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STYLISTICOXYMORONSINTHEENGLISHLANGUAGE
1HQ7KHRD
(PDLOKRDKPKRHQ
Received:05/08/2024
Revised:17/02/2025
Accepted:26/02/2025
DOI:10.59266/houjs.2025.533
EVWDFWKLVDWLHDLPVWRLGHQWLWKHVQWDWLDQGVHPDQWLHDWHVRVWLVWL
oxymorons in the English language. Some previous researchers and linguists have
studied oxymorons from dierent aspects- with a comparison and contrastin native and
non-native languages about the functions, concepts, categorizations, semantic logical
foundations,andexpressivevalues.Thearticleusesqualitativeandquantitativeresearch
methods with techniques like description, linguistic and contextual analysis, induction,
deduction, comparison,etc.Semantic elds andoxymoron types weregroupedas partof
thedatastatisticsfromacollectionof570oxymorons,basedonthesourcesofnumerous
articles,websites,plays,poems,textbooks,novels,shortstories,colloquialisms,everyday
conversations,sayingsandquotesforoneyear.Thedatawasthencombinedandanalyzedto
determinethesemanticaspectsofliteralandgurativemeaningsforthestylisticvariationof
literary,artistic,philosophical,media,andeverydayexpressions.Thisarticlewillcontribute
toavastunderstandingoftheoxymoronsoftheEnglishlanguagefromthelinguisticand
social-culturaldimensionsforbothlecturersandstudentsattheFacultyofEnglish,Hanoi
OpenUniversity.
.HRVsyntacticfeature,semanticfeatures,stylistic,oxymoron,gureofspeech.
HanoiOpenUniversity
,,QWURGFWLRQ
A comprehensive understanding of
English wordusage and linguistic devices
is essential for eective communication.
Oxymorons play a vital role in meaning
formation as both gurative speech
techniques and reasoning tools. By
DSRVLQJ RSSRVLQJ LDV SDUDRLFDOO
yet logically, oxymorons enhance literary
expression and everyday communication,
encouraging deeper reection and
interpretation.Theirabilitytocreatemulti-
ODU VPDQLF PDQLQJV DV ULFKQVV
to discourse. This study investigates the
VQDFLF DQ VPDQLF DUVR VOLVLF
oxymorons.Previousresearchhasexamined
oxymorons from various perspectives,
including their conceptual, categorical,
and expressive values, though some have
focusedsolelyontheirfunctions.Thisstudy
DLPV R FODUL RPRURQV VQDFLF DQ
VPDQLFSURSULVKURJKDDFROOFLRQ
andanalysis.Specically,itseekstoanswer:
(1) What are oxymorons’ syntactic and
semanticfeatures?(2)Whatarethecommon
stylistic types of oxymorons? A dataset

R  RPRURQV DV VVPDLFDOO
collected, categorized,andanalyzed based
on their stylistic properties. The ndings
FRQULE R D EURDU QUVDQLQJ R
RPRURQVURPERKOLQJLVLFDQVRFLR
culturalperspectives.
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2.1.Denitionsonoxymoron
Anoxymoronappearswhenwords,
especially two words, are combined,
conveying contradictory meanings.
In essence, the two words are usually
antonyms, but they are not against each
other negatively. It is often realized that
K FRPELQDLRQ RVQ PDN VQV
externally. Internally, the two words
generate a gure of speech, bringing a
whole new connotation. It is explained
in Greek that “oxys” denotes “keen” or
“sharp,”and“moros”indicates“dull”or
“foolish.”The whole word “oxymoros”
implies “pointedly foolish”. The
Oxford Learner’s Dictionary denes an
“oxymoronisaphrasethatcombinestwo
RUV KD VP R E K RSSRVL R
each other.” According to the Merriam-
Webster Dictionary, the denition is
“an oxymoron is a combination of
contradictoryorincongruouswords.”The
CollinsDictionarygivesalittledierent
denition “An oxymoron is a gure of
VSFKLQKLFKRSSRVLRUFRQUDLFRU
ideasortermsarecombined.”
