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class="featured-image-wrap"> <img src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/stock-23-3-1024x683.jpeg" height="auto" style="-moz-border-radius:10px;-webkit-border-radius:10px;border-radius:10px;margin-bottom:40px;" alt="metaphor" /> </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>A metaphor is a complex and beautiful way <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/a-vs-the/">the</a> English language can get used <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/to-vs-too/">to</a> communicate deep ideas or intentions. Metaphors give comparisons between two parallel text. And often allow us to comprehend objects, things, concepts, thoughts, and ideas in more robust manners due to the way it gets compared.</p> <p><em><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/lets-or-lets/">Let’s</a> learn about metaphors and how they get used in the English language…</em></p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="what-is-a-metaphor"></span>What is a metaphor?<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two things that are not the same. A metaphor is a way to compare two things and say they are the same, not just similar.</p> <p>This means that in a metaphor, words or phrases usually <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/used-to/">used to</a> talk about one thing or idea are used to talk about something else that isn’t traditionally associated with that language.</p> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Metaphor example</strong></td><td><strong>Metaphor words</strong></td></tr><tr><td>The sun <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/was-vs-were/">was</a> a gleaming pearl.</td><td>Sun, gleaming, pearl.</td></tr><tr><td>My baby brother is a cute little teddy bear.</td><td>Brother, cute little teddy bear.</td></tr><tr><td>The car seat is a fluffy cloud.</td><td>Car seat, fluffy cloud.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="examples-of-metaphors-in-literature"></span>Examples of metaphors in literature<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <ol class="wp-block-list"><li>“The sun was a toddler insistently refusing to <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/what-is-the-past-participle-of-go/">go</a> to bed. It was <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/passed-vs-past/">past</a> eight-thirty and still <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/lite-vs-light/">light</a>.” – <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/john-and-i-or-john-and-me/">John</a> Green; The Fault In Our Stars</li><li>“The frosted wedding cake of the ceiling” – F. Scott Fitzgerald; The Great Gatsby</li><li>“I’m a riddle in nine syllables” – Sylvia Plath; Metaphors</li><li>“Hope is the thing with feathers” – Emily Dickinson; Hope</li><li>“Behind him, sitting on piles of scrap and rubble, was the blue kite. My key to Baba’s heart.” – Khaled Hosseini; The Kite Runner</li></ol> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="796" height="794" src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-25-at-1.04.08-PM.png" alt="Metaphor" class="wp-image-3273" srcset="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-25-at-1.04.08-PM.png 796w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-25-at-1.04.08-PM-300x300.png 300w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-25-at-1.04.08-PM-768x766.png 768w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-25-at-1.04.08-PM-551x550.png 551w" sizes="(max-width: 796px) 100vw, 796px" /><figcaption>Metaphor</figcaption></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="examples-of-metaphors-in-songs"></span>Examples of <a href="https://andrewdebell.com/metaphors-pop-songs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">metaphors in songs</a><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <ol class="wp-block-list"><li>Third floor on the West Side, <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/me-vs-myself/">me</a> and <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/personal-pronouns/">you</a>; Handsome, you’re a mansion with a view – Taylor Swift; Delicate</li><li>Say you want me out of your life; And I’m just a dead man walking tonight – 5 Seconds of <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/are-seasons-capitalized/">Summer</a>; Young Blood</li><li>Don’t you tell me what you <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-tense-of-think/">think</a> that I can be; I’m the one at the sail, I’m the master of my sea – Imagine Dragons; Believer</li><li>Michelle Pfeiffer, that white gold; This one for them hood girls; Them good girls, straight masterpieces – Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars; Uptown Funk</li><li>Cause baby you’re a firework – Katy Perry; Firework</li></ol> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="examples-of-metaphors-in-idioms"></span>Examples of metaphors in idioms<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <ol class="wp-block-list"><li>My best friend is a walking disaster.</li><li>Her sister was <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/a-or-an/">an</a> angel incarnate.</li><li>It rained cats and dogs last week.</li><li>The queen swallowed her pride when the knight raised questions.</li><li>He advised me to either <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-tense-of-bite/">bite</a> the bullet or give it my best shot.</li></ol> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>Learn about metaphor in this video lesson</strong></p> <figure class="wp-block-video aligncenter"><video controls src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Metaphor-1.mp4"></video><figcaption>Click to watch.</figcaption></figure> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="difference-between-metaphor-and-simile"></span>Difference between metaphor and simile<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>When compared side <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/bye-vs-by/">by</a> side to literary tropes, <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/metaphor-vs-simile#:~:text=A%20simile%20is%20a%20figure,are%20a%20summer's%20day')." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">metaphors and similes</a> can often be challenging to differentiate from one another. Both of these are examples of figures of speech that are used to make comparisons. Simile belongs to the category of metaphor.</p> <p>However, they are differentiated by using either “like” or “as” as the connecting word. Metaphors are a way to draw direct comparisons without utilizing the terms being compared. Comparisons <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/may-vs-can/">may</a> be made using similes by utilizing the phrase “like” or “as.”