Interjections | Definition, Meanings, and Examples

In this lesson, we will learn about interjections, an important part of speech in the English language. By understanding interjections, you will be able to recognize these expressions in everyday conversations and use them to make your speech more natural and expressive.

What are Interjections?

Interjections are words or short phrases that express strong emotions, reactions, or feelings.

They can show excitement, surprise, anger, or other emotions. Often, they stand alone or are used at the beginning of a sentence to convey these emotions quickly and clearly.

Types of Interjections

Amazement and Laughter

Interjections can express amazement or laughter in reaction to something unexpected or funny.

For example:

• Wow! That movie was incredible!
• Haha! You made me laugh so hard.
• Oh my! That’s unbelievable!

Greetings and Farewells

These interjections are used to say hello or goodbye in a friendly manner.

For example:

• Hello! How are you today?
• Goodbye! See you later.
• Hi! It’s nice to meet you.

Surprise and Agreement

Interjections can show surprise or agreement when reacting to a statement.

For example:

• Oh! I didn’t expect that.
• Yes! That’s exactly what I meant.
• Wow! You’re right about that.

Displeasure and Frustration

These interjections are used when you’re upset or frustrated.

For example:

• Ugh! I can’t believe I forgot it.
• Ouch! That really hurt.
• Argh! This is so frustrating.

Joy and Celebration

Interjections for celebrating or expressing happiness.

For example:

• Yay! We won the game!
• Hooray! The holidays are finally here.
• Woohoo! I passed my exam!

Sorrow and Regret

These interjections express sadness or regret.

For example:

• Oh no! I lost my keys.
• Alas! The opportunity is gone.
• Sigh! I wish things had been different.

Attention and Inquiry

Used to get someone’s attention or ask for more information.

For example:

• Hey! Are you listening to me?
• Hmm? What did you say?
• Psst! I have something to tell you.

Example Sentences of Interjections:

Here are the commonly used example sentences of interjections:

• Wow, that’s amazing!
• Oh, I forgot my umbrella.
• Yay, we won the game!
• Hey, how’s it going?
• Ugh, I can’t believe I forgot.
• Bravo, what a performance!

Common Interjection Words

Here’s the list of commonly used interjection words in everyday conversation to express strong emotions, reactions, or feelings.

• Oh!
• Wow!
• Oops!
• Yay!
• Hey!
• Alas!
• Aha!
• Hooray!
• Ugh!
• Bravo!
• Well…
• Gee!
• Gosh!
• Phew!
• Hurray!
• Huh!
• Yikes!
• Yesss!
• Aha!
• Cheers!
• Eureka!
• Uh-oh!
• Hm…
• Aww!
• Hush!
• Yippee!
• Hmm…
• Shh!
• Whew!
• Ooh!
• Ta-da!
• Umm…
• Aargh!
• Eww!
• Ohoo!
• Darn!
• Sigh!
• Huh?
• Mmm…
• No way!
• Well…
• Yeah!
• Nope!
• Ouch!
• Haha!
• Ouch!
• So?
• Yo!
• Shoo!
• Boohoo!
• Hush!
• Oops!
• Ugh!
• Tsk-tsk!
• Duh!
• Grr!
• Yuck!
• Hurrah!
• Ta-ta
• Oh shit!

FAQs about Interjections

1. What is an interjection?
   An interjection is a word or short phrase that shows strong emotion or feeling, like “Wow!” or “Ouch!”

2. Where are interjections used in sentences?
   Interjections are usually placed at the beginning of a sentence, but they can also stand alone.

3. Do interjections have any grammatical role in a sentence?
   No, interjections don’t affect the grammar of a sentence. They only express emotion.

4. Can interjections be used in formal writing?
   Interjections are more common in casual speech and writing but are sometimes used in informal or creative writing to show emotions.

5. Are interjections always one word?
   Not always. Some interjections, like “Oh no!” or “Goodbye!” are short phrases.

6. Do interjections need punctuation?
   Yes, interjections are often followed by an exclamation mark or a comma to show strong emotion or mild reaction.

7. Can interjections express different emotions?
   Yes, interjections can express a range of emotions like happiness, sadness, surprise, frustration, or joy.

8. Do interjections have a specific tense or form?
   No, interjections don’t have tense or form like verbs. They stay the same.

9. Can interjections be used in the middle of a sentence?
   Yes, though it’s less common. For example, “He, wow, won the race!”

10. Are interjections necessary in every sentence?
    No, interjections are only used when you want to express an emotion or reaction.

Practice Exercise Questions

1. Identify the interjection:

Wow! You did an amazing job.

• • Answer: Wow!

2. Choose the correct interjection for happiness:

1. Ouch!
2. Yay!

• • Answer: b) Yay!

3. Which interjection shows surprise?

1. Oh no!
2. Hello!

• • Answer: a) Oh no!

4. Identify the interjection in this sentence:

Hey! I was looking for you.

• • Answer: Hey!

5. What interjection would you use when you’re in pain?

1. Ouch!
2. Hooray!

• • Answer: a) Ouch!

6. Which interjection would be used to greet someone?

1. Hi!
2. Alas!

• • Answer: a) Hi!

7. Choose the interjection that shows frustration:

1. Ugh!
2. Woohoo!

• • Answer: a) Ugh!

8. Identify the interjection in this sentence:

Oh! I didn’t see you there.

• • Answer: Oh!

9. Which interjection is used to express agreement?

1. Yes!
2. Oops!

• • Answer: a) Yes!

10. What interjection would you use to say goodbye?

1. Goodbye!
2. Wow!

• Answer: a) Goodbye!

By practicing these questions, you’ll improve your understanding of interjections and how to use them in everyday speech!

Read More

• Basic Sentence Structure
• Types of Adverbs
• Types of Verbs