2.2. Oxymoron as a stylistic
FRPPQLFDWLHWRRO
In a similar study, Oxymoron is
a valid subset of the phrases known as
“contradiction in terms” (Fletcher &
Olwyler, 1997). The purposeful usage
R RPRUD RU UKRULFDO LPSDF VV
KP DSDU URP RKU SDUDRV DQ
contradictions. The contradiction is
only visible because the combination of
phrasesoersanewwaytocommunicate
anotion.
 7KH VQWDFWLF IHDWHV RI
Englishstylisticoxymorons
Grothe (2009) asserts that
oxymoronscanoccuratthephraselevel
DQ KD RUVVRJKULQ DSKUDV
PDEORQJRKVDPVQDFLFFODVVRUD
dierentone.Inparticular,anoxymoron’s
VQDFLF UDPLQJ PD E D VQQF
level. The range ofthe oxymoron inthe
studydoesnotcoverthestylisticaspects.
According to Lederer (2008), oxymoron
comes in various frames and can occur
at the word level. Two forms can be
achieved in this situation: a. A single-
RU RPRURQ PD S R SQQ
morphemes,suchassuperette(big-small),
ludicrous (before-after), and pianoforte
(soft-loud). b. A single-word oxymoron
is made up of separate morphemes.
Spendthrift, bittersweet, speechwriting,
DQKROVRPDURPDQLQJEDULQJ
FRPSRQQV KD PLJK E FRPELQ R
formasingleterm.Hedoesnotputthem
atsentencelevel.
 7KH VHPDQWLF IHDWHV RI
Englishstylisticoxymorons
Fortheroleofoxymorons,Pavlovich
(1979) believes that an oxymoron is a
gureofspeechmadeupoftwoelements
that stand in opposition to one another.
Heonlystudiestheuseofoxymoronsin
thecognitiveaspectsofacertainkindof
frames. Shestakova (1994) reveals that
K ORJLFDOVPDQLF OD R LVQFLRQ
governs the understanding of attributive
oxymoron combinations, where one of
KFRQUDLFRUDUVLVVEFRK
combinedsemanticsofthecombinations,
restoring its logical balance.A semantic
UODLRQVKLS KD SURFV DQ PSKDLF
RU SLJUDPPDLF LPSDF EQ K
PDQLQJV R R OLFDO QLV LV FDOO
opposition.

2.5.Thepreviousresearch
Flayih (2009) examines how
RSSRVLO PDQLQJO RUV RU SKUDVV
are intentionally combined for eect,
focusing on their ironic, humorous,
paradoxical, or emphatic functions.
However, his studyis limited tospecic
contextual uses. Ayupova et al. (2024)
FRPSDU K VUFU DQ VPDQLFV
of oxymorons in English and Russian,
UOLQJ RQ UTQF DQ VPDQLF
DQDOVLV R SORU LPSOLFL DQ SOLFL
oxymorons. Their research highlights
stylistic and cultural perspectives but
lacks a deep linguistic analysis.Nguyễn
Thế Truyền (2005) studies oxymorons
in terms of concepts, categorization,
semanticlogic,andexpressivevalue.He
SORUVFRQUDLFLRQVLQERKVPDQLFV
and user perspectives through dierent
OLQJLVLF KRULV E RV QR DUVV
their stylistic function. Unlike previous
studies,thisarticlesystematicallyanalyzes
KVQDFLFDQVPDQLFFKDUDFULVLFV
R VOLVLF RPRURQV LQ (QJOLVK
through data collection, categorization,
and analysis. It contributes to a broader
QUVDQLQJ R (QJOLVK RPRURQV
URP ERK OLQJLVLF DQ VRFLRFOUDO
perspectives.
,,,0HWRGRORJ
3.1.ContextoftheStudy
7KLVVDVFRQFRDUVV
the need for a comprehensive reference
on gures of speech among lecturers
and students at the Faculty of English,
Hanoi Open University. It serves as a
resourceforcoursesinLexico-semantics,
Translation, Speaking, and Writing
skills.Additionally,lecturerscanusethis
researchtodevelopexercisesthatenhance
students’vocabularyacquisition.
