450 Assonance Examples [With Explanations]

Assonance is the backbone of catchy song lyrics and the reason you can’t stop repeating that one line from your favorite book. In case you forgot what assonance is, it’s the repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words. It’s not rhyme, but it sure loves to flirt with it.

Think: “The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.” That long “a” sound? That’s assonance doing its magic.

Types of Assonance Examples

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Toad on a road in the cold -- Assonance Examples
I made this image with AI– Assonance Examples

Assonance isn’t just a one-trick pony. Depending on the sounds and how they interact in a sentence, it pops up differently.

Here’s how we’re breaking it down:

  • Short Vowel Sound Assonance
  • Long Vowel Sound Assonance
  • Assonance in Poetry
  • Assonance in Prose
  • Assonance in Song Lyrics
  • Assonance in Famous Quotes
  • Assonance in Advertising & Slogans
  • Assonance in Tongue Twisters
  • Assonance in Everyday Speech

Get ready for a wild, vowel-packed ride.

Short Vowel Sound Assonance

Short vowels give words a snappy, punchy rhythm. They appear in words like “cat,” “bed,” “pin,” “pot,” and “cup.”

Let’s explore some short vowel assonance examples.

  1. “The cat sat on a black mat.” (Short “a” sound)
  2. “Red hens peck at the shed.” (Short “e” sound)
  3. “Jim skipped with a thin grin.” (Short “i” sound)
  4. “The dog jogged across the lot.” (Short “o” sound)
  5. “Duck luck struck Chuck.” (Short “u” sound)
  6. “A mad lad ran past the van.” (Short “a” sound)
  7. “Met the vet in a jet.” (Short “e” sound)
  8. “This pit is lit with a bit of grit.” (Short “i” sound)
  9. “Frog hops on top of the dock.” (Short “o” sound)
  10. “Buzz cut does what it must.” (Short “u” sound)
  11. “The rat spat at the fat cat.” (Short “a” sound)
  12. “Ted fled when he read the text.” (Short “e” sound)
  13. “Slick Rick picks quick tricks.” (Short “i” sound)
  14. “Bob robbed the shop and sobbed.” (Short “o” sound)
  15. “The pup dug up a cup.” (Short “u” sound)
  16. “The bat flapped past fast.” (Short “a” sound)
  17. “Set the net on the wet deck.” (Short “e” sound)
  18. “Tim dimmed the slim pin.” (Short “i” sound)
  19. “Tom dropped the mop on the box.” (Short “o” sound)
  20. “Jump up and bump the drum.” (Short “u” sound)
  21. “Tap that hat and chat.” (Short “a” sound)
  22. “Ken bent the stem of the pen.” (Short “e” sound)
  23. “Nick clicked the slick brick.” (Short “i” sound)
  24. “Lock the clock before it knocks.” (Short “o” sound)
  25. “Muck stuck to the duck’s luck.” (Short “u” sound)
  26. “The ham jammed into the can.” (Short “a” sound)
  27. “The bell fell down the well.” (Short “e” sound)
  28. “Drip, sip, flip, tip—it’s a trip!” (Short “i” sound)
  29. “Bob’s job robbed his mob.” (Short “o” sound)
  30. “Fun in the sun is never done.” (Short “u” sound)

Long Vowel Sound Assonance

Long vowels are the dramatic divas of language, stretching out sounds and making words sing.

Here are some top-notch long vowel assonance examples.

  1. “The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain.” (Long “a” sound)
  2. “Steve believes he will achieve.” (Long “e” sound)
  3. “Time flies by my side.” (Long “i” sound)
  4. “Joe chose to go home alone.” (Long “o” sound)
  5. “Sue knew the blue canoe was true.” (Long “u” sound)
  6. “They say the way to play is to stay.” (Long “a” sound)
  7. “Eve sees the breeze in the trees.” (Long “e” sound)
  8. “The high sky lights my mind.” (Long “i” sound)
  9. “No one knows the lonely road.” (Long “o” sound)
  10. “Few knew the truth of the blue moon.” (Long “u” sound)
  11. “Late fate waits at the gate.” (Long “a” sound)
  12. “She needs speed to succeed.” (Long “e” sound)
  13. “My pie lies beside the fire.” (Long “i” sound)
  14. “So the boat will float in the moat.” (Long “o” sound)
  15. “True clues lie in blue hues.” (Long “u” sound)
  16. “A stray ray stays in May.” (Long “a” sound)
  17. “He sees the seas with ease.” (Long “e” sound)
  18. “I sigh and try to fly high.” (Long “i” sound)
  19. “Go slow to know the flow.” (Long “o” sound)
  20. “Few view the new dew at noon.” (Long “u” sound)
  21. “Aim to claim fame in the game.” (Long “a” sound)
  22. “Please believe these keys freeze.” (Long “e” sound)
  23. “The fire’s desire burns higher.” (Long “i” sound)
  24. “Rome roams alone with a stone.” (Long “o” sound)
  25. “You assume the tune is true.” (Long “u” sound)
  26. “Chase the place where space remains.” (Long “a” sound)
  27. “Bees seize the cheese with ease.” (Long “e” sound)
  28. “I spy my shy guy nearby.” (Long “i” sound)
  29. “Go home before the phone tone.” (Long “o” sound)
  30. “The blue suit moves through the room.” (Long “u” sound)

Assonance in Poetry

Poetry and assonance go together like peanut butter and jelly—except way more lyrical and way less sticky. Poets use assonance to create rhythm, mood, and musicality in their lines.

