LESSON FOR TODAY: Using interjections to convey meaning

What Are Interjections?

An interjection is a part of speech that express strong feeling or sudden emotion. It expresses a sentiment
such as surprise, disgust, joy, excitement, or enthusiasm. These words or phrases can stand alone or be placed before
or after a sentence. Many times an interjection is followed by a punctuation mark, often an exclamation point.
Different interjections can be used to express different kinds of emotions or feelings – from
anger, happiness, surprise, to enthusiasm, boredom and more.

Interjection Meaning
Wow, Whoa, Expressing amazement
Ummm Expressing hesitation
Ouch, Ow Expressing pain
Hmmm Expressing hesitation, doubt or disagreement
Shhh Telling someone to be quiet
Grrrr Expressing anger
Bravo, Congratulations, Finally Expressing approval
Ugh, Urgh Expressing discontent
Yahoo, Yes, Yipee, Hooray, Yehey Expressing joy
Eeeek, Oh No!, Oh! Expressing fear
eh Asking for repetition
Examples of interjections and their definitions:
• Ahem - The sound of someone clearing their throat in an attempt to get your attention
• Boo - Used to scare someone or to voice disapproval
• Eh - Used when you didn't hear or understand what someone said
• Eww - Conveys dislike or disgust

LESSON FOR TODAY: Using interjections to convey meaning

What Are Interjections?
An interjection is a part of speech that express strong feeling or sudden emotion. It expresses a sentiment
such as surprise, disgust, joy, excitement, or enthusiasm. These words or phrases can stand alone or be placed before
or after a sentence. Many times an interjection is followed by a punctuation mark, often an exclamation point.
Different interjections can be used to express different kinds of emotions or feelings – from
anger, happiness, surprise, to enthusiasm, boredom and more.

Interjection Meaning
Wow, Whoa, Expressing amazement
Ummm Expressing hesitation
Ouch, Ow Expressing pain
Hmmm Expressing hesitation, doubt or disagreement
Shhh Telling someone to be quiet
Grrrr Expressing anger
Bravo, Congratulations, Finally Expressing approval
Ugh, Urgh Expressing discontent
Yahoo, Yes, Yipee, Hooray, Yehey Expressing joy
Eeeek, Oh No!, Oh! Expressing fear
eh Asking for repetition
Examples of interjections and their definitions:
• Ahem - The sound of someone clearing their throat in an attempt to get your attention
• Boo - Used to scare someone or to voice disapproval
• Eh - Used when you didn't hear or understand what someone said
• Eww - Conveys dislike or disgust
• Jeez - Could indicate you can't believe something or accompanying sentence:
you're exasperated • Ahh, that feels wonderful.
• Ooh-la-la - A slightly comical way to refer to • Alas! I'm lost in the wilderness.
something as fancy or special • Bless you! I couldn't have done it
• Oops - An exclamation people use when they do without you.
something by accident • It's time for me to go. Cheerio!
• Phew - Expressing relief or gladness something is • Congrats! You finally got your
over master's degree.
• Whoa - Can show surprise or amazement • Good grief! Why are you wearing
• Yahoo - Expresses joy or happiness
shorts in the winter?
• Yeah - Demonstrates a very strong affirmation or
• Grrr. I'm going to get back at him for
approval
that.
• Yoo-hoo - An expression used to get someone's
• Humph. He probably cheated to make
attention
such good grades.
• Oh dear! I don't know what to do
about this mess.
Interjections in a Sentence
• Shoot! I forgot my brother's birthday.
Here are some more interjections, this
• Well, duh! That was a stupid thing to
time used in the context of an
do!
Practice Exercise: In the following sentences, identify the interjection and circle it.
1. Hi, I’m glad that you could make it to my party. 5. Hmm, I wonder where I put my keys and wallet?
2. Wow! You look great tonight. 6. Eureka, I’ve struck gold!
3. That was the best performance that I have ever 7. “Shoo, go away!” shouted the woman when she
seen, bravo! saw the cat licking milk from her cereal bowl.
4. I can’t believe you broke my favorite toy, bah. 8. I guess that’s the end of the movie, darn.
9. Stop! You should always wear a helmet when riding 10. Yippee, I made this picture all by myself
a bike.

