Both similes and metaphors are used to compare two things BUT they do it in different ways.
A simile compares two things using the words LIKE or AS. For example, Her hair is like silk. A metaphor says that one thing is another. The above example would become Her hair is silk. In order to make the most of this comparison we need to have some background knowledge about silk and that it is a smooth, luxurious material. So, the above example is saying that the girl's hair is smooth and luxurious. When you compare the two examples you can see that the simile is saying that the two objects are similar whereas the metaphor goes one step further by saying one thing is the other. The chart below will help you decide is something is a simile or a metaphor. |
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