</p> <p>A metaphor is a more direct comparison (one thing is another), making it a somewhat more convincing overall argument. You should employ metaphors to drive home the point that the two items are comparable.</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>Metaphor (<a href="https://grammarbrain.com/noun/">noun</a>) /ˈmedəˌfôr,ˈmedəˌfər/</td><td>a figure of speech in <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/comma-before-which/">which</a> a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.</td></tr><tr><td>Simile (noun) /ˈsiməlē/</td><td>a figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, used to make a description more emphatic or vivid (<a href="https://grammarbrain.com/i-e-vs-e-g/">e.g.</a>, <em>as brave as a lion</em>, <em>crazy like a fox</em> ).</td></tr><tr><td>Analogy (noun) /əˈnaləjē/</td><td>a comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="understanding-simile"></span>Understanding simile<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>On the other hand, a simile functions more like a suggestion than anything else. However, the text continues even after the image <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/has-vs-have/">has</a> been implanted in the reader’s mind. Similes are the way to go when you want to describe something but don’t want the reader to linger too long on it.</p> <p>Scale is another important consideration when working with metaphors and similes. While metaphors can extend over a whole piece of writing, similes can only be used within the confines of a single line.</p> <p>For instance, <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/there-their-theyre/">there</a> are thousands of interpretations of what the film “The Matrix” is <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/supposed-to-or-suppose-to/">supposed to</a> be a metaphor for. It is not very rare that you will <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-tense-of-hear/">hear</a> someone describe a finished product as a metaphor for anything else. That <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/would-vs-will/">would</a> need a significant number of “likes.”</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="difference-between-metaphor-and-analogy"></span>Difference between metaphor and analogy<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>Literary devices, <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/comma-before-such-as/">such as</a> metaphors and analogies, are tools that may be used to cement a concept in the mind of a reader. <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/is-because-a-conjunction/">Because</a> a metaphor is a figure of speech and an analogy is a logical argument, their applications are quite distinct from one another.</p> <p><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/figurative-language/">Figurative language</a> in literature often takes the form of metaphors. A word or phrase is usually employed as a representation to create a more dramatic impression. To put it another way, the term or phrase in question refers to an item to imply a connection that is not literal.</p> <p>An analogy may be used to create a logical argument by comparing two different items to convey a point. In contrast to a metaphor, a figure of speech that involves figurative language and allows one object to stand in for another, an analogy is an attempt to describe something.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="difference-between-metaphor-and-metonymy"></span>Difference between metaphor and metonymy<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>There are many ways in which metonymy and metaphor are comparable; nonetheless, the primary distinction between the two is that whereas a metaphor replaces one idea with another, a metonymy chooses a related term.</p> <p><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/how-to-use-therefore-correctly/">Therefore</a>, if metonymy refers to the association, <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/then-vs-than/">then</a> metaphor refers to substitution.</p> <p>As an illustration, “my brother is a tiger in class” is an example of a metaphor. In this context, expressing a particular aspect of a person’s character is represented by the term “tiger,” an animal.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="understanding-metonymy"></span>Understanding metonymy<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>Metonymy may be <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/seen-vs-saw/">seen</a> in the <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/what-is-a-sentence/">sentence</a>, “the tiger called his pals to the playground.” In this case, there is no substitute; rather, the individual is <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/compared-to-or-compared-with/">compared to</a> a tiger due to his characteristics.</p> <p>One other distinction that can be made between metonymy and metaphor is that metonymy works by mixing concepts, but metaphor works by excluding ideas from consideration.</p> <p>However, in the world of the psychological, metaphor and metonymy are both utilized for communicating thoughts that are significantly distinct from the original meaning of the words.</p> <p>When someone uses a metonymy, the attributes associated with the original term are not carried over to the metonymy. On the other hand, in metaphor, when there is a comparison, it is based on the traits, and in the process, certain qualities are transferred from the original to the metaphor.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="synonyms-for-metaphor"></span>Synonyms for Metaphor<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Analogy</li><li>Emblem</li><li>Symbol</li><li>Similitude</li><li>Image</li><li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/trope-examples/">Trope</a></li><li>Metonymy</li><li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/personification/">Personification</a></li><li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/allegory/">Allegory</a></li></ul> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="understanding-metaphor-simile-personification-hyperbole"></span>Understanding metaphor, simile, <a href="https://www.grammarly.com/blog/personification/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">personification</a>, <a href="https://www.rd.com/article/hyperbole-examples/#:~:text=1.,as%20old%20as%20the%20hills." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hyperbole</a><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>Here are the key differences between metaphor, simile, personification, and hyperbole.