What are Interjections and Examples: Definition, Usage, Exercise

What are interjections and examples: Interjections are unique words or phrases that express strong emotions or sudden reactions. They serve as a way to convey feelings such as surprise, joy, anger, or excitement without being part of the grammatical structure of a sentence. Common examples are wow, hey, awww, etc. As one of the eight parts of speech, interjections can stand alone or be incorporated into sentences, often adding a layer of expressiveness to communication. Keep reading this blog post to find the definition of interjections and their examples. We will also explore types, usage, and exercises of interjection in Grammar.

What are Interjections and Examples in Grammar?

What is the definition of interjection? An interjection is a word or phrase that is a part of the speech but at the same time, it is grammatically independent from the words surrounding it. It usually expresses a feeling rather than the meaning of the word. 

Interjections are commonly used in everyday speech as well as informal writing. Some of the most common interjections are well and indeed which are accepted in a formal conversation. It is suggested that one must avoid interjections in formal writing. 

Here is an example of interjection and how it can be used:

• Wow! – Indicates amazement.
• Oh! – Can express realisation or surprise.
• Gosh! – A mild expression of surprise.

This is not it. Interjections are of various types. Let us understand what are interjections and examples through types and examples of interjection in the subsequent sections.

What are Different Types of Interjections with Examples

Now that we are familiar with what are different types of interjections with examples, it is time to learn different types of interjections. Here are some of the main types of interjections based on the feeling they convey along with examples:

1. Primary Interjections

These are standalone words that cannot be classified as any other part of speech.

Examples: Wow! Alas!

2. Secondary Interjections

These are words from other parts of speech (like nouns or adjectives) used as interjections.

Examples: Goodness! Indeed!

3. Mild Interjections

These express mild feelings and are often set off by commas.

Examples: Oh, that’s interesting. Well, it was a good day.

4. Strong Interjections 

These convey strong emotions and are typically followed by exclamation marks.

Examples: Yay! Ouch! Bingo!

5. Volatile Interjections

Used to give commands or make requests.

Examples: Shh! Stop!

6. Emotive Interjections

Express emotions or reactions to situations.

Examples: Ugh! Ew! Oh no!

7. Cognitive Interjections

Indicate thought processes or reflections.

Examples: Um… Well…

8. Discourse Marker Interjections

Signal the speaker’s attitude or change in conversation.

Examples: Anyway, By the way…

9. Fillers

Used to fill pauses in conversation, often indicating hesitation.

Examples: Uh, Er…

10. Parenthetical Interjections

Inserted comments within sentences for clarification or emphasis.

Examples: I mean, wow, that was amazing!

99+ Examples of Interjections

In this section, we will understand the definition of interjections with the help of examples along with their purposes in Grammar.

Here is a table containing 100 examples of interjections along with their purposes:

Interjection	Purpose
Ah	To express realisation or surprise
Alas	To express sadness or pity
Aha	To express discovery or understanding
Ahem	To get attention or clear the throat
Boo	To express disapproval or to scare
Bravo	To express approval or admiration
Dear	To express pity or surprise
Eh	To ask for repetition or express doubt
Eww	To express disgust

Gosh	To express surprise
Gah	To express frustration
Hooray	To express joy or celebration
Huh	To express confusion
Hey	To call attention
Hurrah	To celebrate or show joy
Oh	To express pain, surprise, or realisation
Ouch	To express pain
Phew	To express relief
Ugh	To express annoyance or disgust

Wow	To express amazement
Yay	To celebrate or show excitement
Whoops	To acknowledge a mistake
Yikes	To express alarm or concern
Yippee	To express joy
Oops	To acknowledge a minor mistake
Huh	Indicates confusion
Noo	Expresses disappointment
Cool	Expresses approval or admiration
Sweet	Expresses pleasure or approval

Uh	Indicates hesitation
Er	Indicates hesitation
Well	Used to introduce a statement
So	Indicates continuation of thought
Right	Indicates agreement
My God	Expresses surprise or shock
Goodness	Expresses surprise or concern
Yikes	Expresses alarm
Whoa	Indicates surprise or caution
Ooh	Expresses pleasure or admiration

Aww	Expresses sympathy or affection
Huzzah	Used to celebrate
Blimey	Expresses surprise (British)
Crikey	Expresses surprise (British)
Zing	Expresses excitement
Awwww	Expresses endearment
Pfft	Indicates dismissal
Meh	Indicates indifference
Hooray	Celebratory expression
Whoopee	Expression of joy

Brrr	Indicates coldness
Yowza	Expression of excitement
Eek	Expression of fear
Fiddlesticks	Expression of annoyance
Rats	Expression of disappointment
Oof	Expression of discomfort
Shh	Request for silence
Tsk tsk	Indication of disapproval
Aye	Agreement (especially in nautical contexts)
No way	Expression of disbelief
Indeed	Affirmation

How to Use Interjections in Sentences?

