Interjection

INTERJECTION

1.  Definition of Interjection

          Interjections are small words that bear no grammatical connection with the sentences in which they are used. They express the emotions or sentiments of the speaker or convey hesitation or protest. They are usually followed by an exclamation mark. Interjections are rarely used in academic or formal writing, but are common in fiction or artistic writing. They are usually, but not always, offset by an exclamation point (which is also used to show emotion). Interjections are used most often in speech. While people don’t necessarily pause to think about it, they use interjections all the time. This is even true when you consider the fact that common words used in pauses, such as “uh!” and “um!” are interjections.

Interjections can find their way into fictional pieces, most often in the form of dialogue. They can also be used in informal written communication between two people, such as letters or emails.

Example:

·        Oh! I’ve lost my key.

·        Phew! That was close. I nearly forgot my purse.

·        Wow! There are so many sweets here.

       They (Oh!, Phew!, and Wow!) are interjections used to show the speaker’s admiration in the sentence.

  

2.     Type of Interjection

        There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of interjections in the English language.

Most are designed to express strong emotion such as:

v Surprise

       Example: Wow! Gosh!

v Happiness

       Example: Hurray! Yippee!

v Anger

Example:  Argh!

v Enthusiasm

       Example: Yup! Yeah!

v Confusion

       Example: Huh?

v Disgust

       Example: Eww! Eek!

v Hurt

       Example: Ouch!

v Relief

       Example: Phew!

v Thinking about something

       Example: well, hmm, um

v Clumsy

Example: Oops!

    

3.     Use of Interjections

A.   Beginning of Sentence

        When people think of interjections, they commonly think of them being used at the beginning of the sentence. Many also associate interjections with a punctuation mark design to convey emotion: the exclamation point.

This is often true. Interjections can and do appear in the beginning of the sentences. For example:

·        Congrats! You finally got your Master’s degree.

·        Oh dear! I don’t know what to do about this mess.

        In both of these sentences the interjection-“Congrats!” and “Oh dear!” appear at the beginning of the sentences. In addition, in both of the sentences, the emotion is a strong emotion and the sentences itself ends with an exclamation point.

B.   Middle of Sentence

        Interjections do not always have to be at the beginning of a sentence. They can appear in the middle of the sentence.

For example:

·        In my opinion, my gosh, this is just the smartest thing you have ever said.

       In the sentence, the interjection is found in the middle-”my gosh”.

It designed to express or convey the author’s emphasis on his opinion that the statement was smart. Again, no exclamation point is required.

C.   At the End of Sentence

        Interjection also can appear at the end of the sentence.

For example:

·        So, it’s snowing again, huh?

      In the sentence, the interjection is found at the end-“huh?”

        Here, the interjection is designed to express confusion (or perhaps dismay) at the continued snow falling. Instead, the interjection “huh?” turned the sentence into a question.

4.     Noun, verb, and adverb also can be an interjection.

A.   Noun as an Interjection:

·        Foolishness! Your dog is not smarter than my dog!

B.   Verb as an Interjection:

·        Clap! He deserves some applause for that performance.

C.   Adverb as an Interjection:

·        Nope! You cannot go into the room until I give you permission.

5.    List of Interjections

Interjection	Meaning	Sentence
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 as right	Bingo! That’s exactly what we were 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.
Oh	I see/ I think	Oh, it’s been around a week since I saw her
Oops	Making a mistake	Oops! Sorry I didn’t see those skates 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 exclamation	I can’t believe you’re actually coming 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!
Yippee	Exclamation of celebration	Yippee! We won, lets head to the bar.

Some interjections are used to stall for time or indicate that the speaker is thinking of something. These interjections are also used when someone doesn’t know what to say. The following is a list of these sounds or words; they are also called Hesitation Devices

Interjection	Meaning	Use
Uh	Indicates a pause/ need for more time	Wait I know this… uh… is it Ruskin Bond?
Hmm	Thinking/Hesitating about something	Hmm, I’m not sure this colour is the best for this room.
Er	Not knowing what to say	I don’t think…er… wait… let me call my boss.
Um	Pausing or being skeptical	Not that I don’t believe you but, um, you say it’s a ghost?