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="metaphor-example"></span>Metaphor example<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <ol class="wp-block-list"><li>My colleague’s heart of stone surprised me.</li><li>My husband is buried in a sea of paperwork.</li><li>Your favorite singer is a tall drink of water.</li><li>The contest winner had stars in her eyes.</li><li>I realized I had been living in a bubble.</li></ol> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="simile-example"></span>Simile example<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <ol class="wp-block-list"><li>The new doll she gifted me was as cute as a kitten.</li><li>This neon dress is as bright as a button.</li><li>My new badge is as shiny as a new pin.</li><li>This garage is as big as a house.</li><li>Your sister is as innocent as a dove.</li></ol> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="personification-example"></span>Personification example<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <ol class="wp-block-list"><li>The sun smiled down on the new <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/parents-plura/">parents</a>.</li><li>New York is a <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/village-vs-town/">city</a> that never sleeps.</li><li>The noise coming from the storm was as loud as the howling wind.</li><li>I wish he understood that actions speak louder than words.</li><li>His old and battered car wouldn’t quit.</li></ol> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="hyperbole-example"></span>Hyperbole example<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <ol class="wp-block-list"><li>He was so hungry, he could <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-tense-of-eat/">eat</a> a horse.</li><li>She may be old but she can hear a pin drop a mile away.</li><li>The story made him die of embarrassment.</li><li>My old colleague was as skinny as a toothpick.</li><li>It was raining cats and dogs at the stadium.</li></ol> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="understanding-the-various-types-of-metaphors"></span>Understanding the various types of metaphors<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>Let’s understand the various types of metaphors.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="implied-metaphor"></span>Implied metaphor<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>Comparing two dissimilar items that do not name either is called an <a href="https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-implied-metaphor.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">implied metaphor</a>.</p> <p>A direct metaphor is comprised of two parts: the tenor, which is the original thought, and the vehicle, which is the notion that is being compared.</p> <p>While an implied metaphor does not include the tenor, a direct metaphor includes.</p> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Example</h4> <ol class="wp-block-list"><li>The waiter fetched food for the impatient customers.</li><li>The host hopped from one end to the other, talking to his guests.</li><li>I never thought I could sail <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/threw-vs-through/">through</a> the final exams with such great <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/numbers-1-100/">numbers</a>.</li><li>The air has been growing older with each passing day.</li></ol> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="sustained-metaphor"></span><a href="https://blog.reedsy.com/extended-metaphors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sustained metaphor</a><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>A sustained metaphor, also known as an <a href="https://kindlepreneur.com/extended-metaphor/#h-8-steps-on-how-to-write-an-extended-metaphor-with-examples" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extended metaphor</a>, is when an author uses one metaphor or simile again and at length across a poem or tale by linking numerous tenors, vehicles, and grounds together. This type of metaphor is also known as an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extended_metaphor" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extended metaphor</a>.</p> <p>It is frequently used to describe a complicated concept, giving readers or listeners the ability to picture the concept using terminology that they are already familiar with.</p> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Example</h4> <ol class="wp-block-list"><li>My friend is such a snake. Everything he hisses out of his mouth is cruel. He frightens all those around him and has no spine.</li><li>My sister is a mama bear. She protects everyone like they are her own children. We feel safe around her.</li></ol> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="dead-metaphor"></span>Dead metaphor<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_metaphor" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A metaphor is said to be dead </a>when used so frequently, repeatedly, and extensively that the original picture associated with its meaning has been forgotten.</p> <p>It is not necessary to be familiar with the original connotation of a dead metaphor to comprehend its current meaning <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/because-vs-since/">because</a> the customary meaning of a dead metaphor differs from the original.</p> <p>Literalization of a metaphor refers to the process by which a metaphor loses its original meaning over time due to semantic changes that occur naturally in the development of a language.</p> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Example</h4> <ol class="wp-block-list"><li>My mother has a heart of gold.</li><li>It was raining cats and dogs at the cricket stadium with his sixes.</li></ol> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="mixed-metaphors"></span>Mixed metaphors<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>When two or more metaphors that <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/cannot-or-can-not/">cannot</a> work together are combined into one metaphor, the result is known as a mixed metaphor.</p> <p>This method often referred to as a “mixaphor,” can be utilized by characters in one of two distinct ways. It would be used purposefully or unintentionally, depending on the context of the conversation.</p> <p>To put it another way, a character might provide the impression of wit if they are aware of the fact that they are mixing two sentences. They could become uneducated even when all they need is the necessary knowledge.