What Is an Interjection? | Definition & Examples

What is an Interjection?

An interjection is a part of speech that expresses strong emotion or sudden exclamatory remarks. Interjections are often used to convey surprise, joy, anger, approval, disapproval, or other intense feelings. They are typically standalone words or short phrases and are not grammatically connected to the rest of the sentence. Interjections are used to add emphasis or convey the speaker’s emotional state.

Common examples of interjections include:

• Wow
• Oh no
• Ouch
• Bravo
• Alas
• Yikes
• Hooray
• Ugh

Interjections are versatile and can vary across languages and cultures. They play a role in expressing the speaker’s immediate emotional response to a situation.

Types of Interjection

• Emotive Interjections
• Volitive Interjections
• Primary Interjections
• Secondary Interjections
• Greetings and Parting Words/Phrases
• Cognitive Interjections

Emotive Interjections

Emotive interjections are linguistic expressions that convey intense emotions or feelings within a single word or short phrase. These exclamatory remarks serve to emphasize the speaker’s emotional response to a situation, adding a subjective and personal element to the communication.

Examples

• “Wow!” to express astonishment
• “Yay!” to convey joy.
• “Oh no!” to indicate surprise or concern.

Volitive Interjections

The term “volitive interjections” is not commonly used in linguistic literature, and it might be a misinterpretation or mislabeling. However, if you are referring to interjections related to expressing volition or will, one can consider certain exclamatory expressions that convey a strong desire, command or wish.

Examples

• Let’s
• Please
• Wish
• which

Primary Interjections

The term “primary interjections” is not a standard linguistic classification. However, if you are referring to basic or core interjections that serve as primary expressions of emotion or reaction, these are often short, standalone words or phrases used to convey a speaker’s immediate feelings. Primary interjections are typically simple and universal across languages, serving as spontaneous responses to various situations.

Examples

• Wow
• Oh
• Ah
• Oops
• Yikes

Secondary Interjections

The term “secondary interjections” is not a widely recognized linguistic category. In the traditional classification of interjections, they are typically seen as standalone words or short phrases that express strong emotions and are not grammatically connected to the rest of the sentence. However, if by “secondary interjections” you are referring to expressions that may not be as basic or universally recognized as primary interjections, they could encompass a broader range of exclamatory remarks that convey specific emotions or reactions.

Example:

• Goodness! That was close enough.
• Awesome! Can you do this trick again?
• Shoot! My flight has been canceled.

Greetings And Parting Words/Phrases

Greetings and parting words or phrases are essential elements of social communication, expressing politeness, friendliness, and cultural norms. Tare used to acknowledge and welcome someone while parting words are employed when saying goodbye or leaving. Here are some common examples:

Greetings:

• Hello
• Hi
• Good morning
• Good afternoon
• Good evening
• Hey
• Howdy
• Greetings
• Salutations
• What’s up?

Parting Words/Phrases:

• Goodbye
• Farewell
• See you later
• See you soon
• Take care
• Have a great day
• Until we meet again
• Adieu
• Bye-bye
• So long

These expressions vary in formality and cultural appropriateness, so choosing the right one depends on the context and your relationship with the person you are addressing. In different languages and cultures, there are diverse ways to greet and say goodbye, each carrying its nuances and significance.

Cognitive Interjections

The term “cognitive interjections” isn’t a widely recognized linguistic classification. However, if you are referring to interjections that express cognitive or thought-related reactions, you might be interested in expressions that convey surprise, realization, or contemplation. While these may not form a specific linguistic category, some interjections can capture cognitive processes. Here are examples that might align with this idea:

• “Aha!” – Expressing sudden realization.
• “Hmm…” – Indicating thoughtfulness or contemplation.
• “Oh!” – Conveying surprise or understanding.
• “Eureka!” – Signifying a moment of discovery.
• “Well…” – Initiating reflective or contemplative speech.

These expressions often capture the speaker’s internal cognitive processes and contribute to effective communication by conveying nuanced thoughts and reactions.

How Are Interjections Used In Sentences?

They serve to add emphasis, convey the speaker’s feelings, and provide a more vivid and immediate expression of their emotional state. Here are some ways interjections are used in sentences:

Standalone Expressions:

• Interjections can stand alone as independent expressions to convey a strong emotion or reaction. For example: “Wow!”, “Ouch!”, or “Bravo!”

Introductory Phrases:

• Interjections can be used at the beginning of a sentence to set the tone or express the speaker’s immediate response. For example: “Oh, I didn’t expect that!” or “Well, that’s interesting!”

Exclamatory Sentences:

• Interjections often form part of exclamatory sentences, where the entire sentence expresses strong emotion. For example: “What a beautiful sunset!” or “Yikes, that was close!”

Interruptive Expressions:

• Interjections can interrupt the flow of a sentence to emphasize a point or convey a sudden reaction. For example: “I, um, forgot my keys!” or “Oh, I see what you mean.”

Conversational Emphasis:

• In informal conversation, interjections are frequently used to add emphasis, enthusiasm, or agreement. For example: “Exactly! Wow, that’s amazing!”

Related Resources:

Grammar

• Conjunction
• Verbs
• Adverbs
• Adjectives
• Nouns
• Pronouns
• Interjections

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Q: What is interjection with an example?

A) An interjection is a short exclamation expressing strong emotions. Example: “Wow! That’s impressive.

Q: What is an interjection also known as?

A) An interjection is also known as an exclamatory word or exclamation, expressing strong emotions or sudden remarks in speech.

Q: What are the 10 most common interjections?

A) Wow, oh, hey, yes, no, hmm, oops, ouch, well, hooray! These are 10 common interjections expressing various emotions in everyday language.

Q: What are the rules for interjections?

A) Interjections, expressing emotion, stand-alone. Punctuation (exclamations, commas) highlights their impact. Varied in formality, they enrich dialogue.

Q: What are 20 interjections?

A) Wow! Oh no! Yikes! Bravo! Oops! Hooray! Alas! Ugh! Yay! Ouch! Phew! Hey! Well! Eek! Ah! Hmm! Oh! Aha! Gosh! Yippee.