📚 English · Vocabulary

Literal vs Figurative Language

Distinguish literal from nonliteral (figurative) language in context and interpret common idioms and phrases

Typical age: 8–9 years

“When your child reads a phrase like "it's raining cats and dogs" or "she had butterflies in her stomach," do they know it doesn't mean what the words literally say?”

0 / 3 mastered

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Needs first

Expressive and Sensory LanguageREQUIRED
Distinguishing literal from nonliteral builds on recognising literary language and sensory words
Shades of Meaning
Understanding figurative language connects to distinguishing shades of meaning

Unlocks next

Similes & MetaphorsREQUIRED
Identifying similes and metaphors requires the ability to distinguish literal from figurative language
Idioms & ProverbsREQUIRED
Interpreting idioms, adages, and proverbs requires the foundational ability to recognise nonliteral language
Cultural Allusions and Word Meaning
Understanding literary vocabulary requires the ability to distinguish literal from figurative meaning