Which form of irony involves saying one thing while meaning another?

• A. Verbal irony
• B. Irony
• C. Situational irony
• D. Motif

Answer: (A)

Verbal irony happens when someone says something that means the opposite of what they truly intend, so there’s a mismatch between the literal meaning of the words and the speaker’s intended meaning. The hint in the prompt—saying one thing while meaning another—fits this perfectly, because the listener must read the tone or context to understand the true message behind the words. For example, saying “Nice weather” during a storm signals the opposite of the literal praise, signaling irony through contrast between what is said and what is meant.

Irony, in general, covers a wider range of devices, including situational irony, where the outcome is opposite of what is expected, and dramatic irony, where the audience knows more than the characters. A motif is a recurring element or symbol in a work, not a form of irony. So the form described here is verbal irony.