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Mastering Interjections with Cool

Interjection Examples
Last updated on May 15, 2023 by 7ESL

What is an interjection? If you are familiar with the English language, or just languages in
general, you may have heard about interjections. Interjections are parts of speech that
may be written or spoken and can have multiple uses — depending on the context,
situations, and the intent of the users involved. But what exactly are interjections and how
do you use them? This article will explore the definition of interjections, when to use them,
and how they compare to exclamations, emoticons, emojis, and onomatopoeia.

Table of Contents

• What Is An Interjection?
• Interjection Definition

• Types of Interjections

• Primary and Secondary Interjections

• Interjection Examples and Emotions

• Interjection Examples for Joy

• Interjection Examples for Surprise

• Interjection Examples for Pain

• Interjection Examples for Agreement

• Interjection Examples for Confusion

• Interjection Examples for Emphasis

• Interjection Examples in Sentences

• Common Interjections List

• Examples of Interjections in Sentences

• Placement of Interjections

• More Examples of Interjections in Sentences

• List of Interjections
 • Expressing Surprise, Amazement, or Joy

What Is An Interjection?

Interjection Definition

An interjection is a word or short expression that normally lacks a grammatical connection

to larger patterns of speech. It is expressed as an utterance that stands by itself, one that
can be emotional, directive, or exclamatory in nature.

An interjection is an exclamatory word or phrase used to express a weak, mild, or strong

feeling or emotion. It is a part of speech in English grammar.

Interjections are normally defined by their short duration (usually single or double-word
phrases) and reactive, or spontaneous, use. Examples include exclamatory phrases (“Oh!”,
or “Ooh!”), swear words (“Damn!”, or “Dang!”), hesitation markers (“um”, or “er”), and
responsive particles (“Yes!”, or “Ok”).

Additional interjections can include greetings (“Hey!” or “Hi there”), expressions of dismay
(“Oh no!”, or “Aw, man”), and imperative/directive phrases (“Look!”, or “Do it!”).

Interjections can overlap with what are considered discourse markers (words that can
manage the flow of discourse, i.e. “you know”, “well”, “I mean”, “then”), linguistic
fillers (words to indicate a pause in thinking without completion of speech, i.e. “uh”, “um”)
and profanities.

Types of Interjections

Interjections are typically divided into three categories: emotive, volitive, and cognitive.

Emotive – express the feelings of a speaker, like anger, fear, surprise, and disgust
(“Rats!”, or “Oh!”, or “Huh?”, or “Blech!”, respectively),
Cognitive – express the understanding of information by the speaker, or internal
reaction to information (“Ohh”, “I see”, “Aha!”, and “Wow”), and
Volitive – are used as imperative or directive speech, meant to instruct or
command others to do something (“Look!”, “Listen”, “Shh!”, “Look out!”).

Primary and Secondary Interjections

Interjections are a part of speech that express sudden feelings, communicate desires, or
fill silence. They add emotional value to statements and can be divided into two main
types: primary interjections and secondary interjections.

Primary Interjections

Primary interjections are words that exclusively function as interjections and serve no
other purpose in a sentence. They are used to express strong emotions or reactions.
Below are some examples of primary interjections:

Ah: Ah, that feels good!

Eek: Eek! There’s a mouse in the house.
Ouch: Ouch! That hurt.
Wow: Wow, that’s amazing!
Yikes: Yikes, that was scary.

Secondary Interjections

Secondary interjections, on the other hand, are words that can serve multiple purposes in
a sentence, such as function as a noun, verb, or adjective. These words can also convey
strong emotions or reactions when used as interjections. Here are some examples of
secondary interjections:

Goodness: Goodness! That was a close one.

Shoot: Shoot! My flight has been canceled.
Awesome: Awesome! Do that trick again.
Oh my God: Oh my God, have you ever seen something like that?
Holy cow: Holy cow! That truck almost got us.

