Meaning & use
example extended metaphor
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Meaning
phrasecountable
a sample or instance of a metaphor that is developed at length across several sentences, lines, or paragraphs
Grammar: Countable phrase; you can say 'an example extended metaphor' or 'examples of extended metaphors'.
Patterns
- an example extended metaphor
- give an example extended metaphor
- an example of an extended metaphor
The teacher asked the class to write an example extended metaphor about the sea.
In her essay, she used an example extended metaphor comparing life to a long river journey.
An example extended metaphor can make a difficult idea easier to picture.
Common combinations
- give an example extended metaphor
- Please give an example extended metaphor in your next paragraph.
- write an example extended metaphor
- Students had to write an example extended metaphor for homework.
- an example of an extended metaphor
- This poem is an example of an extended metaphor.
- find an example extended metaphor
- Can you find an example extended metaphor in the novel?
Synonyms and how they differ
- conceit
- A conceit is a highly elaborate, often surprising extended metaphor, especially in poetry; it is more technical and literary than the plain phrase 'example extended metaphor'.
- allegory
- An allegory is a whole story or picture with a second meaning, not just one metaphor stretched out; use 'allegory' for a complete narrative, not for a single example.
Word family
- extended metaphor noun
- the actual device: a metaphor that continues over several lines or sentences
- metaphor noun
- a brief comparison saying one thing is another, without 'like' or 'as'
- metaphorical adjective
- describing language that uses metaphor
Commonly confused: example extended metaphor or simile? example extended metaphor or analogy?
example extended metaphor vs simile
A simile compares using 'like' or 'as'; a metaphor states one thing is another. An extended metaphor may start as a simple metaphor and then grow longer.
example extended metaphor vs analogy
An analogy explains by pointing out similarities, often logically; an extended metaphor does the same imaginatively and is more literary.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'example extended metaphor' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Option A fits because an extended metaphor develops over several lines, so it can run through a whole poem. Option B describes a simile, not a metaphor, and option D wrongly defines it as short and using 'like'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “example extended metaphor”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.