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="examples"></span>Examples<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <ol class="wp-block-list"><li>We need to get all our dogs on the same page.</li><li>Napolean also had his Watergate.</li></ol> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="conceptual-metaphors"></span>Conceptual metaphors<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>In the field of cognitive linguistics, the comprehension of one notion or conceptual domain in terms of another is referred to as conceptual metaphor, which is also shortened to cognitive metaphor.</p> <p>Any mental structure of human experience can constitute a conceptual domain. It has been hypothesized that the mapping across conceptual domains correlates to neural mappings in the brain due to the consistency with which many languages <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/use-vs-utilize/">use</a> the same metaphors.</p> <p>These metaphors are frequently based on perceptual similarities. This <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/hypothesis/">hypothesis</a> has garnered <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/alot-vs-a-lot/">a lot</a> of attention, even though several scholars <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-tense-of-have/">have</a> doubts about how accurate its empirical claims are.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="examples-2"></span>Examples<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>“Time is money”</p> <ol class="wp-block-list"><li>What do you do to spend your time?</li><li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/yesterdays-plural/">Yesterday’s</a> flat tire cost me the whole day.</li><li>I have invested a lot of time in this project.</li><li>You are running out of time to complete this project.</li></ol> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="how-to-develop-and-write-a-metaphor"></span>How to develop and write a metaphor<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>Your creativity and imagination may <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-tense-of-run/">run</a> wild when you <a href="https://medium.com/@jsaito/making-up-metaphors-4bcc85bc1039" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">use metaphors</a>. The following are some measures that you may take to help you develop an excellent metaphor:</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="1-decide-on-a-person-thing-or-place-to-write-about"></span><strong>1. Decide on a person, thing, or place to write about.</strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>Take for instance, that you are going to compose a metaphor about a goalkeeper for a soccer game. What are some of the features that define a goalie? The goaltender needs to have a strong mentality when facing the opposing offense.</p> <p>Goalies are supposed to act as a barrier that prevents opponents from scoring. Imagine your character, item, or scene using all of your senses as you think about them. This can help you create a more vivid mental image (e.g., sound, sight, smell, etc.).</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="2-concentrate-on-the-specific-situation-youre-expressing"></span><strong>2. Concentrate on the specific situation you’re expressing.</strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>Determine the features that it possesses. Imagine that our goaltender competes in the final game against his most feared opponent.</p> <p>And let’s assume this foe is a physically imposing figure of great size. How should I interpret the tone that you’re going for here? When you are describing the situation, keep this fact in mind.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="3-now-think-of-some-more-things-that-have-the-same-qualities-as-the-ones-you-found-in-the-first-step"></span><strong>3. Now, think of some more things that have the same qualities as the ones you found in the first step.</strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>Always keep in mind how the particular circumstance reflects on your character. Is it like David taking on Goliath in our goaltender situation? No, that has been attempted way too many times before.</p> <p>Perhaps the goaltender is analogous to a young seal being pursued by a dangerous shark as it gets closer and closer. That’s not the kind of person we want our goaltender to be, so we can’t have him doing that. We want him to be unshakeable when confronted with his adversary.</p> <p>What about the goaltender being compared to the uncharted depths of the ocean? This may provide you with many ideas for your goalie’s character, particularly his more profound thoughts, and ideals.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="4-take-your-existing-metaphor-and-develop-it-further"></span><strong>4. Take your existing metaphor and develop it further.</strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>It is not sufficient to just compare the goaltender to the ocean deep; highlight it in a way that goes beyond a single phrase to generate an image that fully encompasses the specific features.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="techniques-for-writing-using-metaphors"></span>Techniques for writing using metaphors<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>Here are techniques for writing metaphors.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="1-by-dismissing-your-initial-ideas-you-may-steer-clear-of-cliches"></span><strong>1. By dismissing your initial ideas, you may steer clear of cliches.</strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>When it comes to creating metaphors, you should get in the habit of dismissing the first notion that comes to mind. It’s usually the first thing that comes to mind since it compares to something you’re already familiar with.</p> <p>And if it’s not foreign to you, there’s a good chance that it won’t be to your readers either. Keep in mind that the brain enjoys being surprised the most.</p> <p>The phrases “armed to the teeth,” “bad to the bone,” “burning passion,” “turn a blind eye,” “the crack of dawn,” “hammering heart,” “bite the bullet,” “heart of gold,” and “blood flowing cold” are all examples of tired metaphors.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="2-think-about-the-character-and-environment-from-your-point-of-view"></span><strong>2. Think about the character and environment from your point of view.</strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>Check to be if the analogy or comparison you’re employing in your metaphor is something that your perspective character is already familiar with. This is an excellent method for developing one’s persona as well as one’s voice.