Both primary and secondary interjections convey emotions or reactions in response to

certain situations, and while the primary interjections solely serve as interjections,
secondary interjections can function in various capacities within a sentence.

Interjection Examples and Emotions

Interjection Examples for Joy

Interjections are often used to express happiness and excitement. These interjections can
range from a simple “Wow” to an exuberant “Hurray.” Some examples of interjections for
joy include:

Yay!
Woohoo!
Hurray!

Interjection Examples for Surprise

When encountering something unexpected, people often use interjections to express their
surprise. These interjections can vary in intensity, depending on the degree of shock or
amazement. Examples of interjections for surprise are:

Oh!
Aha!
Eureka!

Interjection Examples for Pain

Sudden pain or discomfort often evoke interjections as a way to express the physical
sensation. Common interjections for pain include:

Ouch!
Ow!
Aargh!

Interjection Examples for Agreement

Interjections can also be used to show agreement or solidarity with another person’s
statement or idea. These interjections convey a sense of understanding or approval.
Examples of interjections for agreement are:

Uh-huh!
Amen!
Hear, hear!

Interjection Examples for Confusion

People often use interjections when they don’t understand something or feel bewildered or
puzzled. These interjections can express a desire for clarity or more information. Some
examples of interjections for confusion include:

Huh?
Eh?
What?

Interjection Examples for Emphasis

Finally, interjections can be used to emphasize a point or stress the importance of a

statement. These interjections are used to highlight a specific aspect of the conversation
or convey urgency. Examples of interjections for emphasis are:

Indeed!
Absolutely!
No way!

In this section, we have covered various types of interjections and their associated
emotions, such as joy, surprise, pain, agreement, confusion, and emphasis. These
interjections help to convey emotions effectively, adding depth and nuance to the
conversation.

Interjection Examples in Sentences

Interjections are used to express strong emotions or reactions within a sentence. They are
often found at the beginning or end of a sentence, but can also be used in the middle to
add emphasis or convey surprise, delight, anger, or other feelings. These words or phrases
have no grammatical relation to the rest of the sentence, and their primary purpose is to
convey emotion.

Common Interjections List

Here is a list of common interjections and their respective meanings:

Ahh: expressing realization or relief

Alas: expressing disappointment or pity

 Bless you: showing gratitude or wishing good health

Congrats: offering congratulations

Dang: expressing annoyance or frustration

Eek: showing fear or shock

Good grief: displaying exasperation or disbelief

Hooray: expressing joy or victory

Oh: demonstrating surprise or realization

Ouch: indicating pain or discomfort

Wow: showing admiration or amazement

Yeah: signifying agreement or excitement

Yuck: expressing disgust or disapproval

Examples of Interjections in Sentences

When used within sentences, interjections convey specific emotions or feelings. Here are
a few examples:

1. Oh, I didn’t see you there!

2. Hooray, our team won the championship!
3. Ouch, that really hurt!
4. Eek, there’s a spider on the wall!
5. Wow, this view is breathtaking!
6. Yuck, I can’t stand the taste of this food.
7. Ahh, now I understand what you mean.

Placement of Interjections

Interjections are versatile and can be placed at the beginning, middle, or end of a
sentence. Here is a breakdown of their placement and impact on the sentence:
 Beginning – Interjections at the beginning of a sentence set the tone for the entire
phrase, making the emotion clear from the very start.Example: Phew, we made it
just in time.
Middle – Interjections placed in the middle of a sentence often interrupt the
thought or statement, emphasizing a strong emotion or reaction.Example: The cake
is, ugh, too sweet.
End – Interjections at the end of a sentence can emphasize the feeling or emotion
being conveyed, acting as a punctuation mark of sorts.Example: I can’t believe we
finished the project, finally!

Interjections add an emotional or expressive element to sentences, allowing readers or

listeners to more clearly understand the writer’s or speaker’s feelings or reactions. By
using interjections effectively, one can create a more engaging and emotionally charged
narrative.

