Question

Her brain became as soft as cheese. The figure of speech is _____ because _____.

Answer 1

Hint: Figure of speech is any word or phrase in a sentence that provides a dramatic effect. It may be used to make comparisons, exaggerations, emphasis or importance of a certain word or sentence.

Complete answer:
In the given statement the different parts of speech are;
Her – which is a possessive adjective.
Brain – is a noun
Became – is a verb
As – is an adverb
Soft – is an adjective
Cheese – is the second noun

In the sentence it can be seen that a comparison is being made. The ‘brain’ of a person is being compared to a ‘cheese’ in terms of ‘softness’. When a comparison is being made, it can be done by using a ‘simile’ or a ‘metaphor’. In this case, the figure of speech is a ‘simile’.

This is because the word adverb ‘as’ is used to make the comparison between the brain and cheese. Another way to make the same comparison using simile would be by using the word ‘like’. For e.g. Her brain became soft like cheese. Therefore, we can conclude that if direct or literal comparisons are made using the words ‘like’ or ‘as’ then the figure of speech is called ‘simile’.

Note:
I) ‘Simile’ and ‘metaphor’ are often mistaken as the other. But there is a very simple difference between the two.
II) Whenever comparisons are made without the use of ‘like’ or ‘as’, then the figure of speech would be a metaphor. For e.g. He is a stone hearted person.
III) It literally does not mean that person’s heart is made of stone, but it metaphorically means that the person is very cruel or unfeeling.