Heterosis

Techniques > Use of language > Figures of speech > Heterosis

Method | Example | Discussion | See also

Description

Heterosis is a figure of speech where one form of verb is exchanged for another form.

Example

I know the game has not yet started, but I know we have won.

Well, I says to him, I says. 'What are you doing?' Then he looks at me and I think, 'Duh!'

I throwed the ball over the fence.

Discussion

A classic form of heterosis is where what happened in the past is described using the present tense. This is because the present tense is more immediate and sustains greater attention.

Emotions are tense-specific, for example anger and sadness are often about the past, whilst fear and hope are about the future. By changing the temporal nature of the verb, you can change associated emotion.

Children often use verbs incorrectly and hence express heterosis. Children and child-like positions are likewise illustrated in literature.

Heterosis is also used to describe other forms of change, such as gender and mood.

Classification: Substitution