3.2.Scope of the Studyand Data
ROOHFWLRQ
7K V DQDO RPRURQV
collectedfromvarioussources,including
articles,websites,plays,poems,textbooks,
novels, short stories, colloquialisms,
conversations, sayings, and quotes. The
VOFLRQ SURFVV FRQVLU VOLVLF
and semantic criteria such as humor,
description, sarcasm, paradox, emotion,
andchild-orientedexpressions.Overone
year,approximately570oxymoronswere
gathered using computational methods,
with exclusions for jargon, slang, and
taboo words. The collected oxymorons
span multiple discourse types, including
literary,artistic,philosophical,media,and
everydaycommunication.
 5HVHDFK 0HWKRV DQ DWD
QDOVLV
A mixed-method approach,
incorporating both qualitative and
quantitative techniques, was applied.
9DULRV OLQJLVLF SDUQV U
examined based on settings, genres, and
corporal. Analytical methods such as
description, contextual and linguistic
analysis, induction, deduction, and
comparison were employed. Oxymorons
U FDJRUL DFFRULQJ R VPDQLF
elds, allowing for statistical analysis
of their frequency, adaptability, and
distinctivecharacteristics.Thestudyalso
examined syntactic patterns, focusing
RQ VERULQDLRQ DQ FRRULQDLRQ D
the phrase and sentence levels, and
DQDOKLQUSODEQOLUDODQ
gurative meanings in dierent stylistic
contexts.
IV.Majorndingsanddiscussions
The following results provide
LQVLJKV LQR K QLT OLQJLVLF DQ
UKRULFDO FKQLTV V LQ RPRURQ
use, indicating cultural and stylistic
preferences. The study claries how
oxymoronsserveasstylistictechniquesto
expresscontradiction,contrast,anddepth
ofmeaning,demonstratingtheadaptability
andinventivenessoflanguageusage.

 QWDFWLF IHDWHV RI VWOLVWLF
oxymorons
 QWDWLD VWLVWL
oxymoronscanbeclassiedintophrases.
Based on Grothe (2009) with the
VUFU R RPRURQ D K SKUDV
level and sometimes sentence level in
the pragmatic aspects, Pavlovich (1979)
with the role of oxymorons in a variety
ofsyntacticframesjustforthecognitive
aspects, and Lederer (2008) with the
varioussyntacticframesoccurringatthe
word level, this study has expanded the
SUDJPDLF UDQJ R RPRURQV LK K
stylisticusageofoxymoronsintheseven
popularandadaptablesyntacticstructures.
6RPVQDFLFVUFUVDQDPSOV
DUPQLRQLQVQQFVDVROORV
a) Verb + adverb: He could stay
awayfromschool.Sheactsnaturally.
b) Adverb + adjective/ adverb;
Faith unfaithful kept him falsely true.
It is awfully good. She has a painfully
beautifulfeeling.Thedogisprettyerce.
The cake is disgustinglydelicious.They
are all alone together. His behavior is
seriouslyfunny.
c) verb + prepositional phrase; He
killsthecatwithkindness.
d)Adjective+Adjective;Theliving
deadissaidtorise.Thecatlooksdrowsy
andvivacious.Myleastfavoritecharacters
arereconsidered.Itisthelargerhalf.Itis
bittersweet.
e) Adjective + Noun: It is an
open secret.They need virtual reality to
practice.Thisistheoriginalcopyofher
handouts.Thatisanunpopularcelebrity.
Hedoesn’tneedtheexactestimate.This
is the impossible solution. I know her
noticeableabsence.
f)Adverb+Verb;Isilentlyscream
for help. He denitely may be here. He
clearlymisunderstood.
g)Nounnoun:Thiscallsforabsolute
honesty and cunning. It is a love-hate
relationship.Sheneedszerotolerance.It
istherelationshipoftheguesthost.Itisa
matteroflove-hate.
Via the above classication, it is
VQ KD KVQDFLF DUV EORQJR
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andcoordination.Inmostcases,therst
component often acts as a modier and
K VFRQ FRPSRQQ RQ DFV DV K
head. In some cases, the rst and the
secondcomponentsareofequalvalues.It
iscalledcoordination.Infact,therearenot
manycasesofcoordinationbeingused.
