INTERJECTIONS

INTERJECTIONS

INTERJECTIONS VS EXCLAMATIONS

yes; oh; yeah; no; hey; hi; hello; hmm; ah; wow

"Why" as an interjection: Why, what’s the matter?

“Hi! What’s new?” (expressing greeting); “Hmm. I’m not so sure.” (expressing hesitation, doubt or disagreement); “Ouch! That hurts!” (expressing pain);

An interjection is a word added to a sentence to convey an emotion or a sentiment such as surprise, disgust, joy, excitement, or enthusiasm. For example:

Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!"

• No, go away.
(No is the interjection.)
• Indeed, I intend to leave as soon as possible.
(Indeed is the interjection.)

An interjection is not grammatically related to any other part of the sentence.

What Are Interjections?

Interjections are words used to express strong feeling or sudden emotion. They are included in a sentence (usually at the start) to express a sentiment such as surprise, disgust, joy, excitement, or enthusiasm.

yum, yum-yum!, yummy! (delicious!):
Yum! This ice-cream is absolutely delicious (¡mmm!: que bueno / rico!)
 Never fear! (do not worry)
Never fear! Superdog is here!

NO FEAR (No way!)
Me, take up ski jumping? No fear of that happening!


WELL

1. Used to introduce a remark, resume a narrative, or fill a pause during conversation.

2. Used to express surprise.

★ Well:
1. Used to indicate resumption of discourse or to introduce a remark: They are, well, not quite what you'd expect.

2. Used to express surprise: Well, what have we here? ("My word", "why". Also "Indeed" when used interjectionally to express irony, disbelief or surprise)

* People always ask me, 'Were you funny as a child?' Well, no, I was an accountant.

* Everybody's worried about stopping terrorism. Well, there's a really easy way: stop participating in it. Noam Chomsky

Examples of well

* If you want a thing done well, do it yourself. Napoleon Bonaparte

1. “How did everything go?” “It went well, thank you.”
2. She works well under pressure.
3. I did surprisingly well on my history test.
4. The company is doing well.
5. He has his own business and is doing well for himself.
6. You got a perfect score! Well done!
7. She sings and plays the guitar quite well.
8. The essay is well written.
9. He doesn't smoke or drink, and he eats well.
10. She doesn't treat her boyfriend very well.

Examples of interjections (shaded):

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

Yes and No

Introductory expressions such as yes, no, indeed, and well are also classed as interjections.

Examples:

• Indeed, this is not the first time the stand has collapsed.
• Yes, I do intend to cover the bet.
• I'm sure I don't know half the people who come to my house. Indeed, for all I hear, I shouldn't like to. (Oscar Wilde)
• Well, it's 1 a.m. Better go home and spend some quality time with the kids. (Homer Simpson)

Phew!

Some interjections are sounds.

Examples:

• Phew! I am not trying that again.
• Humph! I knew that last week. 
• Mmmm, my compliments to the chef.
• Ah! Don't say you agree with me. When people agree with me, I always feel that I must be wrong. (Oscar Wilde)

Here are some interjections with examples:

interjection	meaning	example
ah	expressing pleasure	“Ah, that feels good.”
	expressing realization	“Ah, now I understand.”
	expressing resignation	“Ah well, it can’t be helped.”
	expressing surprise	“Ah! I’ve won!”
alas	expressing grief or pity	“Alas, she’s dead now.”
dear	expressing pity	“Oh dear! Does it hurt?”
	expressing surprise	“Dear me! That’s a surprise!”
eh	asking for repetition	“It’s hot today.” “Eh?” “I said it’s hot today.”
	expressing enquiry	“What do you think of that, eh?”
	expressing surprise	“Eh! Really?”
	inviting agreement (or reply)	“Let’s go, eh?” (Pretty cold out, eh?)
er	expressing hesitation	“Lima is the capital of…er…Peru.”
hello, hullo	expressing greeting	“Hello John. How are you today?”
	expressing surprise	“Hello! My car’s gone!”
hey	calling attention	“Hey! look at that!”
	expressing surprise, joy etc	“Hey! What a good idea!”
hi	expressing greeting	“Hi! What’s new?”
hmm	expressing hesitation, doubt or disagreement	“Hmm. I’m not so sure.”
oh, o	expressing surprise	“Oh! You’re here!”
	expressing pain	“Oh! I’ve got a toothache.”
	expressing pleading	“Oh, please say ‘yes’!”
ouch	expressing pain	“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	“85 divided by 5 is…um…17.”
well	expressing surprise	“Well I never!”
	introducing a remark	“Well, what did he say?”