Here are poetic examples showcasing the magic of vowel repetition.

Assonance in Classic Poetic Style

  1. “The moon looms over the cool blue pool.” (Long “o” and “u” sound)
  2. “A gleam of dreams streams through the seams.” (Long “e” sound)
  3. “The night cries with sighs that fly high.” (Long “i” sound)
  4. “Golden tones roam through the dome.” (Long “o” sound)
  5. “The tune swoons under the blue lagoon.” (Long “u” sound)
  6. “Dawn draws upon the yawn of morn.” (Long “a” and “o” sound)
  7. “Soft bells swell and tell their spell.” (Short “e” sound)
  8. “Fleeting leaves weave the breeze with ease.” (Long “e” sound)
  9. “Fire desires to inspire higher.” (Long “i” sound)
  10. “A boat floats where the moat coats the stone.” (Long “o” sound)

Assonance in Haiku Form

  1. “Clouds sail far away—
    faint shades of blue in the sky,
    rain hums lullabies.” (Long “a” and “u” sounds)
  2. “Spring winds whisper soft,
    petals drift on silver streams,
    time folds into dusk.” (Short “i” and long “o” sounds)
  3. “Leaves leap, twigs twist tight,
    autumn sighs upon the hills,
    gold light melts away.” (Long “i” and short “i” sounds)
  4. “Stars shine, sky sighs low,
    night unfolds its darkened wings,
    moonlight hums alone.” (Long “i” and “o” sounds)
  5. “Snow drifts, cold winds weep,
    silent echoes fade in frost,
    ice glows under dawn.” (Short “o” and long “o” sounds)

Assonance in Free Verse Poetry

  1. “The river quivers with silver shimmer,
    delivers whispers in winter’s sliver.” (Short “i” sound)
  2. “A lonely road, a stone-cold throne,
    the echoes drone where night has flown.” (Long “o” sound)
  3. “Beneath the trees, the breeze believes,
    it leaves with ease through whispered eaves.” (Long “e” sound)
  4. “Light ignites the heights of night,
    white fire fights the dying might.” (Long “i” sound)
  5. “Dew renews the blue lagoon,
    moonlit hues in velvet tune.” (Long “u” sound)
  6. “Amber embers tremble,
    flicker, shimmer, linger, dwindle.” (Short “e” sound)
  7. “The sun hums among the young,
    its drums rung on golden tongues.” (Short “u” sound)
  8. “Silent tides slide wide in time,
    the rhyme aligns with fleeting signs.” (Long “i” sound)
  9. “Mist drifts, twists in silver threads,
    the night sheds its final breath.” (Short “i” sound)
  10. “Gold folds in cold old stones,
    bold echoes roll where wind atones.” (Long “o” sound)
  11. “A veil of rain stains the plains,
    it wanes but remains in sweet refrains.” (Long “a” sound)
  12. “Swaying waves crave silver grace,
    they lace the space with sea’s embrace.” (Long “a” sound)
  13. “Through deep sleep, the reaper creeps,
    his sweep reaps the lost and weak.” (Long “e” sound)
  14. “The sky sighs with high tide cries,
    moonlight lies where silence dies.” (Long “i” sound)
  15. “A tune croons to the moon’s bloom,
    a room consumed in velvet gloom.” (Long “o” and “u” sounds)

Assonance in Prose

Not every assonance example needs to be poetic—sometimes it sneaks into regular storytelling, adding a bit of musicality to fiction and even everyday speech.

Let’s see how it plays out in sentences.

