What are 5 examples of litotes?
Litotes Examples in Common Expressions
- It’s not rocket science.
- He’s no spring chicken.
- It’s not my first rodeo.
- He isn’t the brightest bulb in the box.
- You won’t be sorry you bought this knife set.
- I don’t deny that it was wrong.
- The trip wasn’t a total loss.
- He doesn’t always have the best sense of direction.
What is litotes simple words?
: understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of the contrary (as in “not a bad singer” or “not unhappy”)
How do you use litotes in a poem and give an example?
Litotes is a device used to state an affirmative without direct use of affirmative wording. For example, the phrase “I don’t hate it” reflects use of litotes. In this case, juxtaposing the negative words “don’t” and “hate” function together to indicate the opposite meaning or affirmative.
What are litotes a form of?
Litotes is a form of understatement, more specifically meiosis, and is always deliberate with the intention of emphasis.
Why are litotes used?
Litotes in literature Litotes is used in literature as a way for writers to effectively convey an idea. The reason they are so effective is because listeners or readers have to pause to interpret the actual meaning of the phrase, making it stick even more.
What is an example of litotes in Beowulf?
There are many examples of litotes in the Old English poem Beowulf. For instance, litotes is used in the line ”They gaped with no sense of sorrow,” when Hrothgar’s men respond to Grendel’s death. Later, when Beowulf goes to kill Grendel’s mother, Hrothgar’s men describe the lair as a place that is not pleasant.
Is litotes plural or singular?
According to Oxford Dictionary of English ‘litotes’ is a singular noun. A definition can be an example of use in the sentence: Litote is an ironical understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary (e.g. I shan’t be sorry for I shall be glad).
Is litotes double negative?
A litotes by definition is a form of understatement for emphasis through the use of a double negative. Instead of saying, for instance, that the weather is good today, one would employ a litotes by saying that the weather isn’t bad today.
What is an example of a litotes in literature?
Litotes in Literature Of course, figurative language was made for fiction writing. Here are some samples that include a litotes: “The sword wasn’t useless to the warrior.” – Beowulf. “I am no prophet and here’s no great matter.” – The Lovesong of J.
What litotes does Beowulf use when describing his battles?
What is an example of litotes in poetry?
Here are some samples that include a litotes: “The sword wasn’t useless to the warrior.” – Beowulf. “I am no prophet and here’s no great matter.” – The Lovesong of J.
What is litotes used for?
Litotes is a type of understatement that uses negative words to express the contrary. Litotes is a way to state the affirmative without actually stating the affirmative. Litotes is most often used in rhetoric and speech.
What is an example of a litote?
Litotes Examples. Litotes. Litotes – understatement that uses a negation to express a positive. In other words, a statement is made about what is – by saying what is not. Examples of Litotes: 1. You won’t be sorry! 2. The casserole wasn’t too bad. 3. The trip was not a total loss.
How do you make a sentence litotes?
The presence of the extreme word, or of a superlative like “most” or “best” is usually necessary to make litotes work. Whether a particular sentence does or doesn’t function as litotes can depend on the context in which it’s said. Some negative phrases might be litotes in one context, and just a plain old sentence in a different context.
Is litotes singular or plural?
Since it’s not an English word, don’t be fooled by the fact that it ends in S. Litotes is a singular noun. Litotes examples embrace colorful sentiments to express an otherwise bland statement. A litotes is a roundabout way of saying something, using the opposite of your intended meaning to illustrate what you’re trying to say.
Why does the speaker use litotes in the final sentence?
In that final sentence, the speaker is using litotes to communicate that he’s an ordinary human (“I am no prophet”), and that the subject on which he fixates is insignificant (“here’s no great matter”).