常见英文修辞手法【总结定义+例子】Figures of speech

常见的英语修辞 修辞⼿法(figure of speech)修辞⼿法是通过修饰、调整语句，运⽤特定的表达形式以提⾼语⾔表达作⽤的⽅式和⽅法。

修辞不仅仅在中⽂⾥很常见，在英⽂⾥也是多种多样。

这篇⽂章⾥，我们就来谈⼀谈英⽂中常见的修辞⼿法。

常见的英语修辞 1.simile明喻 A simile is a figure of speech in which two fundamentally unlike things are explicitly compared, usually in a phrase introduced by like or as. 明喻是常⽤as或like等词将两种不同事物通过⽐较⽽连接起来的⼀种修辞⼿法。

让我们看⼏个例⼦： Good coffee is like friendship: rich and warm and strong. 好的咖啡如同友谊，丰厚，温暖，热烈。

Life is rather like opening a tin of sardines. We're all of us looking for the key. ⼈⽣就像⼀罐沙丁鱼，我们⼤家都在找开启的起⼦。

He was like a cock who thought the sun had risen from him to crow. 他这⼈就像⼀只骄傲的公鸡，以为太阳升起是为了它的啼叫。

2.metaphor暗喻 A metaphor is a trope or figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between two unlike things that actually have something in common. 暗喻是将两种有共同点的不同事物进⾏隐晦⽐较的修辞⼿法。

明喻与暗喻的不同点就在于是否有出现like或者as(像)这⼀类⽐喻词，下⾯这⼏个句⼦都是暗喻： Humor is the shock absorber of life; it helps us take action. 幽默是⽣活的减震器,它可以⿎舞⼈们付诸于⾏动。

常见英文修辞手法（Figures of Speech）英文的修辞手法种类繁多，功能多样，但总体说来，采用修辞手法，目的是为了使表达生动、形象，有感染力，给人以美感，即实现许渊冲先生所指的的语言的三美：“音美、形美和意美”。

1. figures of comparison: simile, metaphor. (resemblance of two identities) Simile: a figure involves an expressed comparison, always introduced by “like”, “as” or “as if”.e.g.:a. Hair is all over his head a foot long and hanging from his chin like a kinky mule tail. (Alice Walker: Everyday Use for Your Grandmama)b. Maggie’s hand is as limp as a fish. (Alice Walker: Everyday Use for Your Grandmama)Metaphor: the substitution of one thing for another because of the resemblance between them. It is an implied comparison without “as” or “like”. Nouns, verbs and adjectives can be used metaphorically.e.g.:a. Little donkeys with harmoniously tinkling bells thread their way among the throngs of people entering and leaving the bazaar. (The Middle Eastern Bazaar)b. The dye-market, the pottery-market and the carpenters’ market lie elsewhere in the maze of the vaulted streets which honeycomb this bazaar. (The Middle Eastern Bazaar)c. Darrow walked slowly round the baking court. (The Trial that Rocked the World)d. H. L. Mencken wrote sulphurous dispatches sitting in his pants with a fan blowing on him…(The Trial that Rocked the World)2. Personification: a figure that endows objects, animals, ideas, or abstractions with human form, character, or sensibility.1）TO inanimate objects（把无生命的物体拟人化）e.g.:a. The thirsty soil drank in the rain.b. The mist, like love, plays upon the heart of the hills and brings out surprises of beauty.2) to inanimate living organisms (把有生物拟人化) e.g.a. He (the Fox) muttered as he retreated: “Well! What does it matter! The Grapes are sour!”….( Aesop’s Fables)b. Stray birds of summer come to my window to sing and fly away.And yellow leaves of autumn, which have no songs, flutter and fall there with a sigh.(Tagore: Stray Birds)3) To inanimate concepts or ideas (把抽象概念拟人化) e.g.:a. Wrong cannot afford defeat but Right can. (谬误经不起失败，但真理却不怕失败)(Tagore: Stray Birds)b. These little thoughts are the rustle of leaves; they have their whisper of joy in my mind.(这些微思，是绿叶的簌簌之声呀；他们在我的心里，愉快地微语着。

