What is Periphrasis:
A periphrasis is a literary figure in which To express a concept or an idea, detours are made or more words are used than would conventionally have been necessary to effectively communicate the message..
On the other hand, in grammar, a periphrasis is that expression that is made up of more than one word but that, as a whole, convey a specific meaning.
The word, as such, comes from Latin periphrăsisand this in turn from the Greek περίφρασις (períphrasis), which would literally mean “to explain around.”
See also Literary Figures.
Periphrasis in rhetoric
In rhetoric, a certain way of expressing oneself by detouring or using more words than necessary to understand what is intended to be communicated is called periphrasis or circumlocution.
The objective of periphrasis, in this sense, is to avoid transmitting something in the way it would conventionally have been done and, instead, to do it in a beautiful and original way, or to evoke, by mentioning a set of characteristic features, what is sought. communicate.
For example:
“He went to the university from time to time,” instead of saying: “he went occasionally…” “Not a few booed the president,” rather than saying: “many booed…” “The Supreme Maker of heaven and earth “, to say: “God.”
Periphrasis in grammar
In grammar, and more specifically in Spanish grammar, a periphrasis is known as that expression that is made up of an auxiliary verb conjugated in one of its personal forms and an auxiliary verb in a non-personal form (infinitive, gerund or participle) on which it falls. the semantic weight.
For example:
Martín is studying for the exam. The dog went to sleep. I’m going to sing the national anthem. Are you waiting for the subway?