An interjection is not associated with the sentence structure. If we exclude interjections from that particular sentence, it will not affect the overall structure of the sentence. Have a look at the following examples:
- Hurrah! We won the match.
- Alas! his friend died.
In those two sentences, we have used two interjection expressions: “hurrah!” and “alas!” These two expressions are widely used throughout the world to express our sense of joy and the sense of grief. But, if we go to exclude these two expressions from the sentence, the sentence will remain a complete one. There is no influence over the overall structure of the sentence.
- We won the match.
- His friend died.
At the same time, interjection can exist as its
own. We can use interjection expressions in our writing, even without
connecting to any sentence.
Placement of Interjection
An interjection can sit at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end of the sentence.
- Wow! What a nice car.
- Oh no, we cannot accept it!
- In my perspective, gosh! we have seriously hurt her!
- You are going to, uh, New York.
- You have stepped on my foot; (ouch) it is hurting me.
- I told you not to disturb me, my goodness!
- It is really an interesting matter, hmm? (Using interjection at the end turns into a question, which might expect an opinion from others.)
- I think you will not do it again, huh?
- It is a really, hmm, interesting matter. (Using interjection in the middle may create uncertainty or doubt.)
Commonly Used Expressions in Our Daily Life
Hi! Hello! Good morning! Good afternoon!
We use these two expressions to show greeting. We actually start our conversation with these two expressions. But we should keep in our mind that “hi!” and “hello!” are comparatively less formal. We use “good morning,” “good afternoon,” “good evening” in a very formal situation. These two expressions ("hi! and Hello!") are very common and popular in our daily life. So, we start our conversation with “hi!”, “Hello!”, “good morning!”, or good afternoon!” These greetings actually help us make our conversation smooth, friendly, and functional. Without these greetings starting a conversation will not be friendly or functional. To make the conversation smooth, friendly, or easy-going, we start our conversation with these expressions.
Hurrah!
We use “hurrah” if we want to express our sense of joy. Hurrah! We won the match.
- I have won the lottery! Hurrah!
- Hurrah! We have done it!
We are to use an exclamation mark after some fixed expressions.
“Hurrah!” is one of them. Moreover, we can also use the exclamation sign after
any complete sentence if we want to show our feelings. Look at the first
example. Here, the author has not used the exclamation mark after the sentence.
However, he has used the exclamation mark after the third sentence because he
wants to add his excitement to that sentence.
Alas!
We use “alas!” if we want to express our sense of grief.
- Alas! His grandfather died yesterday.
Meh!
“Meh!” is used to express our sense of indifference. But it is not widely used. Generally, it is used in our part of the world.
- Meh! whatever you say is always right.
- Mey, I don’t find anything serious over there.
Gah!
“Gah!” expresses our sense of despair. Imagine a context where you want to say something, but you have forgotten it. Then, you will say:
- Gah! I can’t remember it.
Oh!
“Oh!” is used to express our sense of wonder.
- Oh! How beautiful the scenery is.
Ah!
“Ah!” expresses our sense of delight.
- Ah! The food was really delicious.
Hmm!
“Hmn” is used to express our lack of confidence. when we hesitate to do anything, we say “hmm!”
- Hmn! I cannot do it.
A-ha!
"A-ha" is used when we understand something.
- A-ha! I have got it.
Behold!
“Behold” expression draws someone’s attention.
- Behold! Our president is coming.
Shh!
“Shh!” is used to make someone or somebody quiet.
- Shh! We are surrounded by tigers.
- Shh, be quiet!
Ouch! & Oww!
“Ouch!” & “Oww!” express our sense of pain. Suppose you are on a bus, and suddenly, someone has stepped on your foot. If this man’s stepping on your foot hurt you, your reaction will be either “ouch” or “oww!” Think about another situation where someone is pinching you and if this pinching is hurting you, you will say:
- “Ouch! / “Oww!” don’t do this.
- “Ouch!” / “Oww! You have just stepped on my foot.
Bravo!
“Bravo!” expresses someone’s brilliance.
- Bravo! You have done exceptionally well.
- Bravo! You have stood first in the exam.
Dear!
‘Dear!” is used to depict our sense of pretty. Think about a match between Bangladesh and Pakistan. Bangladesh needs two runs to win, But Bangladesh could not manage two runs and lost the match. At that time, what would be the reaction of the commentators?
- Dear! You’ve lost the match you could win.
Shoo!
“Shoo!” is used to drive naughty boys and cattle away.
- Shoo, all of you!
Yuck
“Yuck” is used to express our sense of disgust.
- Yuck! There is a fly in my food.
Yahoo
"Yahoo" expresses our feelings of delight.
- Yahoo, we have done it!
Booh!
“Booh! is not common in our part of the world. It is used when someone does something bad on the stage.
- Booh, get out of the stage!
Brr!
“Brr!” depicts a cold environment. We usually do not come across that expression in our part of the world.
- Brr! It is really very cold.
Wow!
“Wow” expresses our sense of astonishment.
- Wow! You have done exceptionally well.
Interjection phrase
When a phrase is used to express our sudden feeling, it is called an interjectional phrase:
- O, dear! For shame! Good gracious! Good heaven! Oh (o) dear! For shame!
Good gracious! Good, God! Good heaven!
Other parts of speech used as an interjection:
Sometimes other parts of speech may be used as
an interjection.
i. Verb:
- Would that I had been rich!
- Would that I were a king!
- Come! Don’t fear. (Imperative mood)
- Look! There he comes
ii. Noun infinitive:
- To play with such a bad team!
- We have given away all we had, and to see such bad days!
iii. Noun:
- Kindness! Kindness! No one has kindness here.
iv. Adjective:
- Good! Fine! Interesting!
v. Adverb:
- How very sill! How nice!
vi. Pronoun:
- What a boy!
vii. Conjunction:
- If I could kill him!
- If only there were no injuries! Now, try to use them in your daily life. After a few days, you will be able to express your strong emotion: joy, sorrow, frustration, anger, denial, disgust, enthusiasm etc.
Exercise
a. behold! b. hmm! c. shh! d. shoo!
2. "Hmm! is used to
a. express a lack of confidence
b. express our attention
3. We use "aha!"
a. when we understand something
b. when we want to express our sense of delight
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