How to make your English more expressive

Hi there,

Have you ever wondered why some sentences easily stick in your mind, while others seem not to be recallable to you? Often it’s because of metaphors and idioms. 

Figurative language not only enriches English but also makes speech more memorable. Studies show that English learners remember words and expressions better when they’re expressed metaphorically. 

Native English speakers use metaphors hundreds of times a day without even thinking about it, so being able to understand them is key to sounding natural. However, advanced learners often have an excellent repertoire of vocabulary, but don’t really know how to use it in figurative speech. And that’s what I’m going to help you with today! Why? Because a well-chosen metaphor or idiom can make or break your story.

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Discover simple ways to add figurative language to your daily English

There are endless ways to make your English come more alive, and here are some elements that you could try to incorporate to make your speech more memorable:

Metaphors

Metaphors are a figure of speech used to compare ideas without using words such as ‘like’ or ‘as’. Some might say it’s like painting with words, as they make your speech more vivid and memorable. Are you following me? 

Let me share some examples with you to help you get a better understanding of it: 

• Time is money → It implies that time is very valuable (just like money)

• The classroom was a zoo → A great way to describe something chaotic, without saying it directly…

• His words cut deeper than a knife → Ouch! I guess this one is quite self-explanatory.

Now, please keep one thing in mind… Overusing metaphors can make speaking or writing feel a bit forced and unnatural, so try to use them sparingly (= in small quantities)

(unless you really want to channel your inner Shakespeare… then by my guest!)

Similes

Similes are like metaphors, but the main difference is the usage of the words ‘like’ and ‘as’ for comparison. You can use them in situations in which you want your description to seem more vivid or emphatic. Think of:

• Her smile was like sunshine breaking through clouds

• He moves as silently as a cat

• He was as brave as a lion

• Learning English is like climbing a mountain… tough but rewarding 

Tell me, is the last statement true? Or do you think differently? 🤔 Okay, onto the next one!

Idiomatic Expressions

Now, idiomatic expressions, you might also know them as ‘idioms’, are fixed phrases that have a figurative meaning, rather than a literal one. Something you need to pay a lot of attention to is the context, and in many cases, cultural knowledge is also necessary in order to understand and use them correctly.

Idioms are a great way to sound more natural and understand natives better (the latter is probably even more important)!

Have a look at the following idioms, do you recognise any of them?

• Bite the bullet → used when someone is facing a difficult situation

• Hit the nail on the head → excellent to use when someone described something accurately

• Kick the bucket → this is a euphemism for dying

Euphemisms

You probably just read that word and thought to yourself, ‘What is that??’. Well, I’m here to help you out with it! Think of a euphemism as a word or expression that helps paraphrase or substitute a word/expression that might be quite unpleasant or embarrassing, or even offensive. It’s a way of softening or mitigating something that might otherwise sound too harsh or blunt. 

I personally love euphemisms and think they are a beautiful way to enrich your speaking. Now, is that the only reason they should be used? Of course not! Euphemisms are great to use because of many reasons, some of them being:

1. Politeness: They help you sound less rude or even offensive

2. Sensitivity: They are an excellent way to discuss taboo/sensitive topics (e.g. death or illness) less directly → very British if you ask me!!

3. Privacy: If you want to avoid a confrontation or embarrassment, euphemisms are your best friend!

What do you think about these examples?

Rather than…	Try saying…
died	Passed away or lost their life
old	Not exactly young
unemployed	In between jobs
blind	Visually impaired
earning a salary	Bringing home the bacon
vomit	Lose your lunch
lie	Spin the truth

Hyperboles and Exaggerations

I was listening to Benjamin’s ‘Descriptive Language’ class the other day, where they watch Instagram Reels and then find different ways to describe them, and he loves using funny videos. I laughed so hard I nearly died! 

Did you see what I just did? I used extreme exaggeration to emphasise how funny the videos were to me. But, please keep one thing in mind: Hyperboles are not meant to be taken literally. They are best used in informal speech or creative writing to make your language more vivid.

Here are some examples that might help you get a better grasp of it:

• This bag weighs a ton → Oh man, that’s something you don’t want to hear when checking in at the airport… 

• I’ve told you a million times → Probably not a million, but definitely many times

• My feet are killing me! → Bbviously, I’m not going to die, but they are quite painful

• I have a mountain of work → I still have a huge amount of work to do… 

How to Practise Figurative Language

Now, the million-dollar question… What can you do to practise using figurative language? You’ve mastered the theory, but what you need to do now is try to spot it in real life. Why don’t you try to pay attention when watching movies, shows or listening to podcasts? Write down one metaphor or idiom you like and train your ear to identify them better.

Another thing you need to do is practise using them as much as possible. Whether you write down a figurative sentence per day, try to use it in your next English class or simply think of them in your head (consciously).

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Figurative language brings your English to life

Using figurative language can help any English learner sound more confident, expressive, and natural. But, just like with everything else, avoid overdoing it, as that might make you sound unnatural or odd. 

Try paying more attention to, for instance, metaphors in daily life, and you’ll see how commonly used they are!

So, next time you speak or write in English, don’t just use words, paint a picture with them. 😉

Until next time! 

Cami