  1. “The black cat dashed past the shack.” (Short “a” sound)
  2. “The red sled sped ahead on the wet bed of snow.” (Short “e” sound)
  3. “Billy filled his thin tin with rich milk.” (Short “i” sound)
  4. “The dog trotted off, lost in fog.” (Short “o” sound)
  5. “The duck clucked as it jumped from the trunk.” (Short “u” sound)
  6. “The day stayed gray as the rain strayed away.” (Long “a” sound)
  7. “She sees the trees as the breeze eases through the leaves.” (Long “e” sound)
  8. “I try to lie beside the fire.” (Long “i” sound)
  9. “Joe chose the lone road home.” (Long “o” sound)
  10. “Sue knew the blue balloon was new.” (Long “u” sound)
  11. “Tim kicked the thin brick with a quick flick.” (Short “i” sound)
  12. “The boat’s coat floats over the moat.” (Long “o” sound)
  13. “A rare hare stares from the chair with care.” (Long “a” sound)
  14. “A bright light ignites the night sky.” (Long “i” sound)
  15. “The dune crooned as the moon swooned overhead.” (Long “u” sound)
  16. “Brett let the net set near the wet deck.” (Short “e” sound)
  17. “Lynn grinned as she pinned the thin ribbon.” (Short “i” sound)
  18. “Todd jogged along the long dock, lost in thought.” (Short “o” sound)
  19. “Muck stuck to the truck in the luckless flood.” (Short “u” sound)
  20. “Fame came in waves that tamed his rage.” (Long “a” sound)
  21. “Bees tease the breeze as leaves weave in trees.” (Long “e” sound)
  22. “A wise guy tries to fly high at sunrise.” (Long “i” sound)
  23. “The old gold road glowed bold in the cold.” (Long “o” sound)
  24. “You assume the blue hues bloom under the moon.” (Long “u” sound)
  25. “The pale whale sailed beyond the rail.” (Long “a” sound)
  26. “These green trees lean in the evening breeze.” (Long “e” sound)
  27. “I sigh, denied the right to fight.” (Long “i” sound)
  28. “The slow flow of the river shows no woe.” (Long “o” sound)
  29. “The fruit juice cools in smooth pools at noon.” (Long “u” sound)
  30. “Dan ran with the clan to the jam stand.” (Short “a” sound)

Assonance in Song Lyrics

Musicians love assonance because it makes lyrics catchy, smooth, and unforgettable.

Ever wondered why certain lines get stuck in your head? That’s the magic of vowel repetition. Here are assonance-packed lyrics from different genres.

Classic Rock & Pop Assonance Examples

  1. “Sweet dreams are made of these.” (Long “e” sound – Eurythmics)
  2. “I feel the need, the need for speed.” (Long “e” sound – Top Gun)
  3. “The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.” (Long “a” sound – My Fair Lady)
  4. “We will, we will rock you.” (Short “i” and “u” sounds – Queen)
  5. “The times, they are a-changin’.” (Long “i” sound – Bob Dylan)
  6. “It’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock ‘n’ roll.” (Long “o” sound – AC/DC)
  7. “Lean on me, when you’re not strong.” (Long “e” sound – Bill Withers)
  8. “Go your own way.” (Long “o” and “a” sounds – Fleetwood Mac)
  9. “Take me home, country roads.” (Long “o” sound – John Denver)
  10. “I see a bad moon rising.” (Long “i” sound – Creedence Clearwater Revival)

Hip-Hop & R&B Assonance Examples

  1. “I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire.” (Long “i” sound – Katy Perry)
  2. “Drop it like it’s hot, drop it like it’s hot.” (Short “o” sound – Snoop Dogg)
  3. “Money, money, money, must be funny, in the rich man’s world.” (Short “u” and “i” sounds – ABBA)
  4. “I got 99 problems but a hit ain’t one.” (Short “i” sound – Jay-Z)
  5. “It’s getting hot in here, so take off all your clothes.” (Short “o” sound – Nelly)
  6. “Started from the bottom, now we here.” (Short “o” sound – Drake)
  7. “I got sunshine on a cloudy day.” (Long “i” sound – The Temptations)
  8. “I knew you were trouble when you walked in.” (Long “u” sound – Taylor Swift)
  9. “You used to call me on my cell phone.” (Long “u” sound – Drake)
  10. “Baby, baby, baby, ohhh.” (Long “a” sound – Justin Bieber)

Country & Folk Assonance Examples

  1. “Take these broken wings and learn to fly.” (Long “i” sound – The Beatles)
  2. “Life is a highway, I wanna ride it all night long.” (Long “i” sound – Tom Cochrane)
  3. “She’s in love with the boy.” (Long “o” sound – Trisha Yearwood)
  4. “Blame it all on my roots, I showed up in boots.” (Long “o” and “u” sounds – Garth Brooks)
  5. “You’re as smooth as Tennessee whiskey.” (Long “u” sound – Chris Stapleton)
  6. “Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high.” (Long “o” and “i” sounds – Judy Garland)
  7. “Stand by your man.” (Short “a” sound – Tammy Wynette)
  8. “I walk the line.” (Long “i” sound – Johnny Cash)
  9. “Love me tender, love me sweet, never let me go.” (Short “e” and “o” sounds – Elvis Presley)
  10. “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.” (Long “i” sound – Traditional)

Pop-Punk & Alternative Assonance Examples

  1. “With the lights out, it’s less dangerous.” (Long “i” sound – Nirvana)
  2. “It’s my life, it’s now or never.” (Long “i” sound – Bon Jovi)
  3. “If I lay here, if I just lay here.” (Long “a” sound – Snow Patrol)
  4. “In the end, it doesn’t even matter.” (Short “e” sound – Linkin Park)
  5. “It’s something unpredictable, but in the end it’s right.” (Long “i” sound – Green Day)

Assonance in Famous Quotes

Great speeches and memorable lines often rely on assonance to stick in people’s minds.

