What are interjection?

 Interjection are a part of speech used to convey or

express sudden feelings and emotions. There are no
particular rules as to where interjections should be
placed in a sentence, but most often, they are seen to
appear in the beginning of a sentence. They are used
to form exclamatory sentences. In order to develop a
clearer idea of what interjections are exactly, take a
 look at how different dictionaries define an
interjection.

Definition of an Interjection
Oxford Learner’s Dictionary
 Is defined as “a short sound, word or phrase
spoken suddenly to express an emotion.”

Cambridge Dictionary
 “a word that is used to show a short sudden
expression of emotion.”
 Merriam-Webster Dictionary
 “a word or phrase used in exclamation”

Macmillan Dictionary
 “a word or phrase used for expressing a strong
emotion such as surprise or anger.”

Collins Dictionary
 “a word or expression which you use to express a
strong feeling such as surprise, pain, or horror.”
 List of Interjections
for Everyday
Communication

Interjection
 o Alas
Purpose
o To express sadness or pity
Example
o Alas! That was so unfortunate.

Interjection
 o Ah
Purpose
o To express realization or surprise
Example
o Ah, the magic show at the end was a
total surprise!
Interjection
o Eh
Purpose
o To enquire or ask for something to
be repeated
Example
o Eh! I didn’t quite get it. Can you
please repeat it?
Interjection
o Dear
Purpose
o To express pity or surprise
Example
o Oh dear! I feel really bad for what
happened to you.
Interjection
o Hey
Purpose
o To express surprise or call for
attention
Example
o Hey! Look out for the car.
Interjection
o Hurray
Purpose
o To express joy
Example
o Hurray! We finally cleared the test.
Interjection
o Oh
Purpose
o To express pain or surprise
Example
o Oh! I have really bad headache.
Interjection
o Ouch
Purpose
o To express pain
Example
o Ouch! You stepped on my toes.
Interjection
o Phew
Purpose
o To express relief, exhaustion, disgust
Example
o Phew! That was an extremely long
presentation.
Interjection
o Uh
Purpose
o To express hesitation
Example
o Uh! I don’t think I want to be part of
this.
Interjection
o Well
Purpose
o To introduce a remark
Example
o Well, what you just did was
wonderful.
Interjection
o Wow
Purpose
o To express your admiration for
something
Example
o Wow! Your new bike is amazing
Interjection
o Yippee
Purpose
o To express joy
Example
o Yippee! Tomorrow is a holiday.
How and When to
Use Interjections?
 When a short interjection is used in the beginning
of a sentence, it should be followed by a comma.

 When an interjection forms a sentence by itself,

the interjection can be followed by a full stop, a
question mark or an exclamation mark.

 When an interjection is used in the middle of a

sentence, the interjection has to be preceded and
followed by a comma.
 In a conversation, interjections are sometimes
allowed to stand alone.

 It is better if you do not use too many or any

interjections in a formal context.