INTERJECTION

Interjections are words that show emotion. 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. Interjections are short exclamations like Oh!, Um or Ah! The table below shows some interjections with examples.

Interjection ah

Meaning expressing pleasure expressing realization

Example "Ah, that feels good." "Ah, now I understand." "Ah well, it can't be heped." "Ah! I've won!" "Alas, she's dead now."

expressing resignation expressing surprise alas expressing grief or pity

expressing pity dear expressing surprise

"Oh dear! Does it hurt?" "Dear me! That's a surprise!"

Interjection

Meaning

Example "It's hot today." "Eh?" "I said it's hot today." "What do you think of that, eh?" "Eh! Really?" "Let's go, eh?" "Lima is the capital of...er...Peru." "Hello John. How are you today?" "Hello! My car's gone!"

asking for repetition

eh

expressing enquiry expressing surprise inviting agreement

er

expressing hesitation

expressing greeting hello expressing surprise

Interjection

Meaning calling attention

Example "Hey! look at that!" "Hey! What a good idea!" "Hi! What's new?"

hey expressing surprise, joy etc hi expressing greeting expressing hesitation, doubt or disagreement expressing surprise expressing pain

hmm

"Hmm. I'm not so sure."

"Oh! You're here!" "Oh! I've got a toothache."

oh, o

expressing pleading

"Oh, please say 'yes'!"

Interjection ouch

Meaning expressing pain

Example "Ouch! That hurts!"

uh

expressing hesitation

"Uh...I don't know the answer to that."

uh-huh

expressing agreement

"Shall we go?" "Uh-huh."

um, umm

expressing hesitation expressing surprise

"85 divided by 5 is...um...17." "Well I never!" "Well, what did he say?"

well introducing a remark

QUIZ
1. An interjection is ___. A. An exclamation which shows thoughts or feelings B. A meaningless string of sounds C. The same as an adjective

2. Somebody has just stepped on your toe. Which interjection would best fit the situation? A. Yoo-hoo! B. Ouch! C. Eh!

3. You are vegetarian and you are offered a dish of raw meat. What do you think? A. Ugh! B. Hurrah! C. Yippee!

4. A: I scored 660 points at the TOEFL test! B: ___! That's amazing! A. Wow B. Aha C. Woe

5. ___! The spinach soup is out of this world! A. Mmm B. Yuk C. Uh