More Examples of Interjections in Sentences

“Oops! I did it again!”

“Ooh, what a lovely dress!”
“Yahoo, we did it!”
“Shh, I can’t hear what he’s saying.”
“We’ve done it! Hurrah!”
“Bravo, Rena! You’re right.”
“Well, so Steve got the job?”
“Oh, how wonderful!”
“Meh, there’s nothing great about it.”
“A seven-layer wedding cake? Ooh-la-la!”

List of Interjections
Interjections are short utterances that express emotions, reactions, or feelings. They are
often used in conversations to convey surprise, agreement, frustration, and many other
emotions. This section provides a list of common interjections used in English,
categorized by their purpose or meaning.

Expressing Surprise, Amazement, or Joy

Wow: Expresses amazement or admiration

 Oh: Used to express a realization or understanding
Yay/Yippee/Hurray: Indicates happiness or celebration

Expressing Disagreement or Frustration

Ugh: Shows disgust or annoyance

No/Oh no: Expresses disagreement, rejection, or disappointment
Shoot: Suggests mild frustration or disappointment

Indicating Pain or Discomfort

Ouch/ow: Expresses physical pain or discomfort

Brr: Signals feeling cold
Ew: Indicates disgust or distaste

Seeking Attention or Acknowledging Presence

Hey/Yo: Attracts someone’s attention or greets a person

Ahem: Clears the throat to get someone’s attention or to signal discomfort

Expressing Confusion or Doubt

Huh: Signals confusion or seeking clarification

Eh: Represents uncertainty, doubt, or requesting repetition
Um/uh: Filler used when thinking or hesitating

Expressing Agreement or Affirmation

Ok/okay: Indicates agreement or acceptance

Yes/yeah: Affirms a statement or shows agreement
Absolutely: Stresses strong agreement or support

Expressing Relief or Relaxation

Phew: Shows relief or relaxation after a strenuous situation

Oh well: Indicates acceptance of a mild disappointment or resignation

Various Reactions
 Oops/whoops: Used when making a mistake or recognizing an error
Shh: Asks for silence or to lower the volume
Nice/awesome/cool: Praises a situation, thing, or action

These interjections are just a selection of the vast range of expressions in the English
language. They can add nuance and depth to conversations, providing a rich and engaging
means for speakers to share their emotions, thoughts, and reactions. In addition to the
above-mentioned interjections, many others exist, including more colloquial expressions
and slang.

Interjection Examples in Speech and Writing

Using an interjection is a great way to bring life to a conversation. The interjection can be
anything from a greeting to a curse or an exclamation. They can be used as independent
sentences in response to a comment or situation and are great for making you sound like
a native English speaker.

Interjection Examples in Speech

Interjections are commonly accepted in speech, despite differing social situations. The
distinction, however, is the type of social settings and the expected interjections for
different types of social situations.

Formal conversations (and settings) call for less interjection use overall. There is an
emphasis on listening, discussion, and the completion of thought in full phrases. Socially
suitable interjections (“Oh”, “My word!”, “Yes”, and “Quite”, for example) are considered
acceptable in formal settings.

Casual conversations tend to allow more interjection use. More emotive interjections
(“Darn!”, “Eww”, “Yes!”), volitive interjections (“Do it!”, “Watch out!”), and more casual
cognitive interjections (“Got it!”, “Whoa…”) are accepted in casual speech, as are profane
and discourse-marking interjections.

Interjection Examples in Texting

In texting, interjections can be used with varying degrees of frequency — depending on

relationship types and context.
Interjections would be more common in texts among friends, romantic partners, or casual
acquaintances, but this can also depend on the type of relationship between those texting.

A short “Ok”, for example, might be appropriate in texting for one situation (say, during the
day-of correspondence in planning a party) but may seem rude if given during a heart-to-
heart discussion.

