Juxtaposition means placing two different things side by side so the difference between them stands out. It is a long word for a simple idea, and you see it every day in books, films, ads and even city streets.
In this lesson, we will look at what juxtaposition means, how to say it, and how you can use it in your own writing.
Quick answer
Juxtaposition (noun): putting two contrasting ideas, images, characters or words close together to create an effect.
Example: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” (Charles Dickens)
What you will learn
- what juxtaposition means, in simple words
- how to pronounce it
- the grammar patterns that go with it
- real examples from life, books, films and speeches
- how to use it in your own writing, with a short quiz
What Does Juxtaposition Mean?
Quick Navigation
Let’s break the word into two parts. Juxta is Latin for “next to.” Add the English word position, and you get “placing next to.” That is the whole idea.
Imagine you are walking down a busy street. On one side is a modern glass skyscraper. On the other side is a small church that is 300 years old.
Because you see them together, the church looks older and the tower looks newer. Each one makes the other stand out. That effect is juxtaposition.
The two things do not need to be in the same sentence. They can share a paragraph, a scene, a photo or a whole story. What matters is that the reader sees them together.
Teacher’s tip
An easy way to remember the word: juxtaposition sounds a bit like “just next to position.” And that is exactly what it means.
How to Pronounce Juxtaposition
The word has five syllables, and the main stress is on the fourth one: JUK-stuh-puh-ZISH-un. Try saying it slowly first, then at normal speed.
| Word | Sounds like | IPA | Part of speech |
|---|---|---|---|
| juxtaposition | JUK-stuh-puh-ZISH-un | /ˌdʒʌk.stə.pəˈzɪʃ.ən/ | noun |
| juxtapose | JUK-stuh-pohz | /ˌdʒʌk.stəˈpəʊz/ (UK), /ˈdʒʌk.stə.poʊz/ (US) | verb |
| juxtaposed | JUK-stuh-pohzd | /ˌdʒʌk.stəˈpəʊzd/ | adjective / past form |
You can listen to it on our juxtaposition dictionary page.
Grammar Patterns with Juxtapose and Juxtaposition
Many learners feel comfortable with the noun but unsure about the verb. These five patterns cover most situations.
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| juxtapose A with B | The film juxtaposes city life with life on a farm. |
| juxtapose A and B | The poet juxtaposes youth and old age. |
| A is juxtaposed with/against B | Her calm voice is juxtaposed against the chaos around her. |
| the juxtaposition of A and B | The juxtaposition of wealth and poverty shocked visitors. |
| a striking / stark / strange juxtaposition | It was a stark juxtaposition: a palace next to a slum. |
Adjectives that often go with the noun: striking, stark, sharp, odd, unexpected and deliberate. “A striking juxtaposition” is a useful phrase for essays.
Why Do Writers Use Juxtaposition?
Juxtaposition is more than decoration. It helps a writer do several things:
- Make a point clearer. A difference is easier to see when both sides appear together.
- Show character. A brave hero looks braver next to a nervous friend. Literature calls this second character a foil.
- Build tension or emotion. A happy wedding scene placed next to a sad funeral scene makes viewers feel uneasy.
- Add humor or irony. A very serious speech given in a funny costume makes people laugh.
- Make readers think. When two things do not seem to belong together, readers ask why they are there.
Juxtaposition Examples
Let’s look at some examples, starting with everyday life.
Everyday examples (tap a card to see what is juxtaposed)
A stone church between two glass towersTap to reveal
A “before and after” fitness photoTap to reveal
A luxury restaurant next to a food bankTap to reveal
A loud party next door during exam weekTap to reveal
Examples in literature
| Text | Example | What is juxtaposed |
|---|---|---|
| A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens (1859) | “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” | best and worst, hope and despair |
| Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare | “My only love sprung from my only hate!” | love and hate |
| Paradise Lost, John Milton | “Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav’n.” | Hell and Heaven, power and obedience |
| Songs of Innocence and of Experience, William Blake | The gentle poem “The Lamb” is paired with the fierce poem “The Tyger.” | innocence and experience |
Look closely at Juliet’s line. She loves Romeo, but he belongs to the family her family hates. In six words, Shakespeare shows the conflict at the heart of the play.
Examples in film and photography
In The Godfather (1972), a peaceful baptism in a church is cut together with a series of violent killings. The holy ceremony and the crimes appear side by side, and the effect is chilling.
Photographers use the same idea. A child laughing in front of a ruined building, or a tiny boat on a huge ocean, tells a story without words.
Examples in speeches
Speakers use juxtaposition because it makes a line easy to remember. John F. Kennedy said in 1961: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” The two opposite ideas make the second one stronger.