 QWDWLD VWLVWL
oxymoronscanbeclassiedintosentences.
a)Thepredicateiscontrastedtothe
complement: He is found missing. The
cakeisgrowingsmaller.
b)Thesubjectisversusthepredicate:
Silence sings allaround me. My headis
bound with a band. His eyes were wide
shut.Thelessisthemore.
c) The predicate is opposed to the
object:Iwillgotothewaterandseehim
out of sight). We agreed to disagree on
certainthings.Pressthebraketostart.
d) The subject opposes the object:
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love.
e) The subject is opposed to the
complement:Thissilenceisdeafening.A
friendtoeverybodyisafriendtonobody.
An oxymoron is a distinctive
stylistic device that merges opposing
ideas to form a new, complex meaning
rather than simply combining antonyms.
Unlike antithesis, which highlights
contrast, oxymoron preserves a logical
FRQQFLRQEQLVFRPSRQQVKLO
creatinganovelconcept.Italsoservesas
apsychologicalandculturalphenomenon,
momentarily disrupting conventional

thought patterns and evoking a striking
cognitiveeect.Byintroducingelements
of paradox, irony, and contradiction,
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enhanceexpressiveimpact.
 HPDQWLF IHDWHV RI VWOLVWLF
oxymorons
Each eld reects a nuance of
meaning. It can be a stronger orweaker
irony. There are dierent types of
oxymoronswithdierentkindsandlayers
of meanings. The following oxymorons
DUJURSDFFRULQJRKPRVSRSODU
SVLKVLPLODUVPDQLFFKDUDFULVLF
featuresbasedonthecriteriaoffrequency,
style, adaptability, and semantic elds.
Throughthosegroupsofoxymorons,their
distinctive features of semantic aspects
canberevealed.
4.2.1.Comicaloxymorons
Most of the following comical
oxymorons convey humorous aspects.
Sometimes, they are called “opinion
oxymoron”. They reect an assumption
of joyfulness, evoking laughter or
amusement.Thecomicaloxymoronscan
be a means of education. They reect
the implicit assumption, providing some
moralteachingsorvalues.Amongthe95
comical oxymorons, the most noticeable
examples are: terribly pleased, literally
gurative,peaceforce,largerhalf,passive
aggression, liquid-solid, quiet scream,
harmonic dissonance, seriously casual,
incredibly real, uninvited guest, real
fantasy,virtualsubstance,activestandstill,
truelies,activelylazy,certainpossibility,
same opposite, purposeful accident, real
mirage,openlysecretive,etc…
Table4.2.1:Dierenteldsofcomicaloxymoronsforsemanticuse
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Figurative  
ItcanbeseenfromTable4.2.1thatthe
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is nearly the same, but the adaptability
of the gurative meanings is bigger. In
dierentstyles,theliteraryandtheartistic
SUVVLRQVDFFRQRUKKLJKVQPEU
of uses. The philosophical expressions
witnessthelowestnumber,with only six
VV LQ K OLUDO PDQLQJ DQ KU LQ
the gurative meaning. The media and
everydayexpressionsexperiencethesame
number of uses in literal and gurative
meanings. Notably, the literalmeaning in
useisthesameforthepressandeveryday
expressionswith11uses.
4.2.2.Descriptiveoxymorons
Descriptive oxymorons are mostly
used to create new, evocative meanings.
Unlike other oxymorons, they provide rich
details and specicallyvivid images of the
matters they are describing.They helpadd
layersofcomplexityandnuancestothetexts.
In dierent semantic elds, the descriptive
oxymorons enrich the mind and ear. They
helpreadersgetmoreaccesstothegurative
meanings.Descriptiveoxymoronsalsohelp
createalayerofdeepemotionalexpressions,
EULQJLQJ DER DPRU LPSDFOSLFU R
ideas.Amongthe105descriptiveoxymorons,
KPRVQRLFDEODPSOVDUPDQDRU
option,openlyhidden,plasticglasses,silent
scream, soft rock, constant variable, crash
landing, detailed summary, dry ice, exact
estimate, deep shallows, dull shine, empty
fullness,fastturtle,feeblestrength,fullvoid,
genuineimitation,hardpillow,heavyfeather,
high lows, innocent guilt, joyful sorrow,
known unknowns, light darkness, minor
crisis,etc,…