</p> <p>For instance, if your character is a cook, you may use metaphors that involve food, such as “his face was a mangled platter of ham,” “she <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-tense-of-felt/">felt</a> the singe of remorse,” or “blueberry bruises marred his flesh.”</p> <p>Remember to consider the location and era of your story as well. If the setting of your story is Ancient Rome, you shouldn’t use metaphors like “the bowler-hat cave” because I’m sure people didn’t wear bowler hats back then.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="476" height="289" src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-07-at-2.23.27-PM.png" alt="Sentence example" class="wp-image-2329" srcset="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-07-at-2.23.27-PM.png 476w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-07-at-2.23.27-PM-300x182.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 476px) 100vw, 476px" /><figcaption>Sentence example</figcaption></figure></div> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="3-avoid-blending-the-analogies"></span><strong>3. Avoid blending the analogies.</strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>A mixed metaphor is simply when you use two pictures not linked to one another to depict the same thing, thereby illogically merging different ideas or imagery.</p> <p>When you do this, you weaken the power of both metaphors because the reader is forced to exert effort to distinguish between the aspects of the two pictures that are being compared. As an illustration, you may say, “If we want to go ahead, we’ll need to iron out the remaining bottlenecks.”</p> <p>You will have a much easier time avoiding mixed metaphors if you watch for tired metaphors. We can be so used to <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/cliche-examples/">cliché</a> metaphors that we don’t even recognize them, making it simple to confuse them with another metaphor <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/on-accident-or-by-accident/">by accident</a>.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="475" height="270" src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-07-at-2.23.33-PM.png" alt="Sentence example" class="wp-image-2328" srcset="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-07-at-2.23.33-PM.png 475w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-07-at-2.23.33-PM-300x171.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 475px) 100vw, 475px" /><figcaption>Sentence example</figcaption></figure></div> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="4-keep-your-creative-fires-burning"></span><strong>4. Keep your creative fires burning.</strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>Your imagination will be put to the test as you write metaphors. To create beautiful, original, and compelling metaphors, you must draw deeply from your own experiences.</p> <p>Think about the particular image or sensation you are attempting to convey, and then think of a time in your life when you felt or recognized that image or feeling to the fullest extent.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="5-when-youre-reading-literature-keep-an-eye-out-for-analogies-better-still-read-poetry"></span><strong>5. When you’re reading literature, keep an eye out for analogies. Better still, read poetry.</strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>The imagery and metaphorical language found in poetry are abundant. Reading it will condition your brain to think in this manner; the more you <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-tense-of-read/">read</a>, the better you’ll be able to conjure up sophisticated metaphors, and that’s a promise.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="474" height="275" src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-07-at-2.23.40-PM.png" alt="Sentence example" class="wp-image-2327" srcset="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-07-at-2.23.40-PM.png 474w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-07-at-2.23.40-PM-300x174.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px" /><figcaption>Sentence example</figcaption></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="how-do-you-recognize-a-metaphor-in-four-easy-steps"></span>How do you recognize a metaphor in four easy steps?<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>Some metaphors, such as those employed in day-to-day conversation, are very easy to recognize. Finding the right one among the others might be challenging but not impossible.</p> <p>Applying this straightforward, 4-step methodology can help you recognize metaphors from a mile away:</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="1-smell-a-comparison"></span><strong>1. Smell a comparison</strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>In the realm of comparison, each of the three figurative language devices has its place—the simile, the analogy, and the metaphor.</p> <p>Therefore, the first thing you need to do to recognize a metaphor is to recognize a parallel in the text. You can tell you are in the company of a comparison literary device if there is at least one of them present.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="2-determine-whether-the-comparison-requires-the-use-of-crutches"></span><strong>2. Determine whether the comparison requires the use of crutches.</strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>Similes rely on assistance. To make comparisons, they frequently use the phrases “like” and “as.” If you come across such crutches, you may deduce that the expression in question is a simile, not a metaphor.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="474" height="310" src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-07-at-2.23.47-PM.png" alt="Sentence example" class="wp-image-2326" srcset="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-07-at-2.23.47-PM.png 474w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-07-at-2.23.47-PM-300x196.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px" /><figcaption>Sentence example</figcaption></figure></div> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="3-put-it-via-the-monitor-that-analyzes-explanations"></span><strong>3. Put it via the monitor that analyzes explanations.</strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>Now that you’ve reduced your choices to just two—metaphor vs. analogy—you need to differentiate between the two. How? by taking into consideration how thoroughly the comparison is conveyed.</p> <p>An analogy is a literary technique used when the author takes the time to demonstrate how two concepts are comparable to one another.