  1. “I came, I saw, I conquered.” (Long “a” sound – Julius Caesar)
  2. “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” (Long “i” and “e” sounds – Muhammad Ali)
  3. “Give me liberty or give me death!” (Short “i” sound – Patrick Henry)
  4. “An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.” (Long “i” sound – Gandhi)
  5. “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” (Long “u” sound – John F. Kennedy)
  6. “To be or not to be, that is the question.” (Long “e” sound – Shakespeare)
  7. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” (Short “i” sound – Martin Luther King Jr.)
  8. “All for one and one for all.” (Short “o” sound – Alexandre Dumas)
  9. “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” (Long “o” sound – Eleanor Roosevelt)
  10. “Do or do not, there is no try.” (Long “o” sound – Yoda)
  11. “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” (Long “e” sound – Franklin D. Roosevelt)
  12. “With great power comes great responsibility.” (Short “i” sound – Spider-Man)
  13. “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” (Short “i” sound – Theodore Roosevelt)
  14. “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” (Long “u” sound – Gandhi)
  15. “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” (Long “i” sound – Abraham Lincoln)
  16. “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” (Long “o” sound – Sun Tzu)
  17. “Live as if you were to die tomorrow, learn as if you were to live forever.” (Long “i” sound – Gandhi)
  18. “It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” (Long “o” sound – J.K. Rowling)
  19. “Happiness depends upon ourselves.” (Short “e” sound – Aristotle)
  20. “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” (Long “i” sound – Lao Tzu)
  21. “Power is not given to you. You have to take it.” (Short “i” sound – Beyoncé)
  22. “Success is not final, failure is not fatal.” (Short “i” sound – Winston Churchill)
  23. “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” (Short “a” sound – Theodore Roosevelt)
  24. “The pen is mightier than the sword.” (Short “i” sound – Edward Bulwer-Lytton)
  25. “Keep moving forward.” (Long “o” sound – Walt Disney)

Assonance in Advertising & Slogans

Marketing pros know that catchy slogans stick in your brain like gum on a hot sidewalk.

Assonance makes brand messaging more memorable, rhythmic, and appealing. Here are prime assonance examples from famous advertisements and taglines.

Classic Advertising Assonance

  1. “The best a man can get.” (Short “e” sound – Gillette)
  2. “Melts in your mouth, not in your hands.” (Short “o” and “a” sounds – M&M’s)
  3. “Snap, crackle, pop!” (Short “a” and “o” sounds – Rice Krispies)
  4. “I’m lovin’ it.” (Short “i” sound – McDonald’s)
  5. “A diamond is forever.” (Long “i” sound – De Beers)
  6. “Eat fresh.” (Short “e” sound – Subway)
  7. “The quicker picker-upper.” (Short “i” sound – Bounty)
  8. “America runs on Dunkin’.” (Short “u” sound – Dunkin’ Donuts)
  9. “Fly the friendly skies.” (Long “i” sound – United Airlines)
  10. “Maybe she’s born with it. Maybe it’s Maybelline.” (Long “a” sound – Maybelline)

Modern Advertising Assonance

  1. “Think different.” (Short “i” sound – Apple)
  2. “Don’t just book it. Thomas Cook it.” (Short “u” sound – Thomas Cook)
  3. “Every kiss begins with Kay.” (Long “i” and “a” sounds – Kay Jewelers)
  4. “Open happiness.” (Short “e” sound – Coca-Cola)
  5. “Obey your thirst.” (Long “o” sound – Sprite)
  6. “Tastes so good, cats ask for it by name.” (Long “a” sound – Meow Mix)
  7. “Gotta catch ’em all!” (Short “a” sound – Pokémon)
  8. “Dr. Pepper, what’s the worst that could happen?” (Short “a” and “u” sounds – Dr. Pepper)
  9. “Built Ford Tough.” (Short “u” sound – Ford)

Brand Names & Jingles

  1. “Ba-da-ba-ba-ba, I’m lovin’ it!” (Short “a” and “i” sounds – McDonald’s)
  2. “Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.” (Long “a” sound)
  3. “Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a relief it is!” (Short “i” sound – Alka-Seltzer)
  4. “The few, the proud, the Marines.” (Short “u” sound)
  5. “Choosy moms choose Jif.” (Short “u” sound)
  6. “Tastes great, less filling!” (Long “a” sound – Miller Lite)
  7. “Uh-oh! Better get Maaco.” (Short “o” sound)
  8. “The happiest place on Earth.” (Short “a” and “e” sounds – Disney)

Assonance in Tongue Twisters

Tongue twisters are already tricky, but throw in some assonance, and you’ve got a verbal workout. Here are 30 fun ones.

