This is fantastic <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/weather-whether-wether/">weather</a> we’re having.”</p> <p>The contradiction here is between what the character says and what is happening. There are no contradictions between the words that are being used. </p> <p>Oxymorons might be used to punctuate ironic moments, but they should not be confused with situational irony.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="how-to-identify-an-oxymoron"></span>How to Identify an Oxymoron<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>You can quickly identify an oxymoron by spotting two words in a phrase that logically don’t <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/what-is-the-past-participle-of-go/">go</a> together. But they still form a pair because the speaker is trying to communicate a nuance or bring attention to something. This <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/would-vs-will/">would</a> not be possible without the contradiction necessary to make the oxymoron.</p> <p><strong>For example:</strong> If Alice remarks that Bob’s secret identity is an open secret, she is using a contradiction to bring attention to something. The words “open secret” imply that while someone might <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-tense-of-think/">think</a> Bob’s identity is secret, everyone knows who he really is. There’s no secret.</p> <p><strong>For example:</strong> If Alice remarks that Bob is being awfully sweet, she is using contradictory words to imply that Bob is being very nice. This oxymoron brings emphasis to the word “sweet.”</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="is-%e2%80%9coxymoronic%e2%80%9d-a-word"></span>Is “Oxymoronic” a word?<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>Oxymoronic is the adjective form of the word oxymoron. So oxymoronically is the <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adverbs/">adverb</a> form of the word oxymoron. So yes, oxymoronic is indeed a word.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="can-a-person-be-an-oxymoron"></span>Can a Person Be an Oxymoron?<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>An oxymoron is a figure of speech or a statement. It is not the personal characteristic of the person. If someone is “barely dressed,” that implies they are almost naked. It does not imply the person is a walking, talking contradiction. </p> <p>The confusion in this belief might lie in the word “moron,” which some people infer to refer to the person. But the word “oxymoron” has nothing to do with the word “moron.” It just happens that the word for “foolish” in Greek is “<a href="https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Moros#:~:text=From%20Ancient%20Greek%20%CE%9C%CF%8C%CF%81%CE%BF%CF%82%20(M%C3%B3ros,%E2%80%9Cfate%2C%20doom%E2%80%9D).">moros</a>.”</p> <p>You cannot call someone an oxymoron, but you can undoubtedly describe how they act like an oxymoron, such as calling someone “passive-aggressive.”</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="what-is-the-opposite-of-an-oxymoron"></span>What Is the Opposite of an Oxymoron?<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>While an oxymoron is a statement with opposing, self-contradictory concepts, a tautology is a complete opposite.</p> <p>A tautology is a statement with two words that mean the same thing.</p> <p><strong>For example:</strong> <em>A tiny speck. A true fact. Boys will be boys.</em></p> <p>A tautology is a sentence with repeated meaning, making use of redundant phrases to say the same thing to create emphasis. The word <a href="https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/tautology">tautology</a> is comprised of the words “tautuos” which means “identical,” and “logos,” which means word or idea.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="sources"></span>Sources:<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <ol class="wp-block-list"><li><em><a href="https://askanydifference.com/difference-between-oxymoron-and-paradox/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Difference between oxymoron and paradox</a></em></li><li><em><a href="https://literarydevices.net/huge-list-of-oxymorons/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Huge list of oxymorons</a></em></li><li><em><a href="https://literarydevices.net/romeo-and-juliet-oxymoron/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Romeo and Juliet oxymorons</a></em></li><li><em><a href="https://www.rd.com/article/oxymoron-examples/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oxymoron examples</a></em></li></ol> <div class="wp-block-coblocks-faq" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/FAQPage"> <h2 class="wp-block-coblocks-faq__title wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="faqs"></span>FAQs<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <details class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item" itemprop="mainEntity" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"><summary class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__question" itemprop="name"><div class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__question__content">What is the definition of an oxymoron?</div><svg width="24" height="24" fill="none" viewBox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__question__icon" aria-hidden="true"><path fill="currentColor" fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M19.39 14.99l-1.41 1.41L12 10.43 6.02 16.4l-1.41-1.41L12 7.6l7.39 7.39z"></path></svg></summary><div class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__answer" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer"><div itemprop="text"> <p>A rhetorical device <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/where-vs-were/">where</a> two seemingly contradictory words are used together for effect.</p> </div></div></details> <details class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item" itemprop="mainEntity" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"><summary class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__question" itemprop="name"><div class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__question__content">What are some oxymoron examples?</div><svg width="24" height="24" fill="none" viewBox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__question__icon" aria-hidden="true"><path fill="currentColor" fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M19.39 14.99l-1.41 1.41L12 10.43 6.02 16.4l-1.41-1.41L12 7.6l7.39 7.39z"></path></svg></summary><div class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__answer" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer"><div itemprop="text"> <p>Slow is fast, be quick to be slow, a rich little poor girl, loving hate, pointedly foolish.