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="4-examine-the-allegory-through-the-lens-of-a-microscope"></span><strong>4. Examine the allegory through the lens of a microscope</strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>You should realize by this point that the image in front of you is a metaphor. Therefore, the final phase in the framework is to dissect the metaphor and conduct an examination of the substance.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="477" height="297" src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-07-at-2.23.55-PM.png" alt="Sentence example" class="wp-image-2325" srcset="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-07-at-2.23.55-PM.png 477w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-07-at-2.23.55-PM-300x187.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 477px) 100vw, 477px" /><figcaption>Sentence example</figcaption></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="how-do-metaphors-organize-themselves"></span>How do metaphors organize themselves?<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>The framework of a metaphor is comprised of the following four components:</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="1-vehicle"></span><strong>1. Vehicle</strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>The term “vehicle” refers to the word that is responsible for conveying the metaphor’s meaning. In the previous illustration, “Your response is crystal obvious,” the word “crystal” serves as the carrier.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="2-tenor"></span><strong>2. Tenor</strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>What is being communicated; is the fact that the response may be grasped readily.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="3-ground"></span><strong>3. Ground</strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>The <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/bases-vs-basis/">basis</a> for comparison is the relationship between two or more objects. The response, like the crystal, possesses an attribute known as transparency, also known as ground. The basis for their comparison is the degree to which they are clear.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="4-tension"></span><strong>4. Tension</strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>The space that exists between the items is known as tension. The answer itself is not a crystal, unless you are at a gem exhibition, in which case you may be talking about a pun. However, the answer is not a crystal if you are not at a gem show.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="faqs"></span>FAQs<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>Common questions asked about metaphors.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="what-is-a-metaphor-2"></span><strong>What is a metaphor?</strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>A comparison of two things that asserts that one thing is the other is what we refer to as a metaphor. As an illustration, he is a complete bore.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="how-are-similes-and-metaphors-distinct-from-one-another"></span><strong>How are similes and metaphors distinct from one another?</strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>Comparisons made using a simile are made indirectly using the words “like” or “as.” Direct parallels, sometimes known as metaphors, indicate that one thing is another.</p> <p>The most comprehensive of the two concepts is metaphor, which may be defined as any comparison, from single lines to complete works of literature. The use of similes is restricted to sentences.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="how-exactly-does-one-go-about-writing-a-good-metaphor"></span><strong>How exactly does one go about writing a good metaphor?</strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>The most effective use of metaphors is to tie seemingly intangible ideas to concrete examples that the audience is already familiar with and can quickly grasp.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="what-is-an-extended-metaphor"></span>What is an extended metaphor?<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>An extended metaphor is one that goes on for several sentences.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="what-is-a-dead-metaphor-and-how-can-it-go-unnoticed"></span>What is a dead metaphor? And how can it go unnoticed?<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>If the audience does not need to visualize the action; dead metaphors typically go unnoticed.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="conclusion"></span>Conclusion<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>Here’s how we can conclude.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="metaphors-make-sense"></span>Metaphors make sense<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>The world that we live in is imbued with meaning via metaphors. Thanks to their insight, they enable us to make sense of even the most complicated concepts.</p> <p>We are fortunate to have metaphors as a means of communication because our environment may sometimes be rather challenging to comprehend.</p> <p>The internet can be compared to a cloud, love can be compared to a battlefield, and time can be compared to money. Aren’t metaphors just a little bit magical?</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="846" height="191" src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-07-at-2.24.02-PM.png" alt="metaphor chart" class="wp-image-2324" srcset="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-07-at-2.24.02-PM.png 846w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-07-at-2.24.02-PM-300x68.png 300w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-07-at-2.24.02-PM-768x173.png 768w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-07-at-2.24.02-PM-800x181.png 800w" sizes="(max-width: 846px) 100vw, 846px" /><figcaption>Metaphor chart.</figcaption></figure></div> <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://www.masterclass.com/articles/metaphor-similie-and-analogy-differences-and-similarities" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">What’s the Difference Between Metaphor, Simile, and Analogy?</a></em></li><li><em><a href="https://copyblogger.com/metaphor-simile-and-analogy-whats-the-difference/#:~:text=A%20metaphor%20is%20a%20figure,it's%20a%20bit%20more%20complex." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Metaphor, Simile, and Analogy: What’s the Difference?