The phrase "The car coughed and sputtered before finally starting" primarily uses personification, as it attributes human-like qualities (coughing and sputtering) to an inanimate object (the car).
If you're looking for examples of the other literary devices you mentioned:
-
Verbal Irony: This occurs when someone says one thing but means another, often the opposite. For example, if a person says, "Oh, great! Another delay!" while clearly being frustrated, that would be verbal irony.
-
Metaphor: A metaphor is a direct comparison between two unrelated things. For instance, saying "Time is a thief" suggests that time steals moments from our lives without using "like" or "as."
-
Pun: A pun involves a play on words that exploits multiple meanings for a humorous effect. For example, "I used to be a baker, but I couldn't make enough dough."
If you need further clarification or examples of any of these devices, let me know!