How to Write a Metonymy
In order to write a metonymy,
- Examine a sentence for a phrase which can be shortened or replaced with a defining characteristic or associated idea.
- Replace the phrase with the metonymic phrase.
For an example, consider a friend who is going to school.
Normal Sentence:
I’m on the way to the transitional studies department at Central High School on Everett Road.
This sentence is packed with information! Although these details may be useful in certain conversations, generally, the sentence can be shortened with metonymy.
Sentence using Metonymy:
I’m on the way to Central.
When speaking with friends or people who are aware of our schedules or the names of town buildings, “Central” is understood as “Central High School.”
For a second example, imagine you’ve reached the end of your day.
Normal Sentence:
I think I’m going to go to sleep soon.
Although this sentence is acceptable, an alternative using metonymy is used just as often:
Sentence using Metonymy:
I think I’m going to go to bed soon.
Because the bed is so directly associated with sleeping, “going to bed” can be understood as “going to sleep.”
When to Use Metonymy
Metonymy can be found in everyday conversation, stories, poems, plays, speeches, songs, and movies. Metonymy can be used to refer to individuals by their organizations and associations like hospitals, schools, governments, and sports teams. It can be a source of casual and shortened names for places, people, and projects. Metonymy can be poetic or, conversely, straightforward and simplifying. Because metonymy allows associated ideas to stand for actual ideas, it should not be used in literal writing. For example, “add some laughing gas” would be considered inappropriate in dentistry manuals, whereas “administer nitrous oxide” would be appropriate.