Final answer:
The phrase 'the ball whooshed past me' uses the figure of speech known as personification, which attributes human-like qualities to non-human things.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase 'the ball whooshed past me' utilizes figurative language, specifically personification. This figure of speech attributes human-like characteristics to an inanimate object, in this case, the action 'whooshed,' suggesting the ball made a sound or moved with velocity as though it had its own intent or ability. Personification is a technique that helps create a more vivid description, allowing readers to better imagine the scene through sensory experience.