Short & Snappy Tongue Twisters

  1. “Six slick sticks.” (Short “i” sound)
  2. “Black bat sat on a flat mat.” (Short “a” sound)
  3. “Red lead fed Ted’s head.” (Short “e” sound)
  4. “Big pig digs a fig.” (Short “i” sound)
  5. “Hot pots and top spots.” (Short “o” sound)
  6. “Up the cup with a pup.” (Short “u” sound)
  7. “Thin twins spin pins.” (Short “i” sound)
  8. “Fast cats chat at last.” (Short “a” sound)
  9. “Let the wet pet fret.” (Short “e” sound)
  10. “A sad lad had a bad fad.” (Short “a” sound)

Longer, Trickier Tongue Twisters

  1. “If a woodchuck could chuck wood, how much wood would a woodchuck chuck?” (Short “u” sound)
  2. “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.” (Short “i” sound)
  3. “She sells sea shells by the sea shore.” (Long “e” sound)
  4. “How can a clam cram in a clean cream can?” (Short “a” sound)
  5. “I saw Susie sitting in a shoe shine shop.” (Short “i” sound)
  6. “I have got a date at a quarter to eight; I’ll see you at the gate, so don’t be late.” (Long “a” sound) — Anonymous
  7. “Eddie edited it.” (Short “e” sound)
  8. “Tom threw Tim three thumbtacks.” (Short “u” sound)
  9. “Fred fed Ted bread, and Ted fed Fred bread.” (Short “e” sound)
  10. “Betty bought a bit of butter, but the butter was bitter.” (Short “i” sound)

Extreme Tongue Twisters

  1. “A skunk sat on a stump. The stump thunk the skunk stunk. The skunk thunk the stump stunk.” (Short “u” sound)
  2. “How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?” (Short “u” sound) — Anonymous
  3. “A tutor who tooted the flute tried to tutor two tooters to toot.” (Short “u” sound) — Anonymous
  4. “The big black bug bled blue black blood while the big blue bug bled black.” (Short “u” sound)
  5. “A proper copper coffee pot.” (Short “o” sound)
  6. “Three free throws.” (Long “e” sound)
  7. “Unique New York, you need unique New York.” (Long “u” sound)
  8. “Fresh fried fish filets.” (Short “i” sound)
  9. “Truly rural.” (Long “u” sound)
  10. “Rolling red wagons.” (Short “a” sound)

Assonance in Everyday Speech

We often use assonance in casual conversation without realizing it. Here are common phrases that feature vowel repetition.

Common Sayings & Proverbs

  1. “The early bird catches the worm.” (Short “e” sound)
  2. “Easy peasy lemon squeezy.” (Long “e” sound)
  3. “No pain, no gain.” (Long “a” sound)
  4. “The squeaky wheel gets the grease.” (Long “e” sound)
  5. “Honesty is the best policy.” (Short “o” sound)
  6. “You snooze, you lose.” (Long “u” sound)
  7. “If the shoe fits, wear it.” (Long “i” sound)
  8. “Live and let live.” (Short “i” sound)
  9. “Bigger is better.” (Short “i” sound)
  10. “Mind over matter.” (Short “a” sound)

Assonance in Famous Literature

Great authors and poets use assonance to create rhythm and emotion in their writing.

Below you’ll find literary-minded assonance examples.

Assonance in Classic Literature

  1. “Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary.” (Long “e” sound – Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven)
  2. “Do not go gentle into that good night.” (Short “o” sound – Dylan Thomas, Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night)
  3. “Hear the mellow wedding bells.” (Short “e” sound – Edgar Allan Poe, The Bells)
  4. “The tide rises, the tide falls.” (Long “i” sound – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)
  5. “Of man’s first disobedience, and the fruit.” (Long “u” sound – John Milton, Paradise Lost)
  6. “The old moon laughed and sang a tune.” (Long “o” sound – Lewis Carroll)
  7. “Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness.” (Short “i” sound – John Keats, To Autumn)
  8. “Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou art.” (Long “i” sound – John Keats)
  9. “Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments.” (Long “i” sound – Shakespeare, Sonnet 116)
  10. “A host of golden daffodils, beside the lake, beneath the trees.” (Long “o” sound – William Wordsworth)

Assonance in Modern Literature

  1. “The wild winds wail and the night is pale.” (Long “i” and “a” sounds – Emily Dickinson)
  2. “I took the road less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” (Long “o” sound – Robert Frost)
  3. “Some say the world will end in fire, some say in ice.” (Long “i” sound – Robert Frost)
  4. “I saw in Louisiana a live-oak growing.” (Long “o” sound – Walt Whitman)
  5. “Out of the cradle endlessly rocking.” (Short “o” sound – Walt Whitman)
  6. “So dawn goes down to day.” (Long “o” sound – Robert Frost)
  7. “I sound my barbaric yawp over the roofs of the world.” (Long “o” sound – Walt Whitman)
  8. “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul.” (Short “i” sound – Emily Dickinson)
  9. “Nothing gold can stay.” (Long “o” sound – Robert Frost)
  10. “Because I could not stop for Death, he kindly stopped for me.” (Short “o” sound – Emily Dickinson)

