Tell whether each sentence uses hyperbole.

Hyperbole, derived from a Greek word meaning “over-casting, ” is a figure of speech that involves an exaggeration of ideas for the sake of emphasis.

There are different variants of defining hyperbole, here you can see definitions of Потебня and виноградов. Thus, potebnya claims that H is the intoxication by emotion and vinigradovclaimes that it is the law of art.

However, most of the scholars adhere to these two definitions from гальперинискребнев as they seem more precise and accurate.

ГальперинHyperbole can be defined as a deliberate overstatement or exaggeration of a feature essential (unlike periphrasis) to the object or phenomenon.

Скребнев an expression of emotional evaluation of reality by the speaker who is either unrestrained by ethical conventions or knows that exaggeration would be welcome».

. It is a device that we employ in our day-to-day speech. For instance, when you meet a friend after a long time, you say, “It’s been ages since I last saw you. ” You may not have met him for three or four hours, or a day, but the use of the word “ages” exaggerates this statement to add emphasis to your wait. Therefore, a hyperbole is an unreal exaggeration to emphasize the real situation.

Hyperbole, like other figures of speech, is used to connect ideas, thoughts, emotions, and images in a more effectual way than through plain language. Here you can see functions of this stylisctic device.

When one wants to emphasize something, or add humor to gain attention, to produce a grander and more obvious effect hyperbole is used in a sentence. The purpose of hyperbole in a sentence is to create a flamboyant effect and desperately stress on a specific point. Hyperbolic sentences usually convey an action or sentiment that is generally not realistic or possible but helps accentuate an emotion.

It is important not to confuse hyperbole with simile and metaphor. It does make a comparison, like simile and metaphor. Rather, hyperbole has a humorous effect created by an overstatement.

v Hyperboles should not be mixed with common exaggerations used to express the speaker’s emotional state.
(Hyperboles differ from a usual exaggeration by the fact that a listener (or reader) knows that this exaggeration is intentional and a speaker (writer) does not want to deceive anyone, but to express his or her emotional attitude).

v Often, Hyperbole is identified by trigger words such as " most, " " best, " or " worst. "

v Hyperbole can often be combined successfully with similes and metaphors to surge their effectiveness, although common phrases must not be repeatedly used to avoid being in a cliché.

Note that the redundancy of expression of the kind can be merely a fault of style-Hyperbole should not be confused withgrotesque. Though the both are based on overstatement there is a clear line of demarcation between them. It lies in the speaker's / writer's attitude to the thing described. Grotesque is necessarily negatively charged. Its object is a certain negative feature inherent in the object, whereas hyperbole is used to exaggerate both - the positive and the negative, with no criticism leveled in the latter case. The only aim it strives to gain is provoking laughter and amusing the audience.

Tell whether each sentence uses hyperbole.

Your brother is the smartest dude in the world.
This bike goes faster than the speed of light.
Harold ate a large sandwich for lunch.
We waited for centuries for the latest version to be released.
When a clock is hungry, it goes back four seconds.
Dame has a terrific football team this year.
She jumped so high she could touch the moon!
And the salmon sang in the street.
I’m going to stay awake all night and catch Santa Claus.
When a clock is hungry, it goes back four seconds.
The church was decorated with a million lights.
I could listen to that song on repeat forever.
I am so tired I cannot walk another inch.
That test was as easy as pie.
Pamela was skinny enough to jump through a keyhole.
Thewaterisshiny.
It took light years for him to get his homework completed.

In our daily conversation, we use hyperbole to create an amusing effect, or to emphasize our meaning.
By using hyperbole, a writer or a poet makes common human feelings remarkable and intense to such an extent that they do not remain ordinary.
In literature, usage of hyperbole develops contrasts. This technique is employed to catch the reader’s attention.

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