</p> </div></div></details> </div> <div id="ez-toc-container" class="ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction"> <div class="ez-toc-title-container"> <p class="ez-toc-title" style="cursor:inherit">Inside this article</p> <span class="ez-toc-title-toggle"></span></div> <nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1" href="#what-is-an-oxymoron" title="What is an Oxymoron?">What is an Oxymoron?</a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2" href="#definition-of-an-oxymoron" title="Definition of an oxymoron">Definition of an oxymoron</a></li></ul></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3" href="#how-are-oxymorons-used-in-english" title="How are Oxymorons Used in English?">How are Oxymorons Used in English?</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4" href="#what-is-an-oxymoron-in-literature" title="What is an Oxymoron in Literature?">What is an Oxymoron in Literature?</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5" href="#types-of-oxymorons" title="Types of Oxymorons">Types of Oxymorons</a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6" href="#single-word-oxymoron" title="Single word oxymoron">Single word oxymoron</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7" href="#double-word-oxymoron" title="Double word oxymoron">Double word oxymoron</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8" href="#dependent-morpheme" title="Dependent morpheme ">Dependent morpheme </a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9" href="#independent-morpheme" title="Independent morpheme ">Independent morpheme </a></li></ul></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10" href="#examples-of-oxymorons" title="Examples of Oxymorons">Examples of Oxymorons</a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11" href="#a-c" title="A-C">A-C</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12" href="#d-f" title="D-F">D-F</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13" href="#g-n" title="G-N">G-N</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14" href="#o-r" title="O-R">O-R</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15" href="#s-z" title="S-Z">S-Z</a></li></ul></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16" href="#examples-of-oxymorons-used-in-sentences" title="Examples of Oxymorons Used in Sentences">Examples of Oxymorons Used in Sentences</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17" href="#oxymorons-in-quotes-and-sayings" title="Oxymorons in Quotes and Sayings">Oxymorons in Quotes and Sayings</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18" href="#is-%e2%80%9cjumbo-shrimp%e2%80%9d-an-oxymoron" title="Is “Jumbo Shrimp” an Oxymoron?">Is “Jumbo Shrimp” an Oxymoron?</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19" href="#oxymoron-vs-paradox" title="Oxymoron vs. Paradox">Oxymoron vs. Paradox</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20" href="#oxymoron-vs-antonym-pairs" title="Oxymoron vs. Antonym pairs">Oxymoron vs. Antonym pairs</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21" href="#whats-the-difference-between-an-oxymoron-and-irony" title="What’s the Difference Between an Oxymoron and Irony?">What’s the Difference Between an Oxymoron and Irony?</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22" href="#how-to-identify-an-oxymoron" title="How to Identify an Oxymoron">How to Identify an Oxymoron</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23" href="#is-%e2%80%9coxymoronic%e2%80%9d-a-word" title="Is “Oxymoronic” a word?">Is “Oxymoronic” a word?</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24" href="#can-a-person-be-an-oxymoron" title="Can a Person Be an Oxymoron?">Can a Person Be an Oxymoron?</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25" href="#what-is-the-opposite-of-an-oxymoron" title="What Is the Opposite of an Oxymoron?">What Is the Opposite of an Oxymoron?</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26" href="#sources" title="Sources">Sources</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27" href="#faqs" title="FAQs">FAQs</a></li></ul></nav></div> </div> <div bind="a45688e5-b9eb-987e-b87a-877b363b714a" class="tags w-clearfix"> <div bind="3c46d1e8-cfca-93f8-1f0b-132651db81b5"><span bind="e3af2ae6-d86a-f810-ba70-8a062949eb9d" class="text-span-3">Tags:</span></div> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/tag/oxymoron/" class="bold-text-4"><strong bind="9bd9671a-c4c5-f296-a149-d2e552ddbe4f" class="bold-text-5">Oxymoron</strong></a> </div>  <div class="fact-checked w-clearfix"><img src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/themes/grammarbrain/images/correct.png" loading="lazy" width="35" srcset="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/themes/grammarbrain/images/correct-p-500.png 500w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/themes/grammarbrain/images/correct.png 512w" sizes="(max-width: 479px) 27vw, 35px" alt="" class="image-6" style="margin-right:20px;"> <p bind="a6b1dcf4-d86a-ecf2-05e3-b91db5a16e6e" class="fact"><strong bind="a6b1dcf4-d86a-ecf2-05e3-b91db5a16e6f">Fact checked:</strong><br>Content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. <a href="/editorial-policy/" bind="a6b1dcf4-d86a-ecf2-05e3-b91db5a16e73"><strong bind="a6b1dcf4-d86a-ecf2-05e3-b91db5a16e74">Learn more.</strong></a> </p> </div>   <div bind="a6b1dcf4-d86a-ecf2-05e3-b91db5a16e64" class="author"> <div bind="a6b1dcf4-d86a-ecf2-05e3-b91db5a16e65" class="author-image w-row"> <div bind="a6b1dcf4-d86a-ecf2-05e3-b91db5a16e66" class="column-3 w-col w-col-3"><img src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/themes/grammarbrain/images/Screen-Shot-2022-09-10-at-4.07.48-PM.png" loading="lazy" bind="a6b1dcf4-d86a-ecf2-05e3-b91db5a16e67" alt="" class="image-3" style="-webkit-border-radius:200px;border-radius:200px;-moz-border-radius:200px;"></div> <div bind="a6b1dcf4-d86a-ecf2-05e3-b91db5a16e68" class="column-2 w-col w-col-9"> <p bind="3eab4726-5f41-ff61-2881-dd7370ae1a47" class="author-p"><strong>About the author</strong> <a href="#" bind="3eab4726-5f41-ff61-2881-dd7370ae1a4c"><strong bind="3eab4726-5f41-ff61-2881-dd7370ae1a4d"></strong></a> </p> <p bind="3eab4726-5f41-ff61-2881-dd7370ae1a47" class="author-p"> <a href="/about/" bind="a4a5a123-eef4-a277-5d08-7dfd48482052"><strong bind="16ba8aa2-6a9a-8a55-c24f-7e0b2e7391c4">Dalia Y.:</strong></a> Dalia is an English Major and linguistics expert with an additional degree in Psychology. Dalia has featured articles on Forbes, Inc, Fast Company, Grammarly, and many more. She covers English, ESL, and all things grammar on GrammarBrain. </p> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="other-articles"> <h3 class="abbv-h3">Core lessons</h3> <div class="w-row"> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/apostrophe/">Apostrophe</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/ellipsis/">Ellipsis</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/semicolon/">Semicolon</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/hyphen/">Hyphen</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/et-al/">Et. Al.