Literal Sentences
Literal means exactly true, without exaggeration or metaphor, and adhering strictly to the original meaning of a word or phrase. e.g., He took her advice in a literal sense and actually brought an apple for the teacher.
How to use Literal in a sentence
Table of Contents
Literal Sentences
She couldn't tell if he was being literal or sarcastic.
The idiom does not make sense if taken literally.
She gave a literal translation of the text.
His literal interpretation of the rule caused confusion.
The instructions need to be understood in a literal way.
The literal meaning of the word is quite different.
The joke was funny because of its literal absurdity.
The children took the fairy tale literally.
He is a literal thinker and struggles with abstract concepts.
The guidebook provided a literal description of the trail.
Her literal mindset made her a precise worker.
He gave a literal account of the events.
The song's lyrics have both literal and symbolic meanings.
His speech was filled with literal and figurative language.
The literal translation lost the poem's essence.
The literal reading of the document left no room for interpretation.
It's a metaphor, not to be taken literally.
Her literal approach to the problem was effective.
His art reflects a literal interpretation of nature.
They engaged in a debate about literal versus figurative language.
His literal understanding of the phrase was comical.
The expression should not be understood in a literal sense.
The story is enjoyable both in its literal and allegorical forms.
She appreciated the literal beauty of the poem.
He made a literal leap into the unknown.
The map provided a literal representation of the area.
Her literal translation helped them understand the document.
She explained the literal significance of the term.
He struggled to move beyond literal interpretations.
The literal replication of the painting was impressive.
His literal comprehension of idioms often led to misunderstandings.
The literal interpretation of the law was controversial.
She had a talent for literal visualization.
The phrase is not meant to be interpreted literally.
He gave a literal recount of his day.
The literal depiction in the book was graphic.
Her essay focused on the literal aspects of the text.
The game required a literal interpretation of clues.
The term 'raining cats and dogs' is not meant to be literal.
The literal sound of the word is pleasing.
The author's use of literal imagery was striking.
They mistook his hyperbole for a literal statement.
Her literal recall of events was astonishing.
The literal design of the building was unique.
The children learned the literal meanings of idioms.
The literal translation was accurate but lacked nuance.
The sculpture was a literal representation of the concept.
He preferred literal explanations over abstract ones.
The literal quality of the instructions made them easy to follow.
Her sense of humor relied on literal wordplay.
Literal Definitions
Free from metaphor; not figurative.
His literal description of the scene was very detailed.
Interpreting words or text in the most basic and ordinary sense.
She offered a literal explanation of the phrase.
Being in accordance with the exact words, without metaphor or exaggeration.
The statement was meant to be taken in a literal sense.
Involving a direct, word-for-word translation or interpretation.
He provided a literal translation of the foreign document.
Adhering strictly to factual or practical meanings.
The literal meaning of 'walking on air' is not possible.
Pertaining to the exact meaning of words or text.
The literal interpretation of the law was debated.
Literal Idioms & Phrases
Taking Things Literal
Understanding or responding to statements or actions in their most basic or explicit sense.
She has a habit of taking things literal, which sometimes leads to confusion in jokes.
Not Meant to Be Literal
Indicating that something should not be interpreted in its exact, primary sense.
His comment about eating his hat was not meant to be literal.
Beyond the Literal
Going beyond the explicit meaning to understand deeper or symbolic implications.
To appreciate the novel, one must look beyond the literal events it describes.
Literal Interpretation
Understanding something exactly as it is stated without inferring any figurative or symbolic meanings.
His literal interpretation of the instructions led to a misunderstanding of the actual intent.
Literal Approach
Addressing or analyzing something based on its explicit content only.
His literal approach to the law sometimes overlooked its spirit and purpose.
No Literal Equivalent
Referring to a phrase or word in one language that doesn’t have a direct translation in another language.
The idiom has no literal equivalent in English, so it's hard to translate.
Literal Sense
In the strict, word-for-word meaning of a term or phrase.
In the literal sense, break a leg is an expression wishing someone good luck.
Literal Meaning
The exact, primary meaning of a word or phrase, without interpretation or exaggeration.
When she said she was frozen, the literal meaning was that she felt extremely cold.
Literal Translation
A translation that closely adheres to the exact words and structure of the original language.
The literal translation of the phrase didn't convey the same humor as in the original language.
