NMAT VARC Figure of Speech: Types, Examples & Identification Tricks

Figures of speech make language more powerful, impactful, persuasive, and expressive by using words beyond their most direct meanings. In NMAT VARC, questions may ask you to identify the figure of speech used in a sentence, making quick recognition more useful than lengthy analysis.

The key to solving these questions efficiently is to identify the specific feature of the sentence. A comparison using like/as, an exaggerated statement, a human action given to a non-living object, or a contradiction between expectation and reality can each point towards a different figure of speech. PW resources can support NMAT preparation alongside regular VARC practice.

What Are Figures of Speech?

Figures of speech are expressions in which words are used in a distinctive or non-literal way to make communication more expressive or impactful. They can create comparisons, emphasise an idea, add contrast, imitate sounds, or present an idea in a softer form.

In NMAT VARC, the focus is often on recognising the feature that distinguishes one figure of speech from another. Understanding the NMAT exam pattern can also help you see how quickly such identification-based questions need to be approached. For example, like/as can indicate a simile, while a direct comparison without these words can indicate a metaphor. 

Since identification-based questions can often be solved quickly, learning the defining feature of each figure of speech can help you avoid spending unnecessary time on them.

Types of Figures of Speech in NMAT VARC

Different figures of speech use different linguistic techniques. Understanding their definitions and identification clues can make recognition faster.

Simile

A simile is a comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as.”

Examples:

• “Life is like a box of chocolates.”

• “The girl is as beautiful as a rose.”

• “The composer was as fragile as glass.”

How to Identify a Simile

Look for:

• A comparison between unlike things.

• The use of like or as to make the comparison.

If the sentence explicitly compares one thing with another using these words, it is likely to be a simile.

Metaphor

A metaphor is a direct comparison between two unlike things without using “like” or “as.”

Examples:

• “My students are my stars.”

• “My father is a tall, sturdy oak.”

• “The hotel is a diamond in the sky.”

• “The final interview was a mirror.”

Here, one thing is directly presented as another to create a comparison.

Simile vs Metaphor

The quickest distinction is to check whether like/as is being used to make the comparison.

Personification

Personification gives a human quality or trait to a non-living thing.

Examples:

• “The flowers danced on the lawn.”

• “The walls have ears.”

• “Fatigue had begun to knock impatiently.”

• “The old photograph seemed to accuse her.”

Flowers cannot actually dance, walls cannot have ears, and a photograph cannot accuse someone. These human actions or qualities are being attributed to non-living things.

How to Identify Personification

Ask:

Can this non-living thing actually perform the action?

If the answer is no and the action is distinctly human, the sentence may contain personification.

Hyperbole

Hyperbole is deliberate exaggeration used for emphasis or effect.

Examples:

• “I love you to the moon and back.”

• “I could sleep for a year.”

• “This book weighs a ton.”

• “I have received enough advice to write an encyclopedia.”

These statements are not intended to be taken literally. Their purpose is to emphasise an idea through exaggeration.

How to Identify Hyperbole

Look for a statement that:

• Is intentionally exaggerated.

• Is unlikely or impossible to be literally true.

• Is used to create emphasis or effect.

Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia refers to words whose sound suggests or imitates the sound they represent.

Examples:

• Hiss — sound of a snake

• Buzz — sound associated with a bee

• Bang — sound of a gun

• Crack — a sharp sound

How to Identify Onomatopoeia

Ask:

Does the word represent or imitate a sound?

If the word itself resembles the sound it describes, it can be an example of onomatopoeia.

Oxymoron

An oxymoron combines contrasting or seemingly contradictory words.

Examples:

• “Deafening silence”

• “Pretty ugly”

• “Gracious insult”

The contradiction occurs between the words placed together.

Oxymoron vs Antithesis

The key distinction is whether the contrast is between words or between broader ideas.

Alliteration

Alliteration is the repetition of the same consonant sound, especially at the beginning of nearby words.

Examples:

• “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.”

• “She sells sea shells on the sea shore.”

• “The chairman’s measured words masked the mounting mistrust.”

How to Identify Alliteration

Look for:

Repeated initial consonant sounds in nearby words.

The focus is on the sound rather than simply the presence of the same written letter.

Metonymy

Metonymy uses a word or term to represent another person, object, idea or institution that is closely related to it.

Examples:

• “Give me a hand.”
  → Hand represents help.

• “The coach wants some fresh blood in the team.”
  → Fresh blood represents new or young talent.

• “The capital will issue a statement.”
  → Capital represents the government or official authority.

• “Wall Street” can represent the financial or investment establishment.

How to Identify Metonymy

Ask whether the word is being used literally or whether it represents something closely associated with it.

The connection between the word and the intended meaning is important.

Euphemism

A euphemism presents an unpleasant, harsh, or negative idea in a milder or more acceptable way.

For example, instead of saying:

“You are fired.”

someone may say:

“We will have to let you go.”

Similarly, “right-sizing” may be used to describe dismissals.

How to Identify Euphemism

Look for a softer expression that replaces a harsh, unpleasant or direct statement.

The meaning remains similar, but the wording makes the expression sound less severe.