</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/exclamation-mark/">Exclamation Mark</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/capitalization-rules/">Capitalization Rules</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/oxford-comma-serial-comma/">Comma</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/parts-of-speech/">Parts of Speech</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/subjunctive/">Subjunctive</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adjectives/">Adjectives</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adjectives-describing-personality/">Personality Adjectives</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/compound-words/">Compound Words</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/subordinating-conjunction/">Subordinating Conjunction</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adverbs/">Adverbs</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adverbial-clause/">Adverbial Clause</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/irregular-verbs/">Irregular Verbs</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/common-verbs/">Common Verbs</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/intransitive-verbs/">Intransitive Verbs</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/phrasal-verbs/">Phrasal Verbs</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/prepositions/">Prepositions</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/gerund/">Gerund</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/active-voice/">Active Voice</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/passive-voice/">Passive Voice</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/conjunctions/">Conjunctions</a> </div>  <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/present-perfect-tense/">Present Perfect</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/present-perfect-simple/">Present Perfect Simple</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/present-simple-tense/">Present Simple</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/present-continuous/">Present Continuous</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/present-perfect-continuous/">Present Perfect Continuous</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/simple-future-tense/">Simple Future</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-continuous-tense/">Past Continuous</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-simple-tense/">Past Simple</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/clauses/">Clauses</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/object-pronouns/">Object Pronouns</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/personal-pronouns/">Personal Pronouns</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/possessive-pronouns/">Possessive Pronouns</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/common-noun/">Common Noun</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/concrete-nouns/">Concrete Noun</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/possessive-noun/">Possessive Noun</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/proper-noun/">Proper Noun</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/irregular-plural-nouns/">Irregular Plural Nouns</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/prepositional-phrases/">Prepositional Phrases</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/introductory-phrases/">Introductory Phrases</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/declarative-statement/">Declarative Statement</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/sentence-diagramming/">Sentence Diagramming</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/complete-subjects/">Complete Subjects</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/sentence-starters/">Sentence Starters</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/metaphor/">Metaphor</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/personification/">Personification</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/allegory/">Allegory</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/collective-noun/">Collective Nouns</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/tones-in-writing/">Tones in Writing</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/homophones/">Homophones</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/declarative-sentences/">Declarative Sentences</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/syntax/">Syntax</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="other-articles"> <h3 class="abbv-h3">Glossary</h3> <div class="w-row"> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <strong>A:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/abstract-noun/">Abstract Noun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/accusative-case/">Accusative Case</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/anecdote/">Anecdote</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/antonym/">Antonym</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/active-sentence/">Active Sentence</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adverbs/">Adverb</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adjective/">Adjective</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/allegory/">Allegory</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/alliteration/">Alliteration</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adjective-clause/">Adjective Clause</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adjective-phrase/">Adjective Phrase</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/ampersand/">Ampersand</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/anastrophe/">Anastrophe</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adverbial-clause/">Adverbial Clause</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/appositive-phrase/">Appositive Phrase</a></li> </ul> <strong>B:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/base-form/">Base Form</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/body-paragraph/">Body