Chapter 1: Parts of Speech - Interjections

CHAPTER 1: PARTS OF SPEECH

8. Interjections thán từ
 Definition
 Classification
 Uses

OBJECTIVES: By the end of this unit, you will be able to

• know the definition of English interjections.
• understand the classification and uses of English interjections.
• use them in sentences correctly.

GETTING STARTED
Work in groups of four. Discuss the following questions. You can use
any resources (grammar books, internet, etc.) to help you.

1. What is an interjection?

2. How many kinds of English conjunctions are there? What are they?

GRAMMAR KNOWLEDGE

I. Definition

An interjection or an exclamation is a word used to fill pauses or to

express a particular emotion or sentiment on the part of the speaker
(although most interjections have clear definitions). Thán từ hoặc
cảm thán là một từ được sử dụng để điền vào các khoảng dừng
hoặc để thể hiện một cảm xúc hoặc tình cảm cụ thể của người nói
(mặc dù hầu hết các câu ngắt lời đều có định nghĩa rõ ràng).

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Chapter 1: Parts of Speech - Interjections

II. Classification
There are 2 types of Interjections according to their use.
1. Interjections to fill pauses:
Examples:
Meaning Example
Interjection

Uh Indicates a pause/ need for

more time Cho biết thời gian Wait I know this… uh… is it Ruskin
tạm dừng / cần thêm thời Bond?
gian
Hmm Thinking/Hesitating about
Hmm, I’m not sure this colour is the
something Suy nghĩ / Do dự
best for this room.
về điều gì đó
Er Not knowing what to say I don’t think…er… wait… let me call
Không biết phải nói gì my boss.

Pausing or being skeptical Not that I don’t believe you but, um,
Um
Tạm dừng hoặc hoài nghi you say it’s a ghost?

2. Interjections to express the speaker’s emotions

Examples:

Meaning Example
Interjection

Aah Exclamation of fear Aah! The monster’s got me!

Ahh Realization or acceptance Ahh, now I see what you mean.

Aww Something sweet or cute Aww! Just look at that kitten.

Bingo Acknowledge something Bingo! That’s exactly what we were

as right looking for!

Eh Question something So that was all she said, eh?

Eww Something disgusting Eww! That movie was so gory.

Hmph To indicate displeasure Hmph. I could do that for half the amount
he charged.

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Chapter 1: Parts of Speech - Interjections

Oh I see/ I think Oh, it’s been around a week since I saw

her.

Oops! Sorry I didn’t see those skates

Oops Making a mistake
there.
Ouch Exclamation of pain Ouch, that hurt! Stop pinching me!

Shh An indication for silence Shh! The show is about to start.

Uh oh Showing dismay Uh oh! The teacher’s caught him.

Whew Amazement and/or relief Whew! I can’t believe we actually

finished it all.

Wow Expressing surprise or

admiration Wow! That’s really great news!

Yay/Yaay Congratulatory I can’t believe you’re actually coming

exclamation here! Yaay!

Yeah Variant of ‘yes’ Yeah, I’d love some orange juice.

Yikes For fear or concern (not
serious) Yikes, my mother’s home!

Exclamation of celebration
Yippee Yippee! We won, lets head to the bar.

III. Interjection Vocabulary Word List

A bother easy does it eek geez
boy brr egads er gesundheit
aah ack by golly exactly get lost
agreed bye get outta here
ah F go on
aha C good
ahem alas fair enough
fiddle-dee-dee good golly
all right cheerio cheers
good job
chin up fiddlesticks fie
amen gosh
come on crikey foo
argh gracious
curses fooey
as if great grr
aw ay D G gulp
aye
dear me gadzooks gah H
B doggone gangway
drat g'day gee ha
bah gee whiz ha-ha
blast boo duh

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Chapter 1: Parts of Speech - Interjections

hoo E hah
hallelujah
harrumph
haw

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Chapter 1: Parts of Speech - Interjections
 hee N roger that voila
here rumble vroom
hey nah
hmm naw S W
ho hum hoo never
no say wah
hooray see ya well
no can do nooo
hot dog shame shh
not well done
how shoo well, well
no thanks
huh shucks what
no way
hum nuts sigh whatever
humbug hurray sleep tight whee
huzza O snap when
I oh sorry whoa
oho sssh whoo
I say ick oh-oh whoopee
sup T
is it oh no whoops
ixnay okay ta whoopsey
okey-dokey ta-da whew
J
om oof ta ta why
jeez ooh take that word
just kidding oopsey tally ho tch wow
just a sec over oy thanks wuzzup
just wondering oyez there
there there Y
K P time out toodles
ya
touche
kapish L peace yea
tsk
pff yeah
la tsk-tsk tut
pew yech
la-di-dah tut-tut
phew yikes
lo pish posh yippee
U
look psst ptui yo
look here ugh uh yoo-hoo
long time Q uh-oh you bet
lordy um you don't say
quite you know
ur
M
R urgh yow
man meh yum
rah V yummy
mmm
most certainly my rats
very nice Z
ready
my my my very well
word right
zap
right on roger zounds
zowie zzz
Chapter 1: Parts of Speech - Interjections
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