Figures of Speech/Rhetorical DevicesI. IntroductionBy figures of speech we refer here to those rhetorical devices termed tropes in classical rhetoric. Tropes have to do with the way words are made to mean other than what they would normally imply, and therefore involve deviation from the ordinary and literal meaning of words. They are ways of making our language figurative.A knowledge of the figures, and of how they are best used will be of help to us not only in deepening our understanding of what we read, but also in appreciating more fully the finer points of a writer’s style. In the process, we might even learn to write better ourselves.The number of figures ranged from 65 to 200 in classical times. We will only choose those that are of most universal appeal, and of the greatest practical value.II. Simile and metaphor1.simile:It is a comparison between two distinctively different things and the comparison is indicated by the word as, like, as if, than. A simile is made up of three parts, the tenor, the vehicle, and the indicator of resemblance or simile marker.A simile is a figure of speech which makes a comparison between two unlike elements having at least one quality or characteristic in common. The comparison is purely imaginative, that is, the resemblance between the two unlike things in that one particular aspect exists only in our minds, in our “inward eye” and not in the nature of the things themselves. To make the comparison, words like as, as … as, as … so, like, as if, as though, sim ilar to, to bear a resemblance to, and comparative structure, prepositional phrases, and other collocations are used to transfer the quality we associate with one to the other. Sometimes the association is between unfamiliar and familiar things, or between abstract and concrete images. The stronger the association that is felt, the greater the force of the comparison, the stronger the power of suggestion and the sharper the image produced.1) likea. And then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel and shining morningface, creeping like snail unwillingly to school … (Shakespeare)b. He was like a cock who thought the sun had risen for him to crow.c. Records fell like ripe apples on a windy day.d. Mother was short and plump and pretty. Her eyes were blue, and herbrown hair was like a bird’s smooth wings …e. Habit may be likened to a cable; every day we weave a thread, and soonwe cannot break it.2) asa. Men fear death, as children fear to go in the dark: and as that natural fearin children is increased with tales, so is the other.b. As the lion is king of beasts, so is the eagle king of birds.3) as if, as thougha. She spoke hurriedly, as if her heart had leaped into her throat at theboy’s words.b. He was a beautiful horse that looked as though he had come out of apainting by Velasquez.4) whata. Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.b. What salt is to food, that wit and humour are to conversation andliterature.5) thana. He has no more idea of money than a cow.b. A home without love is no more than a body without a soul.6) anda. A word and a stone let go cannot be recalled.b. Love and cough cannot be hid.7) witha. With the quickness of a long cat,she climbed up into the nest ofcool-bladed foliage.2.metaphor:It is the use of a word which originally denotes one thing to refer to another with a similar quality. It is also a comparison between two distinctively different things, but the comparison is implied, not expressed with the word as or like. Metaphor is also called Condensed Simile. Metaphors are used not only after verb to be, and not only nouns can be used metaphorically, adjectives, adverbs, verbs can also be used metaphorically.1) n.a. The parks are the lungs of our city.b. Money is a lens in a camera.2) v.a. Applications for jobs flooded the Employment Agency.3) adj.a. The mountainous waves swallowed up the ship.4) of phrasethe bridge of friendship, the valley of despair, a flower of a girlIII. Analogy, allegory, metonymy, synecdoche and allusion1.analogyIt is also a form of comparison, but unlike simile or metaphor, which usually concentrates on one point of resemblance, analogy draws a parallel between two unlike things that have several common qualities or points of resemblance. Analogy is chiefly used for the purpose of persuasion or for the explanation or exposition of an idea. Analogy could be a simile or a metaphor, it is a combination of different figurative usages.a.“The chess-board is the world; the pieces are the phenomena of theuniverse; the rules of the game are what we call the laws of Nature. The player on the other side is hidden from us. …”b.It’s with our judgments as with our watches; none go just alike, yet eachbelieves his own.c.Judicious praise is to children what the sun is to flowers.d.The inspiration for a story is like “a pull on the line… the outside signalthat has startled or moved the creative mind to complicity and brought the story to active being…”Analogy looks like simile in form, but the difference is: analogy provide the reason for the differences while simile and metaphor remain unexplained.2.allegory:It is a milder figurative use than metaphor, it applies concrete images to illustrate abstract notions, it leads the readers to get to the nature of things or profound concepts through concrete images and easy facts.a.No rose without a thorn.b.It’s time to turn swords into ploughs.Names of books:Pilgrim’s Progress; Animal FarmMany allegories come from classical myths, some English proverbs and idioms are good examples of allegory.All that glisters is not gold. (from The Merchant of Venice)3.metonymy:It is substituting the name of one thing for that of another with which it is closely associated. There are four kinds:1)the container for things contained (bottle for wine, kettle for water, potfor soup)a. The kettle is boiling.2)the instrument for the agent (pen—writing, gun/sword—fighting)a. The pen is stronger than the sword.3)the sign (cradle—childhood, crown—king, throne—king)a.He must have been spoilt from the cradle.b.The grey hair