• Jeez - Could indicate you can't believe something or Interjections in a Sentence

you're exasperated Here are some more interjections, this time used in
• Ooh-la-la - A slightly comical way to refer to the context of an accompanying sentence:
something as fancy or special • Ahh, that feels wonderful.
• Oops - An exclamation people use when they do • Alas! I'm lost in the wilderness.
something by accident • Bless you! I couldn't have done it without you.
• Phew - Expressing relief or gladness something is • It's time for me to go. Cheerio!
over • Congrats! You finally got your master's degree.
• Whoa - Can show surprise or amazement • Good grief! Why are you wearing shorts in the
• Yahoo - Expresses joy or happiness winter?
• Yeah - Demonstrates a very strong affirmation or • Grrr. I'm going to get back at him for that.
approval • Humph. He probably cheated to make such good
• Yoo-hoo - An expression used to get someone's grades.
attention • Oh dear! I don't know what to do about this mess.
• Shoot! I forgot my brother's birthday.
• Well, duh! That was a stupid thing to do!

Practice Exercise: In the following sentences, identify the interjection and circle it.
1. Hi, I’m glad that you could make it to my party. 7. “Shoo, go away!” shouted the woman when she
2. Wow! You look great tonight. saw the cat licking milk from her cereal bowl.
3. That was the best performance that I have ever 8. I guess that’s the end of the movie, darn.
seen, bravo!
4. I can’t believe you broke my favorite toy, bah. 9. Stop! You should always wear a helmet when riding
5. Hmm, I wonder where I put my keys and wallet? a bike.
6. Eureka, I’ve struck gold! 10. Yippee, I made this picture all by myself
B. Choose the most suitable interjection to complete the sentences.
1. _________I hear someone whispering my name.
A) Ah! B) Oh! C) Hush! D) Wow!
2. _______that feels amazing.
A) Bah! B) Phew! C) Yeah! D) Ahh!
3. _______I have passed the exam.
A) Hurrah! B) Ahh! C) Wow! D) Hey!
4. _______I don’t like this vegetable.
A) Uh! B) Oh!
C) Ugh!
D) Whew!
5. ______ That’s really great news.
A) Hey!
B) Ah!
C) Yay!
D) Wow
6. ______What a beautiful dress.
A) Hey!
B) Aww!
C) Oh!
D) Hmm!
7. _______I spilled my coffee all over the table.
A) Aww!
B) Oops!
C) Uh!
D) Phew!
8. I can’t believe that you are coming here! _______!
A) Hmm!
B) Woah!
C) Yay!
D) Ah!
9. _______just look at the puppies.
A) Oh!
B) Aww!
C) Hey!
D) Ah
10. ______Can you repeat the question?
A) Hey!
B) Hmm!
C) Huh!
D) Uh!

C. Choose the most appropriate interjection from the selection below and write it in the
space provided.
Choose from: Ouch dear ah alas eh hey hmm oh
1. "____________! You're stepping on my foot."(expressing pain)
2. "Oh _________! Does it hurt?" (expressing pity)
3. "____________, that seems good." (expressing pleasure)
4. "____________, she's dead now." (expressing grief or pity)
5. "It's hot today." "___________?" "I said it's hot today." (asking for repetition)
6. "_____________! What a good idea!" (expressing surprise, joy, etc.)
7. "_____________, please say 'yes'!" (expressing pleading)
8. "______________! look at that!" (calling attention)
9. "______________. I don't think that's a great idea."(expressing hesitation, doubt or disagreement)
10. "_______________! You're here!" (expressing surprise)