Different figures of speech

Examples of Figures of Speech


1. Figures Involving Omission (words or meaning left out)

a. Affecting words (grammar or sentence structure)

Ellipsis – words are left out.
Matthew 11:18, “For John came neither eating nor drinking.” Being human, John had to eat and drink. What is left out is “declining invitations to eat with others.”

b. Affecting the sense (the meaning)

Tapeinosis – lessening, demeaning or understatement
Acts 5:36, “Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody…” meaning “someone great.” Antenantiosis – meaning “opposite.” Psalm 84:11, “No good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless,” meaning He will give him every good thing.