should be respected.c.What is learned in the cradle is carried to the g rave.d.Having finished the law school, he was called to the Bar.e.She has the eye for the fair and the beautiful.4)othersJournalists often use metonymy to refer to all kinds of people orthings. It is very brief and humorous.a.Romeo: loverb.Helen: beautiful womanc.John Bull: England/ the English peopled.Downing Street: the British government/cabinete.The Pentagon: the U.S. military establishmentf.Big apple: New York4.synecdoche:When a part is substituted for the whole or the whole is substituted for a part, synecdoche is applied. (hand—man, bread—food, creature—woman)a.More hands (working men) are needed at the moment.b.We had dinner at ten dollars a head (each person).c.All the plants in the cold country are turning green in this smiling year (thespring).5.allusion:It is a brief reference to a person, place, phrase, or event drawn from history or literature. Allusions are effective not because of the meaning of the words themselves but because of the associations or connotations that allusive words carry for the intelligent reader. The use of allusion allows poets to reinforce an argument by illustration, to compress complex ideas into brief phrases, and to suggest thoughts they may not wish to state directly. Names arethe most common forms of allusion and the easiest to identity. There are different sources of allusions, like nursery rhymes, fairy tales, myths, legends, fables and literary works, etc.a.Cinderella: pretty girl, mistreated by stepmother but helped by fairygodmother to win her Prince Charming: a rags-to-riches theme.b.“Open Sesame”: code word to the treasure cave in story of Ali Baba andthe Forty Thieves; the key to hidden treasures, knowledge, etc.c.Sour Grapes: a fox called the grapes it couldn’t reach sour. When we can’tget what we want, we often disparage it.d.Noah and his Arke.Solomon: a wise man, who can judge between right and wrong, true andfalse.f.Judas: the disciple who betrayed Christ to his enemies for 30 pieces ofsilver.★Exercises: Identify the figures of speech in the following sentences:a.In rivers the water that you touch is the last of that has passed and the firstof that which comes: so with time present. (analogy)b.Greece was the cradle of western culture. (metaphor)ugh and the world laughs with you; weep and you weep alone. (allegory)d.The city has it philharmonic but also its poverty. (metonymy)e.I took a last drowning look at the title as I gave the book into her hand.(metaphor)f.He was like a cock who thought the sun had risen to hear him crow.(simile—the suggestion of overwhelming conceit in the man)g.Then he cut me open and took out the appendix and stitched me up again.(synecdoche—cut his abdomen open)IV. Personification, zoosemy and onomatopoeia1.personification:It is to treat a thing (including an animal) or an idea as if it were human or had human qualities. It is also a kind of figurative usage, esp. a metaphor.a.The sun kissed the green fields.b.The youth were singing, laughing and playing the music instruments. Thetrees and flowers around them danced heartily as if touch by merry mood.c.The little goat was so fussy that he often cried for wolf.d.Death feeds on his mute voice, and laughs at our despair.2.zoosemy:It is to treat a person as a thing (including an animal, plant, lifeless thing,abstract notion, etc.).a.His spoilt children are ill-gotten goods that’ll never prosper.b.“A lucky dog you are!” exclaimed Jim.c.Children are flowers of our country.d.O, my love is like a red, red, red rose.e.He slept like a log.3.onomatopoeia:The formation of words that are like natural sounds.chortle, snigger, snore, mumble, cackle, baa, clink, clank, bump, boom, grumble, crack, splash, buzz, hum, tinkle, chatter, rumble, hiss, smack, etc. V. Irony, paradox, oxymoron, innuendo, sarcasm1.irony:It is the use of words which are clearly opposite to what is meant, in order to achieve a special effect. Words expressing the real meaning don’t appear in the sentence.a.It must be delightful to find oneself in a foreign country without a penny inone’s pocket.b.By midmorning a forty-one-year-old teacher had been shot dead, with hissecurity card in hand, and another teacher struck by two nine-millimeter bullets, was extraordinarily lucky to be alive. Two others narrowly escaped Nicholas Elliot’s bullets.c.They are almost as wise as the wise men of Gotham. (a village of fools)2.oxymoron:In oxymoron apparently contradictory terms are combined to produce a special effect. Words are contradictory, appearing in the sentence at the same time but they might not be the same part of speech.a.living deathb.tearful joyc.cold pleasant mannerd.poor rich guyse.dully brightf.falsely trueg.hasten slowlyh.groan loudlyi.love-hate relationshipj.the sound of silence3. pun and paradox:An ambiguous statement that is intended to be humorous is called a pun. Puns almost invariably attain their effect by using one of the thousands of word pairs in English (called homonyms) that are identical in sound and spelling but different in meaning.a.You will go nuts for the nuts you get in Nux. (an ad.)b.Try our sweet corn. You’ll smile from ear to ear.c.Drunk drivers put the quart before the hearse.d.Why is an empty purse always the same? Because there is never change init.e.We would like very much to have you for dinner.Just as a pun is a form of ambiguity that plays on words, a paradox plays on ideas. In general, a paradox involves a contradiction between the physical or material meaning of words and their spiritual, emotional, or supernatural connotation.a.More haste, less speed.b.In fact, it appears that the teachers of English teach English so poorlylargely because they teach grammar so well.c.Paradoxically, the faster he tried to finish, the longer it seemed to take him.4.innuendo:It is a mild form of irony, hinting in a rather roundabout way at something disparaging or uncomplimentary to the person or subject mentioned.a.