After exploring what are interjections and examples, it is essential to understand the usage of interjections. Using interjections in sentences adds emotional depth and spontaneity to communication. Here are key guidelines on how to effectively incorporate interjections into your writing and speech:

At the Beginning of a Sentence

When an interjection starts a sentence, it is typically followed by a comma if the sentence continues.

• Example: Wow, that was an amazing performance!

As a Complete Sentence

Interjections can stand alone as complete sentences, often ending with an exclamation mark or period.

• Example: Oops! I spilled my drink.

In the Middle of a Sentence

When placed in the middle of a sentence, interjections should be enclosed with commas.

• Example: The movie, well, was not as good as I expected.

Standing Alone in Conversation

Interjections can also be used independently in casual conversation.

• Example: Hey! or Yikes!

Expressing Emotion or Reaction

Interjections are often used to convey strong emotions such as surprise, joy, or frustration.

• Examples:
  • Yay! We won the match!
  • Oh no, I forgot my wallet at home.

Avoiding Overuse in Formal Writing

While interjections can enhance informal communication, they should be used sparingly in formal writing to maintain clarity and professionalism.

• Formal Example: The presentation was informative.
• Informal Example: Wow, the presentation was super informative!

Punctuation Rules

• If an interjection is mild and at the end of a sentence, it may be preceded by a comma.
• Strong interjections typically end with an exclamation mark.

When to Use Interjections in Sentences?

In addition to knowing the definition of interjections, what are interjections and examples, and usage of interjections, we must also focus on understanding when to use these parts of speech in sentences. 

Here’s a concise guide on when to use interjections effectively:

To Express Strong Emotions

Interjections are ideal for conveying strong feelings such as excitement, surprise, joy, or frustration.

Example: Wow! That was an incredible performance!

At the Beginning of a Sentence

When placed at the start, interjections should be followed by a comma if the sentence continues.

Example: Oh, I didn’t see that coming.

As a Complete Sentence

Interjections can stand alone as sentences, typically ending with an exclamation mark or period.

Example: Oops! I dropped my drink.

In the Middle of a Sentence

When used in the middle of a sentence, interjections should be enclosed with commas.

Example: The movie, well, was not as good as I expected.

To Grab Attention

Interjections can be used to break up thoughts or hold someone’s attention momentarily.

Example: Um, can we discuss this later?

Difference Between Interjections and Conjunctions

Knowledge of definition of interjections and their usage and examples will help you distinguish interjections with conjunctions.

Here is the key difference between interjections and conjunctions for a better understanding.

Aspect	Interjections	Conjunctions
Definition	Words or phrases that express strong emotions or reactions.	Words that connect words, phrases, clauses, or sentences.
Function	To convey feelings such as surprise, joy, or frustration.	To join elements in a sentence and show relationships.
Grammatical Rule	Stand-alone words that do not require a subject or verb.	Not stand alone; they require other words to form a complete thought.
Positions in Sentence	Often placed at the beginning or end of a sentence.	Typically found in the middle of sentences to connect ideas.
Punctuation	Usually followed by an exclamation mark or comma.	Generally does not require special punctuation unless starting a clause.
Examples	Wow! Oh no! Yay! Ouch!	And, but, or, because, although
Usage Context	Common in informal speech and writing to express emotions.	Used in both formal and informal contexts to connect ideas.

Test Your Understanding of Interjections

Testing your understanding of interjections can be a fun and engaging way to reinforce your knowledge! Below are some questions designed to help you assess your grasp of interjections.

Q1. Which of the following is an example of an interjection?

A) And

B) Wow

C) Because

D) Although

Q2. What punctuation mark typically follows a strong interjection?

A) Period

B) Comma

C) Exclamation mark

D) Semicolon

Q3. Identify the interjection in the following sentence: “Oh, I didn’t see you there!”

A) I

B) Didn’t

C) Oh

D) There

Q4. Which sentence correctly uses an interjection?

A) She is going to the store, and I will join her.

B) Hooray! We finished the project on time.

C) He likes to read books because they are interesting.

D) Although it was raining, we went for a walk.

Answers:

1. B) Wow
2. C) Exclamation mark
3. C) Oh
4. B) Hooray! We finished the project on time.

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