Irony

Irony refers to a situation or statement where what happens or is said is contrary to what is expected.

Examples:

• A fire breaks out at a fire station.

• A police officer’s house gets robbed.

• A marriage counsellor gets divorced.

• An etiquette expert publicly behaves rudely.

In each case, the actual situation conflicts with what would normally be expected.

How to Identify Irony

Ask:

Is the actual situation opposite to what we would normally expect?

If the situation creates a clear contrast between expectation and reality, it may indicate irony.

Antithesis

Antithesis places contrasting ideas together, often using a balanced grammatical structure.

Examples:

• “Speech is silver, silence is golden.”

• “To err is human; to forgive is divine.”

• “She remained calm during victory and dignified during defeat.”

Unlike an oxymoron, which generally combines contrasting words, antithesis presents a contrast between broader ideas.

Oxymoron vs Antithesis

Apostrophe

Apostrophe involves directly addressing a non-living thing, abstract idea, or absent or non-existent entity.

Example:

• “O Death, you are cruel.”

The speaker directly addresses Death as though it could hear or respond.

How to Identify Apostrophe

The key feature is direct address.

Ask whether the speaker is addressing something that cannot normally respond, such as an abstract idea, non-living object or absent entity.

Paradox

A paradox is a statement that appears contradictory but reveals a deeper truth when considered more closely.

Examples:

• “Less is more.”

• “The only constant is change.”

The statement may initially seem impossible or self-contradictory, but it conveys an idea that can make sense beyond its literal wording.

How to Identify Paradox

Look for:

• An apparently contradictory statement.

• A deeper or meaningful idea behind the contradiction.

• A statement that requires some thought to understand its intended meaning.

How to Quickly Identify Figures of Speech in NMAT VARC

Figures of speech questions can often be solved by looking for one defining feature instead of analysing every word in detail.

Use the following approach:

1. Look for a comparison.
   If the sentence compares two unlike things using like/as, consider simile.

2. Check for a direct comparison.
   If one thing is directly presented as another without like/as, consider metaphor.

3. Look for human actions given to non-living things.
   This can indicate personification.

4. Check for extreme exaggeration.
   An intentionally impossible or exaggerated statement may indicate hyperbole.

5. Listen for a sound-based word.
   Words that imitate sounds can indicate onomatopoeia.

6. Look for contrasting words placed together.
   This can indicate an oxymoron.

7. Look for repeated initial consonant sounds.
   This is a key clue for alliteration.

8. Check for an associated term replacing the actual meaning.
   This can indicate metonymy.

9. Look for softened language.
   A milder expression replacing a harsh one may be a euphemism.

10. Compare expectation with reality.
    A situation that is contrary to what is expected may indicate irony.

11. Look for contrasting ideas.
    A balanced contrast between broader ideas may indicate antithesis.

12. Check for direct address.
    Addressing an absent, abstract or non-living entity can indicate apostrophe.

13. Look for an apparent contradiction with deeper meaning.
    This can indicate paradox.

Important Differences Between Figures of Speech

Some figures of speech can appear similar, so identifying their defining difference is important.

Simile vs Metaphor

Both involve comparisons between unlike things.

• Simile: Uses like/as.

• Metaphor: Makes a direct comparison without like/as.

Example:

Simile: “Life is like a box of chocolates.”

Metaphor: “Life is a box of chocolates.”

Oxymoron vs Antithesis

Both involve contrast, but the level of contrast differs.

• Oxymoron: Contrasting words are placed together.

• Antithesis: Contrasting ideas are presented together.

Example:

Oxymoron: “Deafening silence.”

Antithesis: “Speech is silver, silence is golden.”

Metaphor vs Personification

A metaphor makes a direct comparison between unlike things, while personification specifically gives human qualities or actions to a non-living thing.

For example:

“My father is a tall, sturdy oak.” → Metaphor

“The flowers danced on the lawn.” → Personification

Hyperbole vs Paradox

Hyperbole depends on exaggeration, while paradox depends on an apparent contradiction that conveys a deeper meaning.

For example:

“This book weighs a ton.” → Hyperbole

“Less is more.” → Paradox

How to Prepare for NMAT VARC Figures of Speech?

Start by learning the defining feature of each figure of speech rather than memorising examples alone. Once the basic distinctions are clear, practise identifying the figure from short sentences and focus on the specific clue that leads to the answer.

Key points to follow while preparing for NMAT VARC Figures of Speech:

• Learn the definition and identifying features of each figure of speech.

• Practise distinguishing simile from metaphor.

• Understand the difference between oxymoron and antithesis.

• Look for human qualities, exaggeration, sound imitation, and direct address.

• Pay attention to words such as like, as, only, at least and other context clues where relevant.

• Practise mixed questions so that you can identify the figure without relying only on memorised examples.

• Review mistakes by identifying which defining feature you overlooked.

NMAT VARC Figures of Speech questions can be solved quickly when you recognise the defining feature of each expression. Focus on distinctions such as like/as in similes, direct comparison in metaphors, human qualities in personification, exaggeration in hyperbole, and contrasting words or ideas in oxymoron and antithesis. 

PW learning resources can support regular VARC practice and help you build familiarity with different question types.