“The weatherman said it would be warm. He must take his readings in abathroom.” (The author is hinting at the inaccuracy of the weatherman’s weather report. The weather is cold, rather than warm.)b.Have you finished my book yet? Sorry, I stopped at page 412, with 40pages to go.5.sarcasm:It is just the opposite of innuendo. It attacks in a taunting and bitter manner, and its aim is to disparage, ridicule and wound the feelings of the subject attacked.a.“In the evening the poor wounded boy was taken to that experienced doctor,who by applying some poisonous concoction of crushed leaves to his left eye, succeeded in blinding him!”b.When children call a boy “Four Eyes” because he wears glasses, they arespeaking in sarcasm.VI. Hyperbole, understatement, euphemism1. euphemism:It is the substitution of a mild or vague expression for a harsh or unpleasant one.a.garbageman— G-manb.butcher —meat technologistvatory—bathroom, restroom, washroom, ladies’/gentlemen’s roomd.fat— plump/overweighte.third class—business class, economic classf.die—pass awayg.old— to be elderly/seniorh.pregnant— to be expectingi.mean—economic/thrifty2. overstatement/hyperbole—understatement:In overstatement the diction exaggerates the subject, and in understatement the words play down the magnitude or value of the subject.Overstatement:a.For she was beautiful—her beauty madeThe bright world dim, and everything besideSeemed like the fleeting image of a shade.b.Only here can you have such jeans of the best quality and the lowestprice at downtown.Understatement:a.Sorry, this is in fact more than I can promise.b.The piece of work is nothing to be proud of.c.If this regime is out of power, no tear in to be shed.3. litotes:A way of expressing a thought by its opposite, esp. with words like not or no.a.From his mouth flowed speech sweeter than honey.b.They almost died laughing.c.That’s no laughing matter. (That’s a ser ious matter.)d.She was not without ambition.VII. Alliteration, assonance, consonance1. alliteration:It refers to the appearance of the same initial consonant sound in two or more words.promise, problem and provision; as proud as a peacock2. assonance:It is the repetition in two or more nearby words of similar vowel sounds (chalk wall fall).The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.3.consonance:It is the repetition in two or two more nearby words of similar consonant sounds preceded by different accented vowels (chalk, pluck, knock).rough and tough; a blessed ghostVIII. Contrast, parallelism and antithesis1. contrast:It is used to show clearly the differences. The elements in a contrast form contrast in meaning, but the structure remain different.a.Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of laboring thoseproblems which divide us.b.Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate.2. parallelism:It is over-regularity in language use. The creative writer may restrict himself in language choice by using paralleled structures, which shows parallelism or repetition.a.To err is human, to forgive divine.b.In good weather, the passage from England to America could take twentydays; but in bad weather, it could take more than two months.c.He had plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, anddestroyed the lives of our people.d.Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability.3. antithesis:It is a combination of parallelism and contrast, that is to say, the elements in the sentence should be paralleled in structure and contrastive in meaning. a.“The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it,far above our poor power to add or detract.” ---Abraham Lincolnb.If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the fewwho are rich. ----John. F. Kennedyc.They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.IX. Transferred epithet, syllepsis and zeugma1. transferred epithet:An epithet is an adjective or descriptive phrase that serves to characterizesomebody or something. A transferred epithet is one that is shifted from the noun (or pronoun) it logically modifies to a word associated with that noun.a. a dizzy height: a height that causes people to feel dizzyb. a sweet voice: (taste to hearing)c. a sleepless nightd. a happy childhoode.There was an amazed silence. Slowly Alexander turned away.f.The big man crashed down on a protesting chair.2. syllepsis:It has two connotations. In the first case, it is a figure by which a word, or a particular form or inflection of a word, refers to two or more words in the same sentence, while properly applying to or agreeing with only one of them in grammar or syntax.Either the children or I are going. (are is relation to children, not I)In the second case, syllepsis is a figure by which a word may refer to two or more words in the same sentence, applying to one literally and to the others figuratively. This aspect of the figure, plays more on the sense or idiom of words, than on grammar.a.I got up early yesterday and managed to catch a bus and a cold.b.She had to swallow bread and butter and a spasm of emotion.3. zeugma (syllepsis):It is a figure of speech by which a single word is made to modify or to govern two or more words in the same sentence, either properly applying in sense to only one of them, or applying to them in different senses.The sun shall not burn thee by day, nor the moon by night.X. Rhetorical questionIt is one question asked for effect, no answer being needed. It is not asked to seek an answer, or the answer is self-evident.XI. Climaxa.To acquire wealth is difficult, to preserve it more difficult, but to spend itwisely most difficult.b.I came, I saw, I conquered. ---Julius Cacesarc.It was the ruin of the family, the uprooting of moral, the destruction ofGermany.XII. Anti-climaxa.The explosion completely destroyed a church, two houses, and a flowerpot.b.The only solid and lasting peace between a man and his wife is doubtless aseparation.XIII. RepetitionThere are three things which the public will always clamour for sooner or later, namely, novelty, novelty, novelty.XIV. AntonomasiaA substitution of a titleBeverly Hills/Manhattan’s upper west side—residential areas for the rich （Lesson Three, Page 41, Para 14，Line 8）11。

