What is an example of verbal irony?
Verbal irony is a figure of speech. The speaker intends to be understood as meaning something that contrasts with the literal or usual meaning of what he says. Example: Mother comes into the TV room and discovers her 11-year-old watching South Park instead of doing his homework, as he was set to a dozen minutes ago. Pointing to the screen she says, “Don’t let me tempt you from your duties, kiddo, but when you’re finished with your serious studies there, maybe we could take some time out for recreation and do a little math.” Example: Dad is finally out of patience with picking up after his son, who can’t seem to be trained to put his dirty clothes in the hamper instead of letting them drop wherever he happens to be when he takes them off. “Would Milord please let me know when it pleases him to have his humble servant pick up after him?” You hear verbal irony in conversations all the time. The simple comment, “Oh Great” after something rotten happens is verbal irony. Verbal irony is by f