A degree of familiarity may be needed before interjections are more frequently used in
texts. Among friends, interjections in texts may follow the conventions of discussions with
these friends in-person.

If there is work correspondence or texting to superiors, limited, more formal interjection

use is recommended — though this may vary, as well.

Interjection Examples in Writing

In writing, interjections can be used as speech patterns in fictional prose (‘”Wow!”, she
exclaimed.’), as quoted speech in non-fiction news articles (‘”Got it!”, the union workers
shouted’), in poetry, personal essays, biographies, or in advertising (“Save!”, “Look!”).

Interjections are generally not acceptable in non-fiction, informational, technical,

academic, or scientific writing.

Interjection Examples in E-mail

Casual e-mail correspondence — a back-and-forth among work colleagues or friends, for

example — may be more conducive to interjection use than e-mails between employees
and superiors.

Advertising and marketing e-mails may use volitive interjections to attract customers.

Punctuation and Spelling of Interjections

Interjections are used to express a strong or sudden emotion, and their punctuation and
spelling play a significant role in conveying these feelings. In this section, we will discuss
the appropriate use of exclamation points and commas with interjections.

Exclamation Points
Exclamation points are often used with interjections to emphasize the intensity of an
emotional response. These punctuation marks show that the speaker has a heightened
level of excitement, surprise, or even frustration. Some examples include:

Wow! That was an amazing performance.

Oh no! I forgot my wallet at home.
Yikes! That was a close call.

When using an exclamation point, the interjection is typically followed by a space and a
capitalized letter, indicating the start of a new sentence.

Commas

Commas are another way to punctuate interjections, generally used for softer or more
subdued emotions. This punctuation method helps to maintain the flow of a sentence
while still signaling a brief emotional response or comment. Examples include:

Well, it seems like we made it on time.

Oh, I didn’t realize you were waiting for me.

In these cases, the interjection is followed by a comma and a lowercase letter, as it is part
of the same sentence.

To summarize, the appropriate punctuation for interjections depends on the intensity of

the emotion being conveyed. Strong emotions are typically punctuated with exclamation
points, while more subtle reactions are marked with commas. The correct use of
punctuation and spelling assists in clearly conveying the intended emotion in written
communication.
Interjections vs. Exclamations

Interjections may include types of exclamations (“Oh!”, “My word!”) but not all interjections
are exclamations (“Oh?”, “I see…”).

Exclamations are longer, more meaningful phrases (“What a wonderful day it is!”, or “This
is incredible!”) whereas interjections tend to be one or two-word phrases with simpler
expressive meanings (“Oooh!”, “Argh!”, or “Oh, no…”).
If you use interjections in texts or e-mails, exclamation point (“!”) use is strongly
discouraged. This is because expressive meaning is often implied with the interjection
itself.

This can, however, vary depending on casual business use (“Thanks!”) or strong emphasis
among casual friends (“Darn!”).

In writing (fiction or non-fiction articles) for an audience, the exclamation point is

necessary to show interjection as a part of speech.

Interjections vs. Emoticons vs. Emoji

Emoticons (“emotion icons”) are representations of facial expressions using characters

(usually typed) to convey emotions. These can include the smiley face 🙂
or the frowning
face :-(, among others.

Emojis (Japanese for “picture characters”) are small digital illustrations that can express
facial expressions as well as objects, plants, and animals. Unlike emoticons, they are not
comprised of typeface characters, but actual stylized illustrations.

In casual text slang messages among friends, emoticons and emojis are relatively
common. They are, however, strongly discouraged for use in professional or formal emails
and texts.

In this sense, interjections may actually be more common in formal/business e-mails or

texts (such as in “Thanks!” or “Yes”) but limited use of interjections in these situations is
still recommended.

Interjections vs. Onomatopeia

Onomatopeia is the construction of words that phonetically imitate existing sounds, such
as animal sounds (“Moo”, “Meow”, “Woof”) or other sounds (“Bang”, “Boom”, “Zoom”).

