What does verbal irony?

Verbal irony is a figure of speech where the speaker says one thing but means the opposite. It's a way of using words to convey a meaning that is different from, and often the opposite of, their literal meaning.

Here are some key points about verbal irony:

* The speaker's intention is key: It's not just about saying something contradictory. The speaker must intend to convey a different meaning than the literal one.

* The audience needs to understand: The irony relies on the audience understanding the intended meaning, often through context and tone of voice.

* It's often used for humorous effect: Verbal irony can be funny because it creates a sense of surprise and incongruity.

* It can also be used for sarcasm: Sarcasm is a form of verbal irony that is often intended to be hurtful or critical.

Here are some examples of verbal irony:

* "Great weather we're having," said the man, shivering in the pouring rain. (The speaker is being ironic because the weather is terrible, not great.)

* "I'm so excited to be stuck in traffic for hours!" (The speaker is being sarcastic and clearly not excited about the traffic.)

* "Nice job, you really know how to handle a crisis!" (This could be ironic if the person has actually made the situation worse.)

Verbal irony can be a powerful tool for communication, allowing speakers to express their true feelings without saying them directly. It can also be a source of amusement and entertainment.