FiguresofSpeech修辞手法I. Literal TranslationSimile:She sat like patience on a monument, smiling at grief.她坐在纪念碑上，像个木偶人，对悲哀一笑置之。

He drove as if possessed by the devil.他着魔似的驾车狂奔。

As cold as ice冰冷/as hot as fire火热/as hard as a rock坚如磐石/as light as feather(air)轻如鸿毛/as busy as a bee像蜜蜂一样忙碌/as bold as a lion像狮子一样勇敢/as cheerful as a lark像云雀一样快活/as blind as a bat瞎得像只蝙蝠/as cool as a cucumber非常冷静/as sharp as a needle十分精明/as tight as a drum非常不肯花钱As sure as a gun一点不错As black as ink(night/pitch)/as clear as crystal/as cheap as dirt/as close as an oyster/as cunning as a fox/as deep as a well/as fit as a fiddle/as gentle as a lamb/as green as grass/as free as air(a bird)/as fat as a pig/as easy as ABC/as fresh as a rose/as happy as a king/as heavy as lead/as innocent(helpless) as a new-born babe/as hungry as a hunter/as obstinate(stubborn) as a mule/as nervous as a kitten(cat)/as old as the hills(time)/as proud(vain) as a peacock/as quiet(silent, still) as the grave(tomb)/as strong as a horse(an ox)/as smooth as velvet/as sweet as honey/as wise as Solomon(an owl)/as sober as a judge Clothes or no clothes, I can read you like a book. (Ma Hongjun, P.24)MetaphorJane’s uncle is an old fox, up to all kinds of evils.简的叔叔是个老狐狸，什么坏事都干得出来。

