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I know a metaphor compares two similar things, like a ballerina glides like a swan and that a simile compares two unlike things, but I'm still not sure if the sentence, "The car guzzles fuel." would be a simile or a metaphor? Could someone clarify it for me? Thanks.

MAMSY
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  • The simile is a formulaic metaphor, a sub-type. The distinction often made in school teaching is not recognised by linguists. – Edwin Ashworth Aug 18 '23 at 18:33

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"The car guzzles fuel" is a personification, which is a type of metaphor. The words "like" and "as" circumvent the hyperbole or unreality inherent to metaphors. "The car burns fuel like David guzzles beer."

Edit: to be clear, the words "like" and "as" are the most common markers of similes.

Theresa Gray
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