How we change what others think, feel, believe and do

Polyptoton

Techniques > Use of language > Figures of speech > Polyptoton

Method | Example | Discussion | See also

Description

Polyptoton is the repetition of the same word with the same meaning, but in a different way, varying such as case, mood, tense, person, degree, number and gender.

Example

I love, loved, will always love you.

She hated him, despised him, utterly detested him.

Fight the good fight.

Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired.

Discussion

Repetition emphasises, though simple repetition can be a little boring and obvious. Polyptoton adds interest and perhaps some concealment by repeating something in different forms.

Classification: Repetition