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What is Analogy? Examples and Types Explained

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What is Analogy?

An analogy is a visual representation of how two things are comparable. The purpose of an analogy is not only to exhibit but also to explain. Its goal is to compare and contrast two ideas or objects in order to explain them. To represent an analogy, metaphors and similes are employed. As a result, the analogy of words and their formation is more complex than a simile or a metaphor.


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Meaning of Analogy

An analogy is a comparison of two objects that are primarily dissimilar yet share some characteristics. Comparisons can be done in different ways using a simile or a metaphor. While these ways may seem similar as they use objects that share a few similarities like analogies. They differ in small and significant ways.


Simile Vs Metaphor Vs Analogy


Simile

Metaphor

Analogy

A figure of speech in which explicit "comparing" terms such as like or as are used to create comparisons.

This figure of speech makes a direct comparison without any need to use like or as.

Along with comparing two objects, analogy offers an explanation and like or as can be used as per the requirement.

Simile examples sentences:

Life is like a book.



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Metaphor examples sentences:

Life is a book.


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Analogy examples sentences: Life is like a book, some chapters are happy, a few sad and a few exciting; to know what’s in store you must turn the page.


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Different Types of Analogy


Types of Analogy

Meaning and Example

Analogy Examples

Synonyms

The words convey a similar meaning.

  • Glad: Happy

  • Pretty: Gorgeous

  • Very: Extreme

  • Less: Little

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Opposite Analogy

This kind describes the objects in antonyms' perspective.


Pretty is to ugly as a smile is to frown. Can be written as


Smile: Frown:: Pretty: Ugly

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Part to Whole analogy

This type describes a small part of the same object.




  • Knife: Kitchenware

  • Seed: Plant

  • Wheel: Bicycle 

  • Paw: Dog

  • Nose: Face

  • Battery: Remote


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Cause and Effect

The first word describes the cause and the next describes the consequence of it.

  • Virus: Flu

  • Dishonesty: Untrustworthy

  • Effort: Success

  • Sleep: Energy

  • Cavity: Toothache

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Action and Object

The action towards the object can be realised from this.

  • Pen: Write

  • Climb: Staircase

  • Travel: Aeroplane

  • Typing: Typewriter

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Characteristic Quality

This kind describes the quality of an object i.e. usually a noun.

  • Pillow: Soft

  • Sauce: Tangy

  • Icecream: Sweet

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Let’s Practice Analogy Questions!

Select the correct word to complete the figure analogy.

1. Soft: Loud:: Slow: ___.


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2. Up: Down:: Tall: ___.


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3. Gloves: Hand:: Sock: __.


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Tricks to Write a Good Analogy

  • Analogies should be straightforward and simple to remember.

  • The best analogies are those that are already familiar to you.

  • The analogy's purpose must be clearly defined.

  • Describe the connection between the analogy and the target concept.

  • Explain the analogy's limitations.

  • Make use of visuals.


Learn By Doing It Yourself

1. Based on the images, complete the analogy.


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2. Figure out the analogy reasoning and answer the questions.

1. Bed is to sleeping as Pool is to __________.


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Bed Sleeping

2. Careless is to accident as Careful is to ________.


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Careless Accident

3. Child is to family as Student is to _______.


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Child Family

FAQs on What is Analogy? Examples and Types Explained

1. What makes a good analogy?

A comparison of two things is called an analogy. By their very nature, the two things are opposite. An analogy takes a difficult subject and simplifies it by comparing it to something else. An analogy's simpler or more familiar feature aids the reader's comprehension of the more complex idea.

2. Why is it necessary to study analogy?

Children are encouraged to think about the terms they've learnt and how they are related when they practise analogies. Analogies are useful learning tools for enhancing conceptual comprehension and thinking skills.

3. What is the advantage of employing an analogy?

When children practise analogies, their interest and readiness for more rigorous and sophisticated readings rises. In the future, teaching children that words can have several meanings will help them score better on tests.