Interpretation Beyond the Literal
Understanding that extends past the explicit meaning to consider deeper significance.
Her artwork encourages an interpretation beyond the literal, inviting viewers to find personal meaning.
Literal Minded
A tendency to interpret things only at their face value and not recognize subtler or implied meanings.
His literal-minded approach often missed the nuance in metaphorical poetry.
Literal Use
Using a word or phrase in its most basic and direct sense.
The word run has many meanings, but in this context, its literal use refers to physical movement.
From the Literal to the Figurative
Moving from a basic, explicit understanding to a more symbolic or metaphorical interpretation.
The discussion went from the literal to the figurative, examining the deeper meanings behind the text.
Literal versus Metaphorical
Comparing the explicit, direct meaning of words with their symbolic or imaginative interpretation.
The debate was about the literal versus metaphorical interpretation of the poem.
Literal and Figurative Meaning
Both the basic, explicit meaning of a term or phrase and its symbolic or metaphorical interpretation.
It's raining cats and dogs has a literal and figurative meaning.
Stick to the Literal
To adhere only to the explicit, direct meaning and not consider any symbolic implications.
In legal documents, it's important to stick to the literal wording.
Literal Truth
The absolute, unembellished truth without any metaphor or exaggeration.
The witness swore to tell the literal truth in her testimony.
Literal as Opposed to Figurative
Differentiating between the explicit meaning of words and their symbolic or metaphorical interpretation.
In this case, a heart of stone is meant figurative, not literal.
Literal Manner
Behaving or speaking in a way that strictly adheres to the exact meaning or rules.
She followed the recipe in a very literal manner, not deviating at all from the instructions.
Literal Description
A description that precisely and accurately reflects reality without embellishment.
His literal description of the scene left nothing to the imagination.
Common Curiosities
What is the pronunciation of literal?
Literal is pronounced as /ˈlɪt.ər.əl/.
What is the verb form of literal?
There is no direct verb form of "literal." The related verb could be "literalize" or "literalise."
What is another term for literal?
Another term for "literal" is "verbatim."
What is the root word of literal?
The root word of "literal" is from the Latin "litteralis," meaning of or belonging to letters or writing.
What part of speech is literal?
Literal is an adjective.
Which vowel is used before literal?
The vowel used before "literal" depends on the context and the preceding word in a sentence.
Why is it called literal?
It is called literal because it pertains to the exact meaning of words or text without exaggeration, metaphor, or embellishment.
Which preposition is used with literal?
Prepositions like "in," "with," or "as" can be used with "literal."
How is literal used in a sentence?
Example: "She gave a literal interpretation of the poem."
What is the opposite of literal?
The opposite of "literal" is "figurative" or "metaphorical."
How many syllables are in literal?
There are three syllables in "literal."
Which determiner is used with literal?
Determiners like "the," "a," "this," or "that" can be used with "literal."
What is the singular form of literal?
"Literal" remains the same in both singular and plural contexts.
What is the plural form of literal?
"Literal" is used the same way in both singular and plural contexts.
Is literal an adverb?
No, "literal" is not an adverb. However, "literally" is the adverb form.
Is literal a negative or positive word?
Literal is neutral; its positivity or negativity depends on the context.
Is the literal term a metaphor?
"Literal" itself is not a metaphor but is used to denote the opposite of metaphorical language.
Is literal a noun or adjective?
Literal is an adjective.
Is literal a collective noun?
No, "literal" is not a collective noun.
What is a stressed syllable in literal?
The first syllable "lit" is the stressed syllable in "literal."
Is literal a vowel or consonant?
The word "literal" consists of both vowels and consonants.
Is literal a countable noun?
"Literal" is not a noun; it's an adjective.
Is the word literal is imperative?
No, "literal" is not imperative; it is an adjective.
Is the word “literal” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Literal," being an adjective, is neither a direct object nor an indirect object; it describes a noun.
How do we divide literal into syllables?
Literal is divided into syllables as: lit-er-al.
Which conjunction is used with literal?
Conjunctions like "and," "but," or "or" can be used with "literal."
Which article is used with literal?
Both the definite article "the" and the indefinite article "a" can be used with "literal."
Is literal an abstract noun?
No, "literal" is an adjective, not a noun.
Is the word literal Gerund?
No, "literal" is not a gerund.
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