What is an Interjection?
An interjection is a word or phrase used to express a sudden feeling or strong emotion. They are the "exclamation" words of our language, adding personality and voice to our writing and speech.
The Role of Interjections
Unlike other parts of speech, interjections are not grammatically connected to the rest of the sentence. You can remove them, and the sentence will still make sense. Their main job is to show emotion.
Example: "Wow! That car is fast."
Without the interjection: "That car is fast." (The sentence is still correct, but the emotion is gone.)
Primary Interjections
These are words used only as interjections.
These are single words that exist solely to express an emotion and have no other grammatical purpose. Examples include "Wow," "Ouch," "Yikes," and "Alas."
Secondary Interjections
Words from other categories used as exclamations.
These are nouns, adjectives, or adverbs that can be used as an interjection in a certain context. Examples include "Awesome!," "Goodness!," and "Well."
Common Interjections by Emotion
Different interjections are used to express different feelings.
| Emotion | Examples | Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Joy / Celebration | Hooray!, Wow!, Yay!, Yippee! | Hooray! We won the game. |
| Surprise / Amazement | Oh!, Gosh!, Whoa!, Eek! | Whoa! Look at the size of that building. |
| Pain / Discomfort | Ouch!, Ow!, Yikes! | Ouch! I just stubbed my toe. |
| Sorrow / Regret | Alas!, Oh dear! | Alas! The hero did not survive. |
| Disapproval / Disgust | Ugh!, Yuck!, Ew! | Ugh! I have to do homework all night. |
Secondary Interjections in Conversation
These words add tone and manage the flow of a conversation.
| Interjection | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Well | Used to introduce a remark, show hesitation, or express surprise. | Well, I think we should start now. |
| Oh | Can express surprise, realization, or acknowledgement. | Oh, now I understand the problem. |
| Indeed | Used to add emphasis to a statement of agreement or truth. | It was, indeed, a very impressive performance. |
| Actually | Used to emphasize that something is a fact or to correct someone. | Actually, the meeting is on Wednesday, not Tuesday. |
| Awesome | A noun or adjective used to express admiration. | Awesome! You finished the project ahead of schedule. |
| Goodness | A noun used to express surprise or alarm. | Goodness! You scared me. |
Punctuation Tip
- Strong: Ouch! That really hurt.
- Mild: Oh, I see your point now.
Key Takeaways
- Interjections are short exclamations used to express emotion.
- They are not grammatically connected to the rest of the sentence.
- Use an exclamation mark (!) for strong emotion and a comma (,) for milder feelings.
- Overusing interjections in formal writing can seem unprofessional. They are best suited for dialogue and informal communication.
Exercises and Worksheets
Ready to practice? Test your knowledge with these resources.