How many kinds of irony are usually known? Define.

Irony is found in everyday conversation as well as in writing. Irony always involves ‘discrepancy’ - meaning that something doesn't quite fit - and it usually takes two forms situational and verbal.

(I) Situational irony occurs when the discrepancy lies in the situation itself. You

expect something but something else happens. Or a situation calls for an expected response

but something unexpected happens instead e.g. there is a house on fire and you expect the

fire fighter to aim a water hose / pipe at the fire, but instead he aims a petrol pipe / hose.

That would be very ironical.

(II) Verbal irony occurs when there is discrepancy between what is said and

what is meant e.g. usually the exact opposite, or a near opposite of what is meant: an eager

cricket player looks out of the window and sees that it is raining. “Oh, great!” he says,

meaning exactly the opposite. Another example to illustrate this: After seeing a terrible

performance by an actor in a movie someone might say “Now that’s an actor who is sure to

win the Best Actor Award for this year!” – Both examples illustrate verbal irony.