Question

Write one sentence that uses synecdoche and one sentence that uses metonymy.

Answer 1

Sentences that use synecdoche:

After he won the lottery, he bought the most expensive set of wheels on the market. (Here, “set of wheels” refers to an expensive car.)

The customer asked the salesperson if the store accepted plastic or just cash. (Here, “plastic” refers to credit cards.)

The pair of eyes were watching her every move. (Here, “pair of eyes” refers to a person.)

Sentences that use metonymy:

The White House issued a press statement. (Here, the “White House” refers to the US president and government officials.)

The restaurant has become increasingly slow and rude. (Here, the “restaurant” refers to the staff that works there.)

That is his go-to dish—he makes it whenever he has people over. (Here, “dish” refers to a type of food.)

Answer 2

Synechdoche is a literary device that uses a part of something to represent the whole. If a sentence reads "He asked for her hand in marriage", that's a synechdoche because obviously he doesn't want to just marry her hand, but her hand represents all of the person.

Metonymy is similar, but it is something new or related (not just a part of their body) that stands for the whole. For example, "the crown" refers to any person of royalty. If a sentence reads "The criminal got sent to the big house" it means they went to prison. "The big house" is a new name that stands in for the thing it describes.