Paragraph</a></li> </ul> <strong>C:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/clauses/">Clause</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/compound-adjective/">Compound Adjective</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/complex-sentence/">Complex Sentence</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/compound-words/">Compound Words</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/compound-predicate/">Compound Predicate</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/common-noun/">Common Noun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/comparative-adjective/">Comparative Adjective</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/superlatives-and-comparatives/">Comparative and Superlative</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/compound-noun/">Compound Noun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/compound-subject/">Compound Subject</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/compound-sentence/">Compound Sentence</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/copular-verb/">Copular Verb</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/collective-noun/">Collective Noun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/colloquialism/">Colloquialism</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/conciseness/">Conciseness</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/consonance/">Consonance</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/conditionals/">Conditional</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/concrete-nouns/">Concrete Noun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/conjunctions/">Conjunction</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/conjugation/">Conjugation</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/conditional-sentence-if-clause/">Conditional Sentence</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/comma-splice/">Comma Splice</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/correlative-conjunction/">Correlative Conjunction</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/coordinating-conjunction/">Coordinating Conjunction</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/coordinating-adjectives/">Coordinate Adjective</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/cumulative-adjective/">Cumulative Adjective</a></li> </ul> <strong>D:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/dative-case/">Dative Case</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/determiners/">Determiner</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/declarative-sentences/">Declarative Sentence</a> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/declarative-statement/">Declarative Statement</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/direct-object-pronouns/">Direct Object Pronoun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/direct-object/">Direct Object</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/types-of-diction/">Diction</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/diphthong/">Diphthong</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/dangling-modifier/">Dangling Modifier</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/demonstrative-pronouns/">Demonstrative Pronoun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/demonstrative-adjective/">Demonstrative Adjective</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/direct-characterization/">Direct Characterization</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/definite-article/">Definite Article</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/doublespeak/">Doublespeak</a></li> </ul> <strong>E:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/equivocation-fallacy/">Equivocation Fallacy</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/en-dash/">En Dash</a></li> </ul> <strong>F:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/false-dilemma-fallacy/">False Dilemma Fallacy</a> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/future-perfect-progressive/">Future Perfect Progressive</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/future-simple/">Future Simple</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/future-perfect-continuous/">Future Perfect Continuous</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/future-perfect/">Future Perfect</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/first-conditional/">First Conditional</a></li> </ul> <strong>G:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/gerund/">Gerund</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/gerund-phrase/">Gerund Phrase</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/genitive-case/">Genitive Case</a></li> </ul> <strong>H:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/homophones/">Homophone</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/homonym/">Homonym</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/helping-verbs/">Helping Verb</a></li> </ul> <strong>I:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/irregular-adjectives/">Irregular Adjective</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/irregular-verbs/">Irregular Verb</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/imperative-sentence/">Imperative Sentence</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/indefinite-article/">Indefinite Article</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/intransitive-verbs/">Intransitive Verb</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/introductory-phrases/">Introductory Phrase</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/indefinite-pronouns/">Indefinite Pronoun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/indirect-characterization/">Indirect Characterization</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/interrogative-sentence/">Interrogative Sentence</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/intensive-pronoun/">Intensive Pronoun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/inanimate-object/">Inanimate Object</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/indefinite-tense/">Indefinite Tense</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/infinitive-phrase/">Infinitive Phrase</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/interjection/">Interjection</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/intensifier/">Intensifier</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/inifitives/">Infinitive</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/indicative-mood/">Indicative Mood</a></li> </ul> <strong>J:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/juxtaposition/">Juxtaposition</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <strong>L:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/linking-verbs/">Linking