Interjections differ from onomatopoeia in that they are often singular words that have a
determined meaning but do not imitate sounds. Interjections are exclamatory or can evoke
emotion, while onomatopoeia is not meant to evoke meaning — only words that replicate
an existing sound effect.
In casual conversation and storytelling, onomatopoeia, like interjections, can be frequently
used. This is not the case in more formal/professional conversations, where
onomatopoeia use is strongly discouraged, and interjection use is limited to certain
interactions.

Interjection Examples | Images

List of Interjections | Interjection Examples
List of Interjections | Interjection Examples
List of Interjections in English
Examples of Interjections in English
Interjection Examples | Video

FAQs on Interjections
Interjections are an interesting aspect of language that express a wide range of emotions
or reactions. In this section, we will cover some frequently asked questions about
interjections.

What are interjections?

Interjections are words or phrases used to convey a sudden burst of emotion or feeling.
They can be used on their own or as part of a sentence, and they are mainly found in
spoken language. Interjections are often exclamatory and may add color and emotion to a
conversation while not providing any grammatical function within a sentence, so they can
often be excluded without impacting the sentence’s meaning.

What are some common examples of interjections?

There are many interjections that can be used to express various emotions. Here are some
examples:

Aaah Aha Boo Brr

Eew Er God Hmm

Huh Hurray Meh Ooh

Ouch Phew Ugh Wow

Yay Yikes Yuck Yum

Are there different types of interjections?

Interjections can be divided into two categories: primary and secondary. Primary
interjections are words that only serve as interjections, while secondary interjections can
be nouns, adjectives, or other parts of speech that occasionally function as interjections.
For example, “yes” and “no” are secondary interjections because they can also be used as
adjectives.

In which situations are interjections appropriate?

Interjections are typically used in casual, informal settings, such as in conversations or

written dialogues. They may be less suitable for formal writing, but this depends on the
context and the specific interjection being used. Some interjections, such as “oh” or
“hmm,” can be used more widely, while others, like “boo” or “yuck,” may be considered too
colloquial for formal writing.

What is the correct placement of an interjection in a sentence?

Interjections can appear anywhere in a sentence, depending on the emotion they are
conveying and the emphasis the speaker wants to place on them. They can occur at the
beginning, in the middle, or at the end of a sentence, and they can even stand alone as a
sentence by themselves. For example:

Wow! That was amazing.

I can’t believe this, ugh, is happening.
 What a beautiful day, huh?

Last Updated on May 15, 2023

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15 thoughts on “Mastering Interjections with Cool Interjection
Examples”

← Older Comments

Pranali Salunkhe
September 20, 2021 at 7:54 am

a exclamatory or an exclamatory?

Reply

7ESL
May 15, 2023 at 8:33 am

The article you should use before “exclamatory” or “exclamation” depends on the
sound at the beginning of the word that follows it. If the following word begins
with a vowel sound, you should use “an”. If the following word begins with a
consonant sound, you should use “a”.

For example:

“What an exclamatory statement!” (the word “exclamatory” begins with a vowel

sound)
“That’s a powerful exclamation!” (the word “exclamation” begins with a consonant
sound)

Reply
 Anonymous
January 14, 2024 at 6:35 am

an exclamatory dear bcuz an comes before a,e,i,o;u, as they are vowels

Reply

niyah
January 6, 2021 at 1:47 pm

is yet a inerjection

Reply

7ESL
May 15, 2023 at 8:29 am

No, “yet” is not an interjection. It is an adverb that is often used to indicate that
something has not happened or been done up to a particular point in time. For
example, “I haven’t finished my homework yet,” or “Are you ready to leave yet?”

Reply

deandre
September 22, 2020 at 6:48 pm

very good
 Reply

Mohamed Walid
August 3, 2020 at 11:31 am

Thank You for your efforts!

Reply

← Older Comments
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