Interjections

Interjections are words used to express strong feeling or sudden emotion. They are included in a sentence (usually at the start) to express a sentiment such as surprise, disgust, joy, excitement, or enthusiasm.

An interjection is not grammatically related to any other part of the sentence.

Examples:

Hey! Get off that floor! Oh! that is a surprise. Good! Now we can move on. Jeepers, that was close. Yes and No.

Introductory expressions such as yes, no, indeed, and well are also classed as interjections.

• Indeed, this is not the first time the stand has collapsed.
• Yes, I do intend to cover the bet.
• Well, it's 1 a.m. Better go home and spend some quality time with the kids.
• Some interjections are sounds.

Examples:

Phew! I am not trying that again. Humph! I knew that last week. Mmmm, my compliments to the chef. Ah! Don't say you agree with me.

1.0Punctuation with Interjections

An interjection can be followed by either a comma or an exclamation mark. A comma is used for mild interjection, while an exclamation mark is used for a more abrupt display of surprise, emotion, or deep feeling.

Examples:

Hurry! The bus is about to leave! Jeepers! That is the largest beetle I have ever seen. No, I'm not going tomorrow night. Well, the larva moves more quickly than you would expect.

2.0Position of Interjections

Interjections do not always have to come at the beginning of a sentence either. For example, if you said "So, you don't like spinach too much, huh?" "Huh" would be the interjection at the end of that sentence, designed to convey the emotion or confusion (or perhaps sarcasm or dismay at the dislike of spinach).

Interjections can even be found right in the middle of a sentence. Example: "When I think about the number of interjections in English, good gracious, I don't think I could ever list them all." In this case, "good gracious" is the interjection, designed to convey your amazement at the number of interjections, or you dismay at the prospect of listing them all.

3.0List of Interjections

The list of interjections used in English is extremely long, just as the list of adjectives or adverb would be. Almost any word or phrase can be used as an interjection, if it is inserted into a sentence to convey an emotion. For example, if you hurt yourself, you might say "Damn! That hurts!" Damm would be the interjection. You could, however, also say "Ouch! That hurts!" Or "Damm! That hurts." Or "Gee! That hurts!" or..... well, as you can see could go on and on.

Interjections do the following:

• Express a feeling - wow, oops, damm, jeez, oh: Oops, I'm sorry. That was my mistake. Oh, I didn't know that.
• Say yes or no - yes, no, nope: Yes, I will do it! No, I am not going to go there. Nope, That's not what I want.
• Call attention - yo, hey: Yo, will you throw the ball back? Hey, I just wanted to talk to you about the previous incident.
• Indicate a pause - well, um, hmm: Well, what I meant was nothing like that. Um, here is our proposal. Hmm , you really need to be on a diet.

4.0Summary

• Interjections are rarely used in academic or formal writing, but are common in fiction or artistic writing.
• Interjections do not serve a formal role in a sentence, other than to your feelings. Examples: Ouch! That hurts. Well, I need a break. Wow! What a beautiful dress!
• When you are expressing a strong emotion, use an exclamation mark (!). A comma (,) can be used for a weaker emotion.

• Interjection is a word that expresses deep or sudden emotion or feeling.
• Interjections are usually followed by an exclamation mark.
• Interjections could be sounds, actual words, or related to words, or could be made up of more than one word or sound.
• Common interjections: Wow! Oh! Hi! Ouch! Eww! Great! Yahoo! Huh! Emotion of surprise - Wow! That's amazing! Emotion of sorrow - Oh! It's my fault. Emotion of pain - Ouch! That hurts! Emotion of disliking - Eww! I don't like it!
• Nouns used as Interjections Congratulations! You did it! Hello! I'm glad to see you! Man! That was awesome!
• Adjectives used as interjections Great! That's correct! Nice! You did well! Good! Let's do it again! Awesome! It was spectacular! Yummy! I love your cooking!