Verb</a></li> </ul> <strong>M:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/modal-verb/">Modal Verb</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/modifier/">Modifier</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/misplaced-modifier/">Misplaced Modifier</a></li> </ul> <strong>N:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/nominative-case/">Nominative Case</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/noun/">Noun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adjective-as-noun/">Noun Adjective</a></li> </ul> <strong>O:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/oxymoron/">Oxymoron</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/object-pronouns/">Object Pronoun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/object-complement/">Object Complement</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/order-of-adjectives/">Order of Adjectives</a></li> </ul> <strong>P:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/participle/">Participle</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/parallelism/">Parallelism</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/prepositional-phrases/">Prepositional Phrase</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-simple-tense/">Past Simple Tense</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-continuous-tense/">Past Continuous Tense</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-perfect-tense/">Past Perfect Tense</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-progressive-tense/">Past Progressive Tense</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/present-simple-tense/">Present Simple Tense</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/present-perfect-tense/">Present Perfect Tense</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/personal-pronouns/">Personal Pronoun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/personification/">Personification</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/persuasive-writing/">Persuasive Writing</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/parallel-structure/">Parallel Structure</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/phrasal-verbs/">Phrasal Verb</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/predicate-adjective/">Predicate Adjective</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/predicate-nominative/">Predicate Nominative</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/phonetic-language/">Phonetic Language</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/plural-noun/">Plural Noun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/punctuation/">Punctuation</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/punctuation-marks/">Punctuation Marks</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/prepositions/">Preposition</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/preposition-of-place/">Preposition of Place</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/parts-of-speech/">Parts of Speech</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/possessive-adjective/">Possessive Adjective</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/possessive-determiner/">Possessive Determiner</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/possessive-case/">Possessive Case</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/possessive-noun/">Possessive Noun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/proper-adjective/">Proper Adjective</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/proper-noun/">Proper Noun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/present-participle/">Present Participle</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/prefix/">Prefix</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/predicate/">Predicate</a></li> </ul> <strong>Q:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/quotation-marks/">Quotation Marks</a></li> </ul> <strong>R:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/relative-pronouns/">Relative Pronoun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/reflexive-pronouns/">Reflexive Pronoun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/reciprocal-pronouns/">Reciprocal Pronoun</a></li> </ul> <strong>S:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/subordinating-conjunction/">Subordinating Conjunction</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/simple-future-tense/">Simple Future Tense</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/syntax/">Syntax</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/stative-verbs/">Stative Verb</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/subjunctive/">Subjunctive</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/subject-complement/">Subject Complement</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/subject-of-a-sentence/">Subject of a Sentence</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/sentence-variety/">Sentence Variety</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/second-conditional/">Second Conditional</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/suffix/">Suffix</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/superlative-adjective/">Superlative Adjective</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/slash-symbol/">Slash Symbol</a></li> </ul> <strong>T:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/topic-sentence/">Topic Sentence</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/types-of-nouns/">Types of Nouns</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/types-of-sentences/">Types of Sentences</a></li> </ul> <strong>U:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/uncountable-noun/">Uncountable Noun</a></li> </ul> <strong>V:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/common-verbs/">Verb</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/verb-tenses/">Verb Tense</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/vowels-and-consonants/">Vowels and Consonants</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="other-articles"> <h3 class="abbv-h3">Popular lessons</h3> <div class="w-row"> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/bare-with-me-or-bear-with-me/">Bare With Me</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/bosss-bosses-bosses/">Boss's, Bosses, or Bosses'</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/full-proof-or-foolproof/">Full Proof or Foolproof</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/is-or-are/">Is or Are</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a 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