</a></em></li><li><em><a href="https://www.liminalpages.com/write-powerful-metaphors" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">How to Write Powerful Metaphors</a></em></li><li><em><a href="https://medium.com/@jsaito/making-up-metaphors-4bcc85bc1039" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Making up metaphors</a></em></li><li><em><a href="https://prowritingaid.com/Metaphors" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">What is a Metaphor?</a></em></li><li><em><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conceptual_metaphor" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Conceptual metaphor</a></em></li><li><em><a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-conceptual-metaphor-1689899#:~:text=A%20conceptual%20metaphor%E2%80%94also%20known,understood%20in%20terms%20of%20another." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Understanding Conceptual Metaphors</a></em></li><li><em><a href="https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-a-mixed-metaphor-definition/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">What is a Mixed Metaphor — Definition & Examples for Writers</a></em></li><li><em><a href="https://kindlepreneur.com/extended-metaphor/#h-8-steps-on-how-to-write-an-extended-metaphor-with-examples" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Extended Metaphor: Meaning, Structure, Examples, How To Use</a></em></li><li><em><a href="https://examples.yourdictionary.com/metaphor-examples.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Metaphor Examples: Understanding Meaning and Purpose</a></em></li><li><em><a href="https://www.grammarly.com/blog/metaphor/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Metaphors</a></em></li><li><em><a href="https://prowritingaid.com/metaphor-examples" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Examples of Metaphors in Literature</a></em></li><li><em><a href="https://andrewdebell.com/metaphors-pop-songs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">20 Examples of Metaphors in Popular Songs</a></em></li><li><em><a href="https://symbolismandmetaphor.com/easy-metaphors-similes-idioms-analogies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">16 Metaphors, Idioms and Similes for Easy</a></em></li><li><em><a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/metaphor-vs-simile#:~:text=A%20simile%20is%20a%20figure,are%20a%20summer's%20day')." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">‘Metaphor’ vs. ‘Simile’</a></em></li><li><em><a href="https://uxplanet.org/idioms-vs-metaphors-in-the-digital-world-37e8f038b7e6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Idioms vs Metaphors in the digital world</a></em></li><li><em><a href="https://www.grammarly.com/blog/whats-the-difference-between-a-simile-and-a-metaphor/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Simile vs. Metaphor: What’s the Difference?</a></em></li><li><em><a href="http://www.differencebetween.net/language/difference-between-metaphor-and-metonymy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Difference Between Metaphor and Metonymy</a></em></li><li><em><a href="https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-personification-definition-examples/#:~:text=Personification%20examples,-Before%20we%20dive&text=%E2%80%9CThe%20sun%20smiled%20down%20on,the%20surface%20of%20the%20water.%E2%80%9D" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">What is Personification — Definition and Examples for Writers</a></em></li><li><em><a href="https://tutors.com/lesson/implied-metaphor-definition-purposes-examples" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Implied Metaphor — Definition, Purpose, & Examples</a></em></li></ol> <div id="ez-toc-container" class="ez-toc-v2_0_69_1 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-a-metaphor" title="What is a metaphor?">What is a metaphor?</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2" href="#examples-of-metaphors-in-literature" title="Examples of metaphors in literature">Examples of metaphors in literature</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3" href="#examples-of-metaphors-in-songs" title="Examples of metaphors in songs">Examples of metaphors in songs</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4" href="#examples-of-metaphors-in-idioms" title="Examples of metaphors in idioms">Examples of metaphors in idioms</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5" href="#difference-between-metaphor-and-simile" title="Difference between metaphor and simile">Difference between metaphor and simile</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="#understanding-simile" title="Understanding simile">Understanding simile</a></li></ul></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7" href="#difference-between-metaphor-and-analogy" title="Difference between metaphor and analogy">Difference between metaphor and analogy</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8" href="#difference-between-metaphor-and-metonymy" title="Difference between metaphor and metonymy">Difference between metaphor and metonymy</a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9" href="#understanding-metonymy" title="Understanding metonymy">Understanding metonymy</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="#synonyms-for-metaphor" title="Synonyms for Metaphor">Synonyms for Metaphor</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11" href="#understanding-metaphor-simile-personification-hyperbole" title="Understanding metaphor, simile, personification, hyperbole">Understanding metaphor, simile, personification, hyperbole</a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12" href="#metaphor-example" title="Metaphor example">Metaphor example</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13" href="#simile-example" title="Simile example">Simile example</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14" href="#personification-example" title="Personification example">Personification example</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15" href="#hyperbole-example" title="Hyperbole example">Hyperbole example</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="#understanding-the-various-types-of-metaphors" title="Understanding the various types of metaphors">Understanding the various types of metaphors</a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17" href="#implied-metaphor" title="Implied metaphor">Implied metaphor</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18" href="#sustained-metaphor" title="Sustained metaphor">Sustained metaphor</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19" href="#dead-metaphor" title="Dead metaphor">Dead metaphor</a></li></ul></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20" href="#mixed-metaphors" title="Mixed metaphors">Mixed metaphors</a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21" href="#examples" title="Examples">Examples</a></li></ul></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22" href="#conceptual-metaphors" title="Conceptual metaphors">Conceptual metaphors</a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23" href="#examples-2" title="Examples">Examples</a></li></ul></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24" href="#how-to-develop-and-write-a-metaphor" title="How to develop and write a metaphor">How to develop and write a metaphor</a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25" href="#1-decide-on-a-person-thing-or-place-to-write-about" title="1. Decide on a person, thing, or place to write about.">1. Decide on a person, thing, or place to write about.