Assonance in Prose & Novels

  1. “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” (Long “o” sound – F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby)
  2. “A land laid waste with all its young men slain.” (Long “a” sound – Stephen Crane, The Red Badge of Courage)
  3. “And stepping softly with her air of blooded ruin.” (Short “o” sound – William Faulkner)
  4. “Call me Ishmael.” (Short “a” sound – Herman Melville, Moby-Dick)
  5. “The horror! The horror!” (Short “o” sound – Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness)
  6. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” (Short “i” sound – Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities)
  7. “It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury.” (Long “a” sound – Shakespeare, Macbeth)
  8. “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” (Short “i” sound – J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings)
  9. “Fear is the mind-killer.” (Long “i” sound – Frank Herbert, Dune)

Fiction Writers’ Use of Assonance

  1. “I write this sitting in the kitchen sink.” (Short “i” sound – Dodie Smith, I Capture the Castle)
  2. “A screaming comes across the sky.” (Long “i” sound – Thomas Pynchon, Gravity’s Rainbow)
  3. “The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.” (Short “a” sound – Stephen King, The Gunslinger)
  4. “The ships hung in the sky in much the same way that bricks don’t.” (Long “i” sound – Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy)
  5. “It was love at first sight.” (Short “i” sound – Joseph Heller, Catch-22)
  6. “Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” (Short “a” sound – Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina)
  7. “A dream deferred dries up like a raisin in the sun.” (Long “i” sound – Langston Hughes)
  8. “Big Brother is watching you.” (Short “i” sound – George Orwell, 1984)
  9. “Not all those who wander are lost.” (Long “o” sound – J.R.R. Tolkien)
  10. “War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.” (Long “e” sound – George Orwell, 1984)

Assonance in Movies & TV Shows

Movie scripts are packed with assonance, giving lines extra impact. Enjoy these assonance examples.

Classic Movie Quotes

  1. “May the Force be with you.” (Long “o” sound – Star Wars)
  2. “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.” (Short “a” sound – The Godfather)
  3. “You talking to me?” (Short “i” sound – Taxi Driver)
  4. “Here’s looking at you, kid.” (Short “i” sound – Casablanca)
  5. “You can’t handle the truth!” (Short “a” sound – A Few Good Men)
  6. “Life is like a box of chocolates.” (Short “i” sound – Forrest Gump)
  7. “There’s no place like home.” (Long “o” sound – The Wizard of Oz)
  8. “I’ll be back.” (Short “a” sound – The Terminator)
  9. “Just keep swimming.” (Short “i” sound – Finding Nemo)

Assonance in Sitcom Catchphrases

  1. “How you doin’?” (Long “o” sound – Friends)
  2. “No soup for you!” (Long “o” sound – Seinfeld)
  3. “Bazinga!” (Short “i” sound – The Big Bang Theory)
  4. “We were on a break!” (Short “e” sound – Friends)
  5. “That’s what she said.” (Short “e” sound – The Office)
  6. “Oh my God, they killed Kenny!” (Short “i” sound – South Park)
  7. “D’oh!” (Long “o” sound – The Simpsons)
  8. “Live long and prosper.” (Short “i” sound – Star Trek)
  9. “Smelly cat, smelly cat, what are they feeding you?” (Short “e” sound – Friends)
  10. “Good night, John-Boy.” (Long “i” sound – The Waltons)

Assonance in Stand-Up Comedy

  1. “Why do they call it a building? It’s already built!” (Long “i” sound – Jerry Seinfeld)
  2. “I used to do drugs. I still do, but I used to, too.” (Long “u” sound – Mitch Hedberg)
  3. “A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.” (Long “i” sound – Steve Martin)
  4. “I love escalators because they can never break, they just become stairs.” (Long “a” sound – Mitch Hedberg)
  5. “I told my wife the truth. I told her I was seeing a psychiatrist. Then she told me the truth: that she was seeing a psychiatrist, two plumbers, and a bartender.” (Short “i” sound – Rodney Dangerfield)
  6. “Always borrow money from a pessimist. He won’t expect it back.” (Short “o” sound – Oscar Wilde)
  7. “I intend to live forever. So far, so good.” (Long “o” sound – Steven Wright)
  8. “I wonder if clouds ever look down on us and say, ‘Hey, that one looks like an idiot.’” (Short “i” sound – George Carlin)
  9. “I’m against picketing, but I don’t know how to show it.” (Short “i” sound – Mitch Hedberg)
  10. “I told my dad I wanted to be a comedian. He told me, ‘Great, just don’t quit your day job.’” (Long “i” sound – Jim Gaffigan)

Assonance in Animated Shows & Cartoons

  1. “Me fail English? That’s unpossible!” (Short “i” sound – Ralph Wiggum, The Simpsons)
  2. “Wubba lubba dub dub!” (Short “u” sound – Rick and Morty)
  3. “Suffering succotash!” (Short “u” sound – Sylvester the Cat)
  4. “Yabba-dabba-doo!” (Short “a” and “u” sounds – The Flintstones)
  5. “Zoinks!” (Long “o” sound – Shaggy, Scooby-Doo)
  6. “What’s up, doc?” (Short “o” sound – Bugs Bunny)
  7. “By the power of Grayskull, I have the power!” (Long “a” and “o” sounds – He-Man)
  8. “Oh, bother.” (Short “o” sound – Winnie the Pooh)
  9. “I am Groot.” (Long “o” sound – Guardians of the Galaxy)
  10. “Eat my shorts!” (Short “o” sound – Bart Simpson)

Assonance in Historical Speeches

The most memorable speeches in history use assonance to make key phrases more impactful and unforgettable.

