Descriptive Writing Skills : Similes & Meaning in English for Class 3

Similes in English help students to be more expressive while writing or describing something. Students of class 3 will learn the definition of simile with examples and its usage. They would also be acquainted with the exceptions of this literary term

In this learning concept, the students will learn the following:

• Common similes using ‘as’.
• Simile examples using like in a sentence.
• How to write a simile?
• Simile examples with pictures.

Every grammar concept has illustrations, examples and mindmaps. Students can also access the two free printable simile worksheets given at the end of the page. This will help them to understand and learn the topic in depth. These worksheets are available with their solutions in PDF format.

What is the Meaning of Simile?

• A simile is a figure of speech that is used to compare two things or feelings or actions.
• A comparison is used to describe two different things. Similes use the word ‘as’ or ‘like’.
• Its aim is to describe one thing by comparing it to another thing that is apparently unrelated.

Examples:

1. She is as busy as a bee.
   

   In the above example, one is a human and the other is an insect.

2. He runs like a cheetah.
   

   In the above example, one is a human, and the other is a feline animal.

Common Similes using ‘as’

Let us have a look at a list of common similes ‘ as something as something else’ to show a comparison.

List of Similes in English

Common Similes Using ‘Like’

Let us have a look at similes that make comparisons using ‘something like something else’.

How to Write a Simile?

1. Think of an object or a person and what you want to say about it. Do you want to say that something is huge, beautiful, or some quality for which you don’t have a describing word?
2. Think of the things that display similar or the same characteristics. Combine it by saying that the first thing is “like” the second thing.
3. If you want to emphasize a certain aspect, then you say the first thing is ‘as’ the second thing. For example, as beautiful, as smart, as ugly, etc.
4. A simile is used to give a picture in the reader’s mind about a situation or a character. Ensure that it is a rich image.

Examples:

1. They fight like cats and dogs.
   
2. The dress looks as bright as the sun.
   

Exceptions

1. Similes are not always formed by ‘like’ or ‘as’. There are some similes with adverbs like ‘than’ and ‘as if’. For instance:

   Examples:

   1. She was crying as if she was mad.
   
    

         b. His grandfather is older than the hills.

   
2. In case of the ‘as’ pattern, the first as can be skipped.

   Examples:

   Her hair is smooth as silk.