remark

“Well, what did he say?”

ah / ahh
used in order to show your surprise, anger, pain, happiness, agreement etc.
Ah! There you are!
aargh
used to show that you are angry, disappointed, annoyed etc.:
Aargh, this thing is so heavy!
abracadabra
a word you say when you do a magic trick, which is supposed to make it successful.
adios
goodbye
aha
used in order to show that you understand or realize something:
Aha! I knew you were trying to trick me!
ahem
a sound you make in your throat to attract someone’s attention when you want to speak to them, warn them etc.
ahoy
used by sailors to get someone’s attention or greet them.
aloha
used to say hello or goodbye in Hawaii.
aw shucks
humorous interjection;
used in a joking way to show that you feel shy or embarrassed.
bam
1- used to say that something happens quickly:

Just turn it on, and bam, you’re ready to go.

2- used to say that something has hit something else.
3- used to make a sound like a gun.
bang
used to make a sound like a gun or explosion:

Then suddenly, bang! The engine just exploded.

bingo
said when you have just done something successfully or to tell someone that they have given the right answer.

Bingo! That’s the one I’ve been looking for.

bon appetit
said to someone before they start eating a meal, to tell them you hope they enjoy their food.
boo

1. A word you shout suddenly to someone as a joke, in order to frighten them.
2. Said loudly to show that you do not like a person, performance, idea etc.
3. Not say boo : spoken to not say anything at all in a situation when most people are talking.

He got to the party at eight, but didn’t say boo all evening.
boy

1.also oh boy : used when you are excited or pleased about something.

Boy, that chicken was good!

2. oh boy : used when you are slightly annoyed or disappointed about something:

Oh boy! My computer crashed again.

bravo
said to show your approval when someone, especially a performer, has done something very well.
brother
used to express annoyance or surprise.
Oh, brother – why is this happening now?
brr
said when you are cold.
bye
also bye-bye spoken goodbye.
cheers
used when you lift a glass of alcohol before drinking it, to say that you hope the people you are drinking with will be happy and have good health.
chop-chop
an expression used when you want someone to hurry.
ciao
used to say goodbye.
damnation
used to show that you are very angry or annoyed.
dear
Oh dear : said when you are surprised, annoyed, or upset:
Oh dear, I can’t find it.
ditto
used to say that you have exactly the same opinion as someone else about something, or that something is also true for you:
“I find his classes really boring.” “Ditto.”
d’oh
humorous , said when you have just realized that you did something stupid.
done
said in order to accept a deal that someone offers you :
“How about I give you $25 for it?” “Done!”
duh
also no duh
used to say that what someone else has just said or asked is stupid or unnecessary because it is very easy to understand:
“You mean I can’t park there?” “Duh, that’s what the big sign says.”
eek
an expression of sudden fear and surprise :
Eek! A mouse!
er
a sound you make when you pause to correct something you have just said, or when you do not know exactly what to say:
We’ll never forgive – er, forget – her accomplishments.
eureka
often humorous, used to show how happy you are that you have discovered the answer to a problem, found something etc.
ow
used to express sudden pain.
Ow! That hurt!
oi (also oy) (BrE, informal)
used to attract somebody’s attention, especially in an angry way:
Oi, you! What do you think you’re doing?
Look out (or Watch out)
used to warn somebody to be careful, especially when there is danger.
Look out! There’s a car coming.