Presidential & Political Speeches

  1. “We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets.” (Long “i” sound – Winston Churchill)
  2. “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” (Long “u” sound – John F. Kennedy)
  3. “Yes we can.” (Short “e” sound – Barack Obama)
  4. “I have a dream.” (Long “e” sound – Martin Luther King Jr.)
  5. “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” (Long “e” sound – Franklin D. Roosevelt)
  6. “Tear down this wall!” (Short “a” sound – Ronald Reagan)
  7. “A government of the people, by the people, for the people.” (Long “e” sound – Abraham Lincoln)
  8. “I am the first accused.” (Short “i” sound – Nelson Mandela)
  9. “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.” (Short “e” sound – Ronald Reagan)
  10. “Power concedes nothing without demand.” (Short “i” sound – Frederick Douglass)

Revolutionary & Motivational Speeches

  1. “Give me liberty or give me death!” (Short “i” sound – Patrick Henry)
  2. “Veni, vidi, vici.” (Long “i” sound – Julius Caesar)
  3. “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” (Long “a” sound – Nelson Mandela)
  4. “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” (Short “a” sound – Theodore Roosevelt)
  5. “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” (Long “i” sound – Abraham Lincoln)
  6. “We choose to go to the moon!” (Long “o” sound – John F. Kennedy)
  7. “To infinity and beyond!” (Long “i” sound – Buzz Lightyear)
  8. “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” (Short “i” sound – Theodore Roosevelt)
  9. “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” (Long “i” sound – Neil Armstrong)
  10. “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” (Long “o” sound – Martin Luther King Jr.)

Military & Heroic Speeches

  1. “We are not afraid.” (Long “a” sound – Malala Yousafzai)
  2. “Through endurance, we conquer.” (Short “u” sound – Ernest Shackleton)
  3. “The harder the conflict, the greater the triumph.” (Long “i” sound – George Washington)
  4. “Never, never, never give up.” (Short “e” sound – Winston Churchill)
  5. “I am prepared to die.” (Long “i” sound – Nelson Mandela)
  6. “We shall overcome.” (Long “o” sound – Civil Rights Movement)
  7. “Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever.” (Short “i” sound – Napoleon Bonaparte)
  8. “Live free or die.” (Long “i” sound – New Hampshire motto)
  9. “Victory at all costs!” (Short “i” sound – Winston Churchill)

Assonance in Sports & Catchphrases

Athletes, coaches, and commentators use assonance to make their words more powerful and memorable. Whether it’s a rallying cry, a victory speech, or a legendary call, these phrases stick in our minds thanks to vowel repetition.

Iconic Sports Quotes

  1. “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” (Long “i” and “e” sounds – Muhammad Ali)
  2. “I am the most wonderful!” (Long “a” sound – Muhammad Ali)
  3. “Just do it.” (Short “u” and “i” sounds – Nike)
  4. “Impossible is nothing.” (Short “i” sound – Adidas)
  5. “The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.” (Long “i” and “e” sounds – ABC’s Wide World of Sports)
  6. “Play like a champion today.” (Long “a” sound – Notre Dame Football)
  7. “No pain, no gain.” (Long “a” sound – Gym Motto)
  8. “Winners never quit, and quitters never win.” (Short “i” sound – Vince Lombardi)
  9. “Defense wins championships.” (Short “i” sound – Common Sports Saying)
  10. “Pain is temporary, pride is forever.” (Short “i” sound – Marathon Mantra)

Catchy Sports Commentator Calls

  1. “He could go all the way!” (Long “o” and “a” sounds – Football)
  2. “Goooooooooal!” (Long “o” sound – Soccer Announcer)
  3. “Boomshakalaka!” (Short “a” sound – NBA Jam)
  4. “Touchdown, Titans!” (Short “i” sound – Football)
  5. “And the crowd goes wild!” (Short “i” sound – General Sports)
  6. “The shot heard ’round the world!” (Short “o” sound – Baseball)
  7. “Swing and a miss!” (Short “i” sound – Baseball)
  8. “Three-pointer at the buzzer!” (Long “e” sound – Basketball)
  9. “It’s in the hole!” (Short “o” sound – Golf)
  10. “Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier!” (Long “o” sound – Boxing)

Motivational Sports Sayings

  1. “Run fast, train hard, never quit.” (Short “i” sound)
  2. “Hustle, hit, never quit.” (Short “i” sound)
  3. “Eat, sleep, train, repeat.” (Long “e” sound)
  4. “Champions are made, not born.” (Long “a” sound)
  5. “Sweat today, shine tomorrow.” (Long “o” sound)
  6. “The will to win is nothing without the will to train.” (Long “i” sound)
  7. “Respect all, fear none.” (Short “e” sound)
  8. “Speed kills, but precision thrills.” (Short “i” sound)
  9. “Winners focus on winning, losers focus on winners.” (Short “i” sound)
  10. “Never back down, never give up.” (Short “i” and “u” sounds)

Assonance in Pop Culture & Slang

From everyday slang to viral phrases, assonance plays a big role in making words more fun to say. Here are 30 catchy examples.