Figures of speech (修辞)are ways of making our language figurative. When we use words in other than their ordinary or literal sense to lend force to an idea, to heigh ten effect, or to create suggestive imagery, we are said to be speaking or writing fi guratively. Now we are going to talk about some common forms of figures of speec h.1) Simile：(明喻）It is a figure of speech which makes a comparison between two unlike elements having at least one quality or characteristic (特性)in common. To make the comparison, words like as, as...as, as if and like are used to transfer the quality we associate with one to the other. For example, As cold waters to a thirst y soul, so is good news from a far country.2) Metaphor：(暗喻）It is like a simile, also makes a comparison between two unli ke elements, but unlike a simile, this comparison is implied rather than stated. For example, the world is a stage.3) Analogy: (类比）It is also a form of comparison, but unlike simile or metaphor which usually uses comparison on one point of resemblance, analogy draws a parall el between two unlike things that have several common qualities or points of resem blance.4) Personification: (拟人）It gives human form of feelings to animals, or life and personal attributes(赋予) to inanimate(无生命的) objects, or to ideas and abstraction s(抽象). For example, the wind whistled through the trees.5) Hyperbole: (夸张）： It is the deliberate use of overstatement or exaggeration t o achieve emphasis. For instance, he almost died laughing.6) Understatement: (含蓄陈述）It is the opposite of hyperbole, or overstatement. It achieves its effect of emphasizing a fact by deliberately(故意地) understating it, i mpressing the listener or the reader more by what is merely implied or left unsaid than by bare statement. For instance, It is no laughing matter.7) Euphemism: (委婉）It is the substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive(无冒犯) expression for one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant. For instance, we refer to "die" as” pass away".8) Metonymy (转喻）It is a figure of speech that has to do with the substitution of the mane of one thing for that of another. For instance, the pen (words) is mi ghtier than the sword (forces).9) Synecdoche (提喻）It is involves the substitution of the part for the whole, or the whole for the part. For instance, they say there's bread and work for all. She was dressed in silks.10) Antonomasia (换喻）It has also to do with substitution. It is not often mentio ned now, though it is still in frequent use. For example, Solomon for a wise man. Daniel for a wise and fair judge. Judas for a traitor.11) Pun: (双关语）It is a play on words, or rather a play on the form and meani ng of words. For instance, a cannon-ball took off his legs, so he laid down his arm s. (Here "arms" has two meanings: a person's body; weapons carried by a soldier.)12) Solipsism: (一语双叙）It has two connotations. In the first case, it is a figure by which a word, or a particular form or inflection of a word, refers to two or m ore words in the same sentence, while properly applying to or agreeing with only o n of them in grammar or syntax(句法). For example, He addressed you and me, an d desired us to follow him. (Here we are used to refer to you and me.)In the second case, it a word may refer to two or more words in the same sente nce. For example, while he was fighting, and losing limb and mind, and dying, othe rs stayed behind to pursue education and career. (Here to losing one's limbs in liter al; to lose one's mind is figurative, and means to go mad.)13) Zeugma: (轭式搭配）It is a single word which is made to modify or to gover n two or more words in the same sentence, wither properly applying in sense to o nly one of them, or applying to them in different senses. For example, the sun shal l not burn you by day or the moon by night. (Here noon is not strong enough to burn)14) Irony: (反语）It is a figure of speech that achieves emphasis by saying the opposite of what is meant, the intended meaning of the words being the opposite of their usual sense. For instance, we are lucky, what you said makes me feel realgood.15) Innuendo: (暗讽）It is a mild form of irony, hinting in a rather roundab out (曲折)way at something disparaging(不一致) or uncomplimentary(不赞美) to the person or subject mentioned. For example, the weatherman said it would be worm. He must take his readings in a bathroom.16) Sarcasm: (讽刺）It Sarcasm is a strong form of irony. It attacks in a taunting and bitter manner, and its aim is to disparage, ridicule and wound the feelings of the subject attacked. For example, laws are like cobwebs, which may catch small f lies, but let wasps break through.17) Paradox: (似非而是的隽语）It is a figure of speech consisting of a statement or proposition which on the face of it seems self-contradictory, absurd or contrary t oestablished fact or practice, but which onfurther thinking and study may prove to be true, well-founded, and even to contain a succinct point. For example more hast e, less speed.18) Oxymoron: (矛盾修饰）It is a compressed paradox, formed by the conjoinin g(结合) of two contrasting, contradictory or incongruous(不协调) terms as in bitter-s weet memories, orderly chaos(混乱) and proud humility(侮辱).19) Antithesis: (对照）It is the deliberate arrangement of contrasting words or i deas in balanced structural forms to achieve emphasis. For example, speech is silver; silence is golden.20) Epigram: (警句）It states a simple truth pithily(有利地) and pungently(强烈地). It is usually terse and arouses interest and surprise by its deep insight into certain aspects of human behavior or feeling. For instance, Few, save the poor, feel for the poor.21) Climax: (渐进）It is derived from the Greek word for "ladder" and implies the progression of thought at a uniform or almost uniform rate of significance or inte nsity, like the steps of a ladder ascending evenly. For example, I came, I saw, I co nquered.22) Anti-climax or bathos: (突降） It is the opposite of Climax. It involves stating one's thoughts in a descending order of significance or intensity, from strong to weak, from weighty to light or frivolous. For instance, But thousands die, without or this or that, die, and endow(赋予) a college, or a cat.23) Apostrophe：(顿呼）In this figure of speech, a thing, place, idea or perso n (dead or absent) is addressed as if present, listening and understanding what is being said.For instance, England! awake! awake! awake!24) Transferred Epithet: (转类形容词）It is a figure of speech where an epithet (an adjective or descriptive phrase) is transferred from the noun it should rightly m odify(修饰) to another to which it does not really apply or belong. For instance, I s pent sleepless nights on my project.25) Alliteration: (头韵）It has to do with the sound rather than the sense of wo rds for effect. It is a device that repeats the same sound at frequent intervals(间隔) and since the sound repeated is usually the initial consonant sound, it is also calle d "front rhyme". For instance, the fair breeze blew, the white foam flew, the furrow followed free.26) Onomatopoeia: (拟声）It is a device that uses words which imitate the soun ds made by an object (animate or inanimate), or which are associated with or sug gestive(提示的) of some action or movement。

