We read a lot of books including academic books, novels, magazines, digest and many more. Sometimes we find the text very formal with proper grammar but sometimes we see the use of slang words, some phrases, proverbs, and idioms. So this time we would be learning something quite relatable. Alliterations!
What is an Alliteration?
In English grammar, alliteration is the repetition of the same consonant sound that occurs at the beginning of the words and in very close proximity to each other. The repetition of the sound will bring attention to the lines where it is used. For instance, if the alliteration is used in poems then they would create aural rhythm.
Now let’s learn about the four different types of Alliterations which are general, consonance, assonance, unvoiced.
1. General Alliteration
This is one of the simplest forms of alliteration and refers to the repetition of the initial sounds of the series of words. For instance, if you observe the example then you would understand the use of repeated sound.
“Solly saw seventeen sausages”
In the above example, there is repeated use of sound ‘s’ and this results in alliteration. It is basically the repetition of the first syllable of the series of words.
2. Consonance
This refers to the repeated consonant sound in the start, middle and, end of the sentence. For example, “Noah, nimbly named the numbers”. In this example, you can observe the repetition of the consonant ‘n’.
3. Assonance
If you refer to the repetition of the vowel sound at the beginning, middle, and end of the sentence then it is called assonance alliteration. For instance, let’s check this example “all alterations alter clothes awfully.”
4. Unvoiced Alliterations
This is the type of alliteration that cannot be voiced or expressed in any sort of speech. For instance, some of the words at the beginning of the words might be silent or unpronounced but still, they would contribute to the alliteration forms. For example, you can notice the word used in the sentence.
“Pessy just poked with a pink pterodactyl”
Here ‘p’ is silent in the last word, but it would still contribute to the alliteration.
Finally we have an image for various forms of alliteration along with their brief description for your quick revision.
Final Words:
keep exploring EnglishBix for more quality resources on uses of alliteration in English literature.
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