INTERJECTION
Do you know what part of speech these words are? If you said interjections you would be correct. An interjection shows strong emotion or surprise. Examples of interjections used in sentences: Shh, we are in the library! Or Oh, no! I forgot my homework. It is important to notice that interjections usually end with an exclamation point or a comma.
In grammar, an interjection or exclamation is a word used to express an emotion or sentiment on the part of the speaker (although most interjections have clear definitions). Filled pauses such as uh, er, um are also considered interjections. Interjections are typically placed at the beginning of a sentence.
An interjection is sometimes expressed as a single word or non-sentence phrase, followed by a punctuation mark. The isolated usage of an interjection does not represent a complete sentence in conventional English writing. Thus, in formal writing, the interjection will be incorporated into a larger sentence clause. It also can be a reply to a question or statement.
Interjection is a big name for a little word. Interjections are short exclamations like Oh, Um or Ah! They have no real grammatical value but we use them quite often, usually more in speaking than in writing. When interjections are inserted into a sentence, they have no grammatical connection to the sentence. An interjection is sometimes followed by an exclamation mark (!) when written.
A part of speech that can stand alone to express emotion or a reaction. Although an interjection can form a complete sentence (that is, expressing a thought without need of a subject and verb), one can often also be inserted within a sentence, usually parenthetically or separated by commas from the rest of the sentence. In written Spanish and English, an interjection frequently is used with exclamation marks.
Interjections are much more common in speech and informal writing than they are in formal writing. Many interjections, such as the English "oh" and the Spanish caray, have meanings that can vary widely depending on the context and the intonation.
Examples:
Common English words that are usually used as interjections include "ouch," "wow," "ugh," "oops" and "splat." Their approximate Spanish equivalents include ay, caramba, puf, uy and plaf (other translations are possible). Many other words that are usually other parts of speech are also frequently used as interjections. An example of an interjection within a sentence is the "ouch" (or ay) in "ouch, that hurts".
Interjections are words or phrases used to exclaim or protest or command. They sometimes stand by themselves, but they are often contained within larger structures.
v Wow! I won the lottery!
v Oh, I don't know about that.
v I don't know what the heck you're talking about.
v No, you shouldn't have done that.
Inappropriate Interjections
Inappropriate interjections are not idiomatically originating interjections, but nouns, verbs or adverbs, are occasionally used as interjections, for its usual meaning:
Help! Snails! Devil! Thunder and lightning! Phelan!
Interjections of Expression
Interjections of expression - which are common phrases, which are also used as interjections: My mother! God, Alas! Interjections have some peculiarities in its idiomatic use. Generally used in isolation as an independent intentional phrase, but when incorporated into a sentence it is common that appear at the top: Alas, what pain!
When inserted in a sentence is strictly out of sequence, like a parenthesis cried the girl, alas, how his suffered. Some take the form of language or onomatopoeic expressions (that imitate sounds): Yuck, Chit! Plash! Paf! Pif!
Some are attached to proper names often in the form of the vocative or expressions that are used to draw or attract attention: Hey Ernesto!
Also attached to different kinds of particles in various exclamatory expressions: Woe to him who dares to contradict him! Cool to be approached!
Interjections of expression - which are common phrases, which are also used as interjections: My mother! God, Alas! Interjections have some peculiarities in its idiomatic use. Generally used in isolation as an independent intentional phrase, but when incorporated into a sentence it is common that appear at the top: Alas, what pain!
When inserted in a sentence is strictly out of sequence, like a parenthesis cried the girl, alas, how his suffered. Some take the form of language or onomatopoeic expressions (that imitate sounds): Yuck, Chit! Plash! Paf! Pif!
Some are attached to proper names often in the form of the vocative or expressions that are used to draw or attract attention: Hey Ernesto!
Also attached to different kinds of particles in various exclamatory expressions: Woe to him who dares to contradict him! Cool to be approached!
Exercises
Underline the Interjections.
1. Hey! You left me behind.
2. Ouch! That soup is hot.
3. Oops! The plate broke.
4. Well, I guess I’ll go.
5. Hurray! We won the game.
6. Wow! John hit the ball far.
7. Hurry! I saw something scary in the cave.
8. Alas! I cannot go with you.
9. Shh! I heard something.
10. Ah, I see what you mean.
2. Ouch! That soup is hot.
3. Oops! The plate broke.
4. Well, I guess I’ll go.
5. Hurray! We won the game.
6. Wow! John hit the ball far.
7. Hurry! I saw something scary in the cave.
8. Alas! I cannot go with you.
9. Shh! I heard something.
10. Ah, I see what you mean.
