LessonsPurposes of Simile: Possibility, Condition, Degree, Beautification, Disfigurement and ReversalQuiz

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In that situation, it is better to state mutual resemblance rather than a one-directional simile.

A normal simile tends to establish a direction: one term explains another. Explicit mutual resemblance may express equality in the relevant respect more aptly. When the intended meaning is simply that two things share a quality, without giving either primacy, the mutual construction avoids importing an unintended hierarchy.

This is not a categorical ban on similes between equal terms. A speaker may still arrange either term as subject or comparator for reasons of emphasis, interest or context. The most suitable expression depends on the intended meaning, not on a rigid word-count or structure rule.

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Why mutual likeness may be preferable

Purposes of Simile: Possibility, Condition, Degree, Beautification, Disfigurement and Reversal

فالأحسن ترك التشبيه إلى الحكم بالتشابه
In that situation, it is better to state mutual resemblance rather than a one-directional simile.

A normal simile tends to establish a direction: one term explains another. Explicit mutual resemblance may express equality in the relevant respect more aptly. When the intended meaning is simply that two things share a quality, without giving either primacy, the mutual construction avoids importing an unintended hierarchy.

This is not a categorical ban on similes between equal terms. A speaker may still arrange either term as subject or comparator for reasons of emphasis, interest or context. The most suitable expression depends on the intended meaning, not on a rigid word-count or structure rule.