Symbolic and Figurative Expressions

Literal English word use and meaning has very structured formats and can be used to function efficiently if one desires to be an English writer or operate in the English speaking world.

Native English speakers use formal and literal word use and meaning formats from zero to 80 percent of the time when they are speaking or writing. Native English speakers use informal or symbolic or figurative formats when speaking or writing from 20 to 100 percent of the time.

If you want to always understand native English speakers then you have to also study the use of informal, symbolic and figurative formats in both written and spoken English.

The English language is composed of every imagined symbolic expression used for written and spoken communications and adds new imagined “expressions” everyday. The number of English words increases and word-use formats evolve everyday.

Some symbolic or figurative formats are written first and are adopted into spoken communications. Some symbolic or figurative formats are spoken on radio or a TV show first and then adopted into written communications.

Native speakers have to learn new words or evolved new “meanings” everyday to remain current and up to date with fads or trends and new discoveries. If you want to be current with native English speakers then you have to study how fads and new discoveries change language formats in both written and spoken English.

From the:
ESL in Canada - Sentence Master Grammar Summary
Symbolic and Figurative Expressions Glossary

fad
A fad is a colloquialism used to label a short-lived fashion: something that is embraced very enthusiastically for a short time. A fad is a seemingly unimportant belief or practice that is too strongly advocated, usually with regard to food or fashion.

Thesaurus Synonyms: trend, craze, rage, mania, vogue, style, whim, fashion.

Trend: prevailing style: a current fashion or mode

Craze: a practice or interest followed for a time with exaggerated zeal.

Rage: A current, eagerly adopted fashion; Example: when torn jeans were all the rage.

Mania: an irrational but irresistible motive for a belief or action

Vogue: the popular taste at a given time, a current state of general acceptance and use

Style: a way of expressing something (in language or art or music etc.) that is characteristic of a particular person or group of people or period

Whim: a sudden desire, an odd or fanciful or capricious idea

Fashion: The prevailing style or custom, as in dress or behavior. Something, such as a garment, that is in the current mode.

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