Interjections

Interjections

Interjections

All words in the English language can be classified as one of the eight different parts of speech.

Understanding the different parts of speech is important in understanding how words can and should be
joined together to make sentences that are both grammatically correct and readable. An understanding
of the parts of speech is also important for knowing how to correctly punctuate sentences.

The eight parts of speech are:

• Nouns
• Pronouns
• Verbs
• Adjectives
• Adverbs
• Conjunctions
• Prepositions

• Interjections.

Interjections

Interjections are words that express a burst of emotion. They are used between sentences or clauses to
express feelings.

An interjection is a word added to a sentence to convey emotion and is not grammatically related to any
other part of the sentence. Interjections can also serve as a single word sentence (eg: Wow!).

There is no strict rule about where to place interjections in a sentence. However, they often appear at
the beginning or the end of a phrase that describes what caused your sudden emotion.

Interjections are rarely used in academic writing and their use should be avoided in most essays.

Examples of Interjections

Hey! Get off that floor!
Oh, that is a surprise.
Good! Now we can move on.
Jeepers, that was close

What punctuation follows an interjection?

Recognising an interjection will help you to choose the punctuation that follows it.

If your interjection is not a question (and most aren't), you have a choice.

You can use a comma, a full stop or an exclamation mark. Commas and full stops are used for mild
interjections, while exclamation marks are used for stronger expressions of emotion.

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Interjections

Often, an interjection followed by an exclamation mark will be followed by an exclamatory sentence
(i.e., one with an exclamation mark).

• Jeepers! You scared the life out of me!
• Crikey! Do you think before you speak?

The choice between a comma and a full stop depends on the flow of the text. In other words, choose
what looks good to you. If your interjection is a question, you must use a question mark.

Examples of Interjection Use

Interjection Use

Ugh Ugh! I can’t believe how mouldy the fridge is.
Wow Wow, nice work! I’m impressed.
Nice A lazy morning on a Tuesday, nice!
Cool Cool! I didn’t know you could open a beer with your teeth.
Huh Huh! I didn’t know your mum was a pilot, that’s interesting
So So…what did you want to speak to me about?
Ouch Ouch! I’m not sure you should have been so honest.
Oh my Did you see how much that man looked like his dog? Oh my
Sweet Sweet! I’ll meet you at the park tomorrow at two.
Awesome Awesome! We can sit next to each other on the plane!
Hmm Hmm, I’m not sure! I think I will be able to finish that by Friday
Uh oh Uh oh. The shower’s broken again.
Ahh Ahh, I get it now. I thought you meant something else
Sure Sure, I can book the tickets tonight if you want.
Hey Hey! How are you doing? We haven’t spoken in a while.
Oh dear Oh dear, I think I should go to bed a bit earlier tonight.
Oh no Oh no. We’re going to have to start again from the beginning
Alright. Alright! I see what you mean, there’s no need to be rude.
Really Really? You thought the earth was flat until last year?

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