英语修辞手法总结Figures of speech (修辞)are ways of making our language figurative. When we use words in other than their ordinary or literal sense to lend force to an idea, to heighten effect, or to create suggestive imagery, we are said to be speaking or writing figuratively. Now we are going to talk about some common forms of figures of speech.1) Simile：(明喻）It is a figure of speech which makes a comparison between two unlike elements having at least one quality or characteristic (特性)in common. To make the comparison, words like as, as...as, as if and like are used to transfer the quality we associate with one to the other. For example, As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.2) Metaphor：(暗喻）It is like a simile, also makes a comparison between two unlike elements, but unlike a simile, this comparison is implied rather than stated. For example, the world is a stage. 3) Analogy: (类比）It is also a form of comparison, but unlike simile or metaphor which usually uses comparison on one point of resemblance, analogy draws a parallel between two unlike things that have several common qualities or points of resemblance.4) Personification: (拟人）It gives human form of feelings to animals, or life and personal attributes(赋予) to inanimate(无生命的) objects, or to ideas and abstractions(抽象). For example, the wind whistled through the trees.5) Hyperbole: (夸张）It is the deliberate use of overstatement or exaggeration to achieve emphasis. For instance, he almost died laughing.6) Understatement: (含蓄陈述）It is the opposite of hyperbole, or overstatement. It achieves its effect of emphasizing a fact by deliberately(故意地) understating it, impressing the listener or the reader more by what is merely implied or left unsaid than by bare statement. For instance, It is no laughing matter.7) Euphemism: (委婉）It is the substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive(无冒犯) expression for one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant. For instance, we refer to "die" as " pass away".8) Metonymy (转喻）It is a figure of speech that has to do with the substitution of the mane of one thing for that of another. For instance, the pen (words) is mightier than the sword (forces). 9) Synecdoche (提喻）It is involves the substitution of the part for the whole, or the whole for the part. For instance, they say there's bread and work for all. She was dressed in silks.10) Antonomasia (换喻）It has also to do with substitution. It is not often mentioned now, though it is still in frequent use. For example, Solomon for a wise man. Daniel for a wise and fair judge. Judas for a traitor.11) Pun: (双关语）It is a play on words, or rather a play on the form and meaning of words. For instance, a cannon-ball took off his legs, so he laid down his arms. (Here "arms" has two meanings: a person's body; weapons carried by a soldier.)12) Syllepsis: (一语双叙）It has two connotations.In the first case, it is a figure by which a word, or a particular form or inflection of a word, refers to two or more words in the same sentence, while properly applying to or agreeing with only on of them in grammar or syntax(句法). For example, He addressed you and me, and desired us to follow him. (Here us is used to refer to you and me.)In the second case, it a word may refer to two or more words in the same sentence. For example, while he was fighting , and losing limb and mind, and dying, others stayed behind topursue education and career. (Here to losing one's limbs in literal; to lose one's mind is figurative, and means to go mad.)13) Zeugma: (轭式搭配）It is a single word which is made to modify or to govern two or more words in the same sentence, wither properly applying in sense to only one of them, or applying to them in different senses. For example, The sun shall not burn you by day, nor the moon by night. (Here noon is not strong enough to burn)14) Irony: (反语）It is a figure of speech that achieves emphasis by saying the opposite of what is meant, the intended meaning of the words being the opposite of their usual sense. For instance, we are lucky, what you said makes me feel real good.15) Innuendo: (暗讽）It is a mild form of irony, hinting in a rather roundabout (曲折)way at something disparaging(不一致) or uncomplimentary(不赞美) to the person or subject mentioned. For example, the weatherman said it would be worm. He must take his readings in a bathroom. 