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Both compare things, but differently. A metaphor says one thing IS another: 'Time is a thief.' A simile compares using 'like' or 'as': 'He fights like a lion', 'as cold as ice.'
These devices make writing vivid and memorable. The key difference: a simile signals the comparison with like/as; a metaphor states it directly.
Ejemplos
Time is a thief — she stole our youth.
Metaphor: time IS a thief (no 'like').
He fights like a lion.
Simile: comparison with 'like'.
Her stare was as cold as ice.
Simile with 'as ... as'.
metaphor
/ˈmetəfɔːr/
Time is a thief — she stole our youth.
simile
/ˈsɪməli/
He fights like a lion.
as cold as ice
/əz koʊld əz aɪs/
Her stare was as cold as ice.
drowning in work
/ˈdraʊnɪŋ ɪn wɜːk/
I'm drowning in work this week.
Which sentence is a simile?
Complete the simile: Her stare was as cold as ___.
These are sound devices. Alliteration repeats the same initial consonant sound: 'She sells seashells.' Rhyme repeats end sounds ('cat/mat'), and assonance repeats vowel sounds: 'The rain in Spain.'
They make phrases catchy and rhythmic — common in poetry, slogans and memorable speech.
Ejemplos
She sells seashells by the seashore.
Alliteration: repeated /s/ sound.
The cat sat on the mat.
Rhyme: cat / sat / mat.
The rain in Spain stays mainly on the plain.
Assonance: repeated /eɪ/ vowel.
alliteration
/əˌlɪtəˈreɪʃən/
She sells seashells by the seashore.
internal rhyme
/ɪnˈtɜːrnəl raɪm/
The cat sat on the mat.
assonance
/ˈæsənəns/
The rain in Spain stays mainly on the plain.
What device is 'She sells seashells by the seashore'?
The repetition of vowel sounds is called ___ (a-...).
These are structural devices. Anaphora repeats the same words at the start of successive clauses: 'We shall fight on the beaches; we shall fight on the landing grounds.' Parallelism balances similar structures: 'Easy come, easy go.'
A tricolon is a memorable set of three: 'I came, I saw, I conquered.' These create rhythm and emphasis in persuasive writing.
Ejemplos
We shall fight on the beaches; we shall fight on the landing grounds.
Anaphora: repeated 'We shall fight'.
Easy come, easy go.
Parallelism: balanced structure.
I came, I saw, I conquered.
Tricolon: a powerful group of three.
anaphora
/əˈnæfərə/
We shall fight on the beaches; we shall fight on the landing grounds.
parallelism
/ˈpærəlelɪzəm/
Easy come, easy go.
tricolon
/traɪˈkoʊlɒn/
Veni, vidi, vici. (I came, I saw, I conquered.)
Repeating the same words at the start of clauses is called:
A memorable group of three is a ___ (tri-...).
These devices play with meaning. Irony says the opposite of what is meant, often for sarcasm: 'How nice — another rainy holiday.' Hyperbole is deliberate exaggeration: 'I've told you a million times!' Understatement does the reverse, downplaying: 'It's a bit chilly' in a blizzard.
Personification gives human qualities to non-human things: 'The wind whispered.'
Ejemplos
How nice — another rainy holiday.
Irony / sarcasm: opposite is meant.
I've told you a million times!
Hyperbole: obvious exaggeration.
The wind whispered through the trees.
Personification: wind given a human action.
irony
/ˈaɪrəni/
How nice — another rainy holiday. (sarcasm)
hyperbole
/haɪˈpɜːrbəli/
I've told you a million times!
understatement
/ˈʌndərsteɪtmənt/
It's a bit chilly. (during a blizzard)
personification
/pərˌsɒnɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/
The wind whispered through the trees.
'I've told you a million times!' is an example of:
Giving human qualities to objects is called ___ (person-...).
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