literal and figurative language; determiners of a sentence

Literal language means what it says.

Examples:1. Grass looks green.

2. Sand feels rough.

3. The flower smells sweet.

4. Grasshoppers make a high pitched noise.

Figurative language uses similes, metaphors,

hyperbole, and personification to describe something often through

comparison with something different.

SimilesA 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

Examples

1. My childlike brother, who crashed our neighbor’s window, is crazy like a fox.

2. David is as brave as a lion.

MetaphorsA figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or

action to which it is not literally applicable

ExamplesMy brother was boiling

mad

This implies he was too angry.

The assignment was a breeze.

This implies that the

assignment was not difficult.

It is going to be clear skies from

now on.

This implies that clear skies are not a threat and life is

going to be without hardships.

The skies of his future began to

darken.

Darkness is a threat;

therefore, this implies that the coming times

are going to be hard for him.

Her voice is music to his ears.

This implies that her voice makes him feel happy.

A hyperbole is an extreme exaggeration used to make a point.

Examples:It was so cold I saw polar bears wearing jackets.I am so hungry I could eat a horse.If I can’t get a Smartphone, I will die.This car goes faster than the speed of light.Our new house cost a bazillion dollars.We are poor and don’t have two cents to rub together.

Hyperboles in AdsA T & T - Reach out and touch someone.Citgo - There at every turn.Brilliant Brunette shampoo - Adds amazing luster for infinite, mirror-like shine.Disneyland - The happiest place on earth. Esso - Put a tiger in your tank. Energizer - Keeps going and going and going. Geico - It's so easy, a caveman can do it.iPhone 5 - Browse, download and stream content at blazing-fast speeds.Redbull - It gives you wings!Sherwin Williams - Cover the earth. Visa - It’s everywhere you want to be.321 East - How good is our steak? Last week a man who was choking on a piece refused the Heimlich maneuver.

PersonificationPersonification is a figure of

speech in which a thing, an idea or an animal is given human attributes. The non-human

objects are portrayed in such a way that we feel they have the ability to act like human beings.

ExamplesLook at my car. She is a beauty, isn’t it so?The wind whispered through dry grass.The flowers danced in the gentle breeze.Time and tide waits for none.The fire swallowed the entire forest.

Determiner of a Sentence

The determiner is an important noun modifier which provides introduces and provides context to a noun, often in terms of quantity and possession. Determiners in English precede a noun or noun phrase and include articles, demonstratives, quantifiers and possessives.

ArticlesArticles are among the most common of the determiners. A, an, and the all express the definiteness and specificity of a noun.

For example, “the” is a definite article, meaning the person using the word is referring to a specific one. On the other hand, “a” or “an” are indefinite articles.

The dog is barking too loudly.A student returned the book.

DemonstrativesDemonstratives, such as this, that, these and those, require a frame of reference in which an individual can point out the entities referred to by a speaker or a writer.

Do you want this piece of chicken?I don't want to go to that movie.

QuantifiersQuantifiers, such as all, few, and many, point out how much or how little of something is being indicated.

He took all the books.Few of the children wanted to go to the zoo.

PossesivesWhen referring to an entity that belongs to another, you can use possessives. My, your, their, and its are a few examples.

Is this your car?The dog growled and showed its teeth.