16) Sarcasm: (讽刺）It Sarcasm is a strong form of irony. It attacks in a taunting and bitter manner, and its aim is to disparage, ridicule and wound the feelings of the subject attacked. For example, laws are like cobwebs, which may catch small flies, but let wasps break through.17) Paradox: (似非而是的隽语）It is a figure of speech consisting of a statement or proposition which on the face of it seems self-contradictory, absurd or contrary to established fact or practice, but which on further thinking and study may prove to be true, well-founded, and even to containa succinct point. For example more haste, less speed.18) Oxymoron: (矛盾修饰）It is a compressed paradox, formed by the conjoining(结合) of two contrasting, contradictory or incongruous(不协调) terms as in bitter-sweet memories, orderly chaos(混乱) and proud humility(侮辱).19) Antithesis: (对照）It is the deliberate arrangement of contrasting words or ideas in balanced structural forms to achieve emphasis. For example, speech is silver; silence is golden.20) Epigram: (警句）It states a simple truth pithily(有利地) and pungently(强烈地). It is usually terse and arouses interest and surprise by its deep insight into certain aspects of human behavior or feeling. For instance, Few, save the poor, feel for the poor.21) Climax: (渐进）It is derived from the Greek word for "ladder" and implies the progression of thought at a uniform or almost uniform rate of significance or intensity, like the steps of a ladder ascending evenly. For example, I came, I saw, I conquered.22) Anti-climax or bathos: (突降）It is the opposite of Climax. It involves stating one's thoughts ina descending order of significance or intensity, from strong to weak, from weighty to light or frivolous. For instance, But thousands die, without or this or that, die, and endow(赋予) a college, or a cat.23) Apostrophe：(顿呼）In this figure of speech, a thing, place, idea or person (dead or absent) is addressed as if present, listening and understanding what is being said. For instance, England! awake! awake! awake!24) Transferred Epithet: (转类形容词）It is a figure of speech where an epithet (an adjective or descriptive phrase) is transferred from the noun it should rightly modify(修饰) to another to which it does not really apply or belong. For instance, I spent sleepless nights on my project.25) Alliteration: (头韵）It has to do with the sound rather than the sense of words for effect. It isa device that repeats the same sound at frequent intervals(间隔) and since the sound repeated is usually the initial consonant sound, it is also called "front rhyme". For instance, the fair breeze blew, the white foam flew, the furrow followed free.26) Onomatopoeia: (拟声）It is a device that uses words which imitate the sounds made by an object (animate or inanimate), or which are associated with or suggestive(提示的) of some action or movementExplanation version1一、什么是修辞格修辞格(figures of speech)是提高语言表达效果的语言艺术。

常见英语修辞格（总结版）英语常见的修辞格Figures of speech (修辞)are ways of making our language figurative. When we use words in other than their ordinary or literal sense to lend force to an idea, to heighten effect, or to create suggestive imagery, we are said to be speaking or writing figuratively. Now we are going to talk about some common forms of figures of speech.1) Simile：(明喻）It is a figure of speech which makes a comparison between two unlike elements having at least one quality or characteristic (特性)in common. To make the comparison, words like as, as...as, as if and like are used to transfer the quality we associate with one to the other. For example, As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.明喻（simile）是以两种具有相同特征的事物和现象进行对比，表明本体和喻体之间的相似关系，两者都在对比中出现。

常用比喻词like，as，as if，as though等，例如：1、This elephant is like a snake as anybody can see.这头象和任何人见到的一样像一条蛇。