What is a Nonmetaphorical Expression?

In linguistics, a nonmetaphorical expression is one that conveys its meaning in a straightforward and literal way, without using figurative language or implied comparisons. Nonmetaphorical expressions are often called "literal" or "descriptive" language.

For example, the sentence "The sky is blue" is a nonmetaphorical expression because it simply states a fact about the color of the sky, without using any figurative language or implied comparisons. In contrast, the sentence "The sky is a brilliant blue" is a metaphorical expression because it uses the word "brilliant" to convey a more vivid and imaginative picture of the sky's color.

Nonmetaphorical expressions are often used in technical or scientific writing, where precision and accuracy are important, and in everyday conversation when we want to convey information clearly and simply. Metaphorical expressions, on the other hand, are often used in creative writing, poetry, and other forms of language that aim to evoke emotions or create vivid imagery.