Grammar Practice Quiz: the simile vs metaphor
Stories explaining simile vs metaphor:
1. Simile
In the bustling city of Harmonyville, there was a man named John who loved to play the piano. He played with such grace and skill that his music was like a soothing lullaby for the weary souls of the city.
In this story, the phrase "like a soothing lullaby" is a simile. It compares John's music to a lullaby using the word "like." Similes explicitly state the comparison using "like" or "as," allowing the reader to easily understand the similarity being conveyed.
2. Metaphor
Once upon a time in a small, peaceful village, there was a young girl named Lily. Lily was known throughout the village for her kindness and her ability to bring joy to everyone she met. People often said that Lily was a "ray of sunshine."
In this story, the phrase "ray of sunshine" is a metaphor. It directly compares Lily to sunshine without using "like" or "as." This comparison suggests that Lily's personality and presence have the same uplifting and brightening effect as the sun. Metaphors create a direct and implied connection between two things.
3. The difference between a metaphor and a simile
The main difference between a metaphor and a simile is in how they make comparisons:
- A metaphor directly equates one thing with another, suggesting that they are the same or share similar characteristics without using "like" or "as."
- A simile, on the other hand, makes a comparison using "like" or "as" to highlight a similarity between two things.
20 famous quotes that involve similes and metaphors:
- "Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're gonna get." - Forrest Gump
- "Her smile was as bright as the morning sun."
- "His words cut through the silence like a knife."
- "The old man's memory was as clear as crystal."
- "She danced as gracefully as a swan on the lake."
- "Time flies like an arrow."
- "The city streets were as busy as a beehive."
- "His voice was smooth like velvet."
- "The night sky sparkled like a thousand diamonds."
- "The news hit me like a ton of bricks."
- "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players." - William Shakespeare
- "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." - Saint Augustine
- "The ship plowed through the sea, a mighty beast on the prowl."
- "Her heart was a fragile glass, easily shattered by his words."
- "The classroom was a zoo, with students behaving like wild animals."
- "His love was a raging fire, consuming everything in its path."
- "Life is a journey that must be traveled no matter how bad the roads and accommodations." - Oliver Goldsmith
- "The economy is a roller coaster, with its ups and downs."
- "The world is a garden, and we are the gardeners, shaping its future."
- "Her laughter was a symphony of joy, filling the room with its beautiful melody."