Allusion vs. Elusion vs. Illusion (Grammar Rules)
Let’s look at the differences between allusion, elusion, and illusion with Grammar Rules from the Writer’s Digest editors, including a few examples of correct usages.
This week's grammar rules post looks at three words that sound similar but have different meanings: allusion, elusion, and illusion. One word refers to references (especially in literature), while the others are related to avoidance and deception.
So let's look at the differences between allusion, elusion, and illusion and when to use each.
Allusion vs. Elusion vs. Illusion
Allusion is a noun that refers to an implied or indirect reference to something else, especially in terms of literature. For instance, referring to something as a person's kryptonite is an allusion to Superman comics and means someone's weakness.
Elusion, on the other hand, is a noun that refers to the act of eluding, which itself refers to avoidance. If people elude their pursuers, they avoid them. If an idea eludes me, it avoids my ability to remember and/or share it.
Finally, illusion is a noun that refers to the act of deception in which people are made to think one reality exists when it does not. Some magicians make a good living off their skills of illusion. Also, movies are a form of illusion by capturing still images and playing back as continuous movement.
Make sense?
Here are a few examples of allusion, elusion, and illusion:
Correct: Referring to someone's "golden ticket" is an allusion to Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Incorrect: Referring to someone's "golden ticket" is an elusion to Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Incorrect: Referring to someone's "golden ticket" is an illusion to Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Correct: Joey used his exceptional skills of elusion to win multiple games of tag.
Incorrect: Joey used his exceptional skills of allusion to win multiple games of tag.
Incorrect: Joey used his exceptional skills of illusion to win multiple games of tag.
Correct: People gasped when Trisha sawed her friend in half, but it was merely an illusion.
Incorrect: People gasped when Trisha sawed her friend in half, but it was merely an allusion.
Incorrect: People gasped when Trisha sawed her friend in half, but it was merely an elusion.
It's perfectly natural for writers to use allusions to create the illusion of complexity in literature, but some writers think overuse of this literary trick risks the elusion of fresh ideas. As for me, I can certainly appreciate allusions, illusions, and elusions in certain situations.
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No matter what type of writing you do, mastering the fundamentals of grammar and mechanics is an important first step to having a successful writing career.
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Editor of Writer's Digest, which includes managing the content on WritersDigest.com and programming virtual conferences. He's the author of 40 Plot Twist Prompts for Writers: Writing Ideas for Bending Stories in New Directions, The Complete Guide of Poetic Forms: 100+ Poetic Form Definitions and Examples for Poets, Poem-a-Day: 365 Poetry Writing Prompts for a Year of Poeming, and more. Also, he's the editor of Writer's Market, Poet's Market, and Guide to Literary Agents. Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