</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26" href="#2-concentrate-on-the-specific-situation-youre-expressing" title="2. Concentrate on the specific situation you’re expressing.">2. Concentrate on the specific situation you’re expressing.</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27" href="#3-now-think-of-some-more-things-that-have-the-same-qualities-as-the-ones-you-found-in-the-first-step" title="3. Now, think of some more things that have the same qualities as the ones you found in the first step.">3. Now, think of some more things that have the same qualities as the ones you found in the first step.</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-28" href="#4-take-your-existing-metaphor-and-develop-it-further" title="4. Take your existing metaphor and develop it further.">4. Take your existing metaphor and develop it further.</a></li></ul></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-29" href="#techniques-for-writing-using-metaphors" title="Techniques for writing using metaphors">Techniques for writing using metaphors</a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-30" href="#1-by-dismissing-your-initial-ideas-you-may-steer-clear-of-cliches" title="1. By dismissing your initial ideas, you may steer clear of cliches.">1. By dismissing your initial ideas, you may steer clear of cliches.</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-31" href="#2-think-about-the-character-and-environment-from-your-point-of-view" title="2. Think about the character and environment from your point of view.">2. Think about the character and environment from your point of view.</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-32" href="#3-avoid-blending-the-analogies" title="3. Avoid blending the analogies.">3. Avoid blending the analogies.</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-33" href="#4-keep-your-creative-fires-burning" title="4. Keep your creative fires burning.">4. Keep your creative fires burning.</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-34" href="#5-when-youre-reading-literature-keep-an-eye-out-for-analogies-better-still-read-poetry" title="5. When you’re reading literature, keep an eye out for analogies. Better still, read poetry.">5. When you’re reading literature, keep an eye out for analogies. Better still, read poetry.</a></li></ul></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-35" href="#how-do-you-recognize-a-metaphor-in-four-easy-steps" title="How do you recognize a metaphor in four easy steps?">How do you recognize a metaphor in four easy steps?</a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-36" href="#1-smell-a-comparison" title="1. Smell a comparison">1. Smell a comparison</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-37" href="#2-determine-whether-the-comparison-requires-the-use-of-crutches" title="2. Determine whether the comparison requires the use of crutches.">2. Determine whether the comparison requires the use of crutches.</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-38" href="#3-put-it-via-the-monitor-that-analyzes-explanations" title="3. Put it via the monitor that analyzes explanations.">3. Put it via the monitor that analyzes explanations.</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-39" href="#4-examine-the-allegory-through-the-lens-of-a-microscope" title="4. Examine the allegory through the lens of a microscope">4. Examine the allegory through the lens of a microscope</a></li></ul></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-40" href="#how-do-metaphors-organize-themselves" title="How do metaphors organize themselves?">How do metaphors organize themselves?</a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-41" href="#1-vehicle" title="1. Vehicle">1. Vehicle</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-42" href="#2-tenor" title="2. Tenor">2. Tenor</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-43" href="#3-ground" title="3. Ground">3. Ground</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-44" href="#4-tension" title="4. Tension">4. Tension</a></li></ul></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-45" href="#faqs" title="FAQs">FAQs</a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-46" href="#what-is-a-metaphor-2" title="What is a metaphor?">What is a metaphor?</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-47" href="#how-are-similes-and-metaphors-distinct-from-one-another" title="How are similes and metaphors distinct from one another?">How are similes and metaphors distinct from one another?</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-48" href="#how-exactly-does-one-go-about-writing-a-good-metaphor" title="How exactly does one go about writing a good metaphor?">How exactly does one go about writing a good metaphor?</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-49" href="#what-is-an-extended-metaphor" title="What is an extended metaphor?">What is an extended metaphor?</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-50" href="#what-is-a-dead-metaphor-and-how-can-it-go-unnoticed" title="What is a dead metaphor? And how can it go unnoticed?">What is a dead metaphor? And how can it go unnoticed?</a></li></ul></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-51" href="#conclusion" title="Conclusion">Conclusion</a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-52" href="#metaphors-make-sense" title="Metaphors make sense">Metaphors make sense</a></li></ul></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-53" href="#sources" title="Sources">Sources</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/tones/" class="bold-text-4"><strong bind="9bd9671a-c4c5-f296-a149-d2e552ddbe4f" class="bold-text-5">Tones</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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