• Linguistics and Language -> Grammar and Syntax

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Are there any circumstances where use of figures of speech is not appropriate, and how can writers and speakers know when to avoid them?

Arizona Klimkovich

Well, I'm not sure about this question. I mean, I know what figures of speech are, like metaphors and similes, but I'm not sure when it's not appropriate to use them. Maybe if you're trying to be really serious or professional, you shouldn't use a lot of figurative language. But I'm not sure if that's right.

I think writers and speakers can maybe tell when to avoid figures of speech by considering their audience and the context. Like if you're writing a legal document, you probably shouldn't be using a lot of metaphors and stuff like that. But if you're writing a novel or giving a speech to a group of creative writers, then using a lot of figurative language could be really effective.

I guess my main point is that I don't really know the answer to this question for sure. It seems like there might not be hard and fast rules about when it's appropriate to use figures of speech. It probably just depends on the situation and the audience. But maybe someone else knows more than I do and can provide a better answer.