Which figure of speech is used in this text?
Men work together . . . whether they work together or apart.
—Robert Frost, "A Tuft of Flowers"
paradox euphemism
Figures of speech are words or phrases that use language in a nonliteral or unusual way. They can make writing more expressive.
A euphemism is a polite or indirect expression that is used to de-emphasize an unpleasant topic.
The head of Human Resources would never refer to firing people, only to laying them off.
Hyperbole is an obvious exaggeration that is not meant to be taken literally.
I ate so much that I think I might explode!
An oxymoron is a joining of two seemingly contradictory terms.
Some reviewers are calling this book a new classic.
A paradox is a statement that might at first appear to be contradictory, but that may in fact contain some truth.
Always expect the unexpected.
The text uses a paradox, a statement that might at first appear to be contradictory, but that may in fact contain some truth.
Men work together . . . whether they work together or apart at first appears to be contradictory, as it seems impossible to work together and work apart at the same time. However, it contains some truth: people may feel a sense of unity and camaraderie with others even while on their own.