Popular Slang & Sayings

  1. “Easy breezy.” (Long “e” sound)
  2. “Bling bling.” (Short “i” sound)
  3. “Chill pill.” (Short “i” sound)
  4. “No way, José!” (Long “o” and “a” sounds)
  5. “Fake it ‘til you make it.” (Long “a” sound)
  6. “Ain’t no thing but a chicken wing.” (Short “i” and long “a” sounds)
  7. “YOLO – You only live once.” (Long “o” sound)
  8. “See ya later, alligator!” (Long “a” sound)
  9. “Hasta la vista, baby.” (Long “a” sound)
  10. “Mo’ money, mo’ problems.” (Long “o” sound)

Catchy Pop Culture Phrases

  1. “Shaken, not stirred.” (Short “i” sound – James Bond)
  2. “You can’t sit with us.” (Short “i” sound – Mean Girls)
  3. “I am inevitable.” (Short “i” sound – Avengers: Endgame)
  4. “To infinity and beyond!” (Long “i” sound – Toy Story)
  5. “Winter is coming.” (Short “i” sound – Game of Thrones)
  6. “Wassup?” (Short “u” sound – Budweiser Commercial)
  7. “There’s no crying in baseball!” (Long “i” sound – A League of Their Own)
  8. “I volunteer as tribute!” (Long “i” sound – The Hunger Games)
  9. “Say hello to my little friend!” (Long “o” sound – Scarface)
  10. “Hasta la vista, baby!” (Long “a” sound – Terminator 2)

Fun & Playful Expressions

  1. “Mumbo jumbo.” (Short “u” sound)
  2. “Hocus pocus.” (Short “o” sound)
  3. “Loco in the coco.” (Long “o” sound)
  4. “Holy moly!” (Long “o” sound)
  5. “Bada bing, bada boom!” (Short “i” and “u” sounds)
  6. “Row row row your boat.” (Long “o” sound)
  7. “Willy nilly.” (Short “i” sound)
  8. “Loosey-goosey.” (Long “u” sound)
  9. “Okey dokey, artichokey!” (Long “o” sound)
  10. “Cool as a cucumber.” (Short “u” sound)

Miscellaneous Assonance Examples

Now let’s explore some random assonance examples:

  1. “No clue what to do.” (Long “u” sound)
  2. “The black cat sat on a flat mat.” (Short “a” sound)
  3. “A mad lad ran past the van.” (Short “a” sound)
  4. “Sleep deep, dream sweet.” (Long “e” sound)
  5. “Big pigs dig figs.” (Short “i” sound)
  6. “Lonely ponies roam slowly.” (Long “o” sound)
  7. “A stray ray stays in May.” (Long “a” sound)
  8. “Go slow to know the flow.” (Long “o” sound)
  9. “A crazy daisy sways in May.” (Long “a” sound)
  10. “Fred read in a bread bed.” (Short “e” sound)
  11. “Bright lights shine high at night.” (Long “i” sound)
  12. “Blue moons soon bloom in June.” (Long “u” sound)
  13. “The fat cat napped on a flat mat.” (Short “a” sound)
  14. “Sweet dreams gleam beneath the trees.” (Long “e” sound)
  15. “The cold stone glowed in the golden road.” (Long “o” sound)
  16. “Drip, sip, flip, tip—don’t slip!” (Short “i” sound)
  17. “A dull drum thumps under the hut.” (Short “u” sound)
  18. “Time flies high while tides rise.” (Long “i” sound)
  19. “The brave wave gave way in May.” (Long “a” sound)
  20. “Quick lips flip tricks with bricks.” (Short “i” sound)
  21. “Golden toads float on old boats.” (Long “o” sound)
  22. “The wise owl hides in the high pine.” (Long “i” sound)
  23. “The big rig slid into the ditch.” (Short “i” sound)
  24. “A cool pool soothes smooth moves.” (Long “u” sound)
  25. “Fast tracks pass past vast grass.” (Short “a” sound)
  26. “Deep seas teem with sleek fish.” (Long “e” sound)
  27. “Rolling stones roam home alone.” (Long “o” sound)
  28. “Chuck’s luck struck when the truck got stuck.” (Short “u” sound)
  29. “The red hen fled from the shed.” (Short “e” sound)
  30. “Sue knew the true blue moon was due.” (Long “u” sound)

For even more assonance examples, here is a good video to watch:

YouTube Video by Learn Easy English — Assonance Examples

Final Thoughts

Your journey has just begun and yet you have already come so very far. Thanks for visiting my site and reading this guide to assonance examples.

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