Final answer:
The phrase "My car is my baby" is an example of personification, which is a literary device that attributes human qualities to non-human entities. It's a form of figurative language that creates strong imagery and emotional connection, distinct from similes and metaphors that compare things directly or with 'like' or 'as'.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase "My car is my baby" is an example of personification. Personification is a figure of speech where human qualities are given to animals, objects, or ideas. In this case, the car is being treated as if it were a human baby, which implies that it is very dear to the person and well taken care of, showing a bond similar that one would expect between a parent and a child. This kind of figurative language is rich in symbolism and is often used to evoke strong images and emotional responses from readers or listeners.
In comparison, a simile is a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two different things using the words 'like' or 'as'. An example of a simile is "My darling, you are like a rose," which suggests that someone is beautiful or delicate as a rose. On the other hand, a metaphor makes a direct comparison without using 'like' or 'as'. An example is "My love, you are a rose," which implies that the person is not only beautiful but perhaps also complex and layered, like the petals of a rose.