Juxtaposition vs Similar Literary Devices
Learners often confuse juxtaposition with other devices. This table shows the differences.
| Device | What it is | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Juxtaposition | Two things placed near each other to show difference (or surprising similarity) | a palace beside a slum |
| Contrast | The difference itself, shown by any method | The sisters were very different. |
| Oxymoron | Two opposite words joined in one short phrase | deafening silence |
| Paradox | A statement that seems impossible but contains a truth | Less is more. |
| Antithesis | Opposite ideas in a balanced, parallel sentence | “To err is human; to forgive, divine.” |
| Foil | A character who shows another character’s qualities by contrast | Dr Watson and Sherlock Holmes |
The two-second test
Can you point to two separate things placed close together? That’s juxtaposition. Are the opposites squeezed into one tight phrase, like “cold fire”? That’s an oxymoron.
✋ Quick check: Juxtaposition or oxymoron? “a bittersweet goodbye”
Check your answer
Oxymoron. The opposites (bitter and sweet) are joined inside one word. They are not two separate things placed side by side.
How to Use Juxtaposition in Your Own Writing
You can use juxtaposition in essays, reviews, speeches and even short emails. Follow these five steps:
- Choose your main idea. Decide what you want the reader to notice, for example, how fast your city has changed.
- Find a clear opposite. Old and new, rich and poor, noise and silence.
- Place them close together. Use the same sentence, or two sentences in a row.
- Keep the grammar parallel. Matching structures make the contrast sharper: “Ten years ago, fields. Today, factories.”
- Let the contrast work. You do not always need to explain the effect. Often the reader will see it.
Sentence frames you can use
- “On one side of the street…; on the other…”
- “While A…, B…”
- “Where there was once…, there is now…”
- “The contrast between A and B could not be sharper.”
- “Placing A next to B shows that…”
Common Mistakes Learners Make
- Spelling: it is juxtaposition, not “juxtapostion” or “juxtaposistion.” Remember: juxta + position.
- Wrong preposition: say juxtapose A with B or A and B, not “juxtapose A to B.”
- Using it for any comparison: “I juxtaposed the prices of two phones” sounds strange. For everyday comparing, use compare.
- Mixing it up with oxymoron: “Cold fire” is an oxymoron. A cold house next to a warm fire is a juxtaposition.
- Repeating the word too often: in an essay, name the technique once, then explain the effect in plain words.
Practice: Test Your Understanding
Try these exercises before you check the answers.
Part A. Which sentences use juxtaposition? Write yes or no.
- The billionaire’s yacht was moored beside a small fishing boat with a torn sail.
- She bought a new phone because her old one was broken.
- Outside, children were laughing; inside, the old man sat alone in silence.
- The meeting started at nine and finished at ten.
- His gentle words were juxtaposed with his cold, angry eyes.
- It was a bittersweet goodbye.
Show answers for Part A
- Yes – wealth and modesty side by side.
- No – this is cause and effect.
- Yes – laughter and loneliness, outside and inside.
- No – just information about time.
- Yes – gentle words against cold eyes.
- No – “bittersweet” is an oxymoron, because the opposites are joined in one word.
Part B. Fill in the gap with with, of or against.
- The director juxtaposes the bright party scenes ___ the dark streets outside.
- The juxtaposition ___ old and new buildings makes the city interesting.
- Her calm face was juxtaposed ___ the noisy crowd behind her.
Show answers for Part B
- with
- of
- against (with is also correct)
Part C (writing). Write two sentences about your own town or city using juxtaposition. Try the frame “Where there was once…, there is now…”. You can check your sentences with our free AI Writing Feedback tool or practice in the Sentence Builder.
Key Takeaways
Remember
- Juxtaposition = placing two things side by side so the difference (or likeness) stands out.
- Say it: JUK-stuh-puh-ZISH-un. The verb is juxtapose.
- Common patterns: juxtapose A with B, the juxtaposition of A and B.
- It is wider than an oxymoron: it can work across a sentence, a scene or a whole story.
- In your own writing, keep the two parts close together and use parallel grammar.
To keep building your advanced English, explore our C1 Advanced English hub or continue with the C2 lesson on metaphor and simile.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is juxtaposition in simple words?
Juxtaposition means putting two things next to each other so people notice how different they are. For example, a tiny house standing between two tall towers makes both the house and the towers look more striking.
What is an example of juxtaposition?
A famous example is the opening of A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Two opposite ideas sit side by side in one sentence.
Is juxtaposition the same as contrast?
Not exactly. Contrast is the difference itself. Juxtaposition is the technique of placing two things close together, which is one common way to show contrast. You can also juxtapose things to show a surprising similarity.
What is the difference between juxtaposition and oxymoron?
An oxymoron joins two opposite words into one short phrase, such as “deafening silence.” Juxtaposition places two ideas, images or characters near each other, often across a sentence, a scene or a whole story.
How do you pronounce juxtaposition?
Say it in five beats: JUK-stuh-puh-ZISH-un, with the main stress on “ZISH.” In IPA it is /ˌdʒʌk.stə.pəˈzɪʃ.ən/. The verb is juxtapose: JUK-stuh-pohz.
Why do writers use juxtaposition?
Writers use it to make a point clearer, to show a character’s qualities, to create tension or humor, and to make readers think. When two very different things appear together, each one stands out more.
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