Interjections in English Grammar: A Complete Guide

Interjections are an exciting part of English grammar that often goes unnoticed, but they’re more common than you might think. These little words or phrases express emotions like surprise, joy, anger, or excitement. They can add feeling to your speech and writing, making conversations more natural and lively. Whether you’ve shouted “Wow!” when you saw something amazing or whispered “Oops” after a small mistake, you’ve already used interjections!

What Are Interjections?

Interjections, which fall under the category of parts of speech, are short words or phrases that express strong feelings or sudden emotions. They don’t have a grammatical relationship with the rest of the sentence. Interjections often stand alone and usually end with an exclamation mark. For instance, ‘Wow!’ ‘Ouch!’ and ‘Oops.’ – these words express sudden emotions and reactions.

Types of Interjections

English has several types of interjections that we use in different ways when we speak and write. Each type has its own job – some show feelings, while others help us think or greet people. By learning these different types, you’ll know exactly which interjection to use and when to use it in your everyday conversations.

Primary Interjections

Primary interjections are the purest form of interjections in English. These short, instinctive sounds or words have no other grammatical function – they exist solely to express emotions or reactions. Have you ever made a sound without thinking?

Like when you see a cute puppy and go “Aww!” or when you’re surprised and shout “Oh!”? Those are primary interjections! They’re the most natural sounds we make to express our feelings.

Primary Interjection Examples:

• Oh! (when you suddenly remember something)
• Ah! (when you finally understand something tricky)
• Ouch! (we all know this one – when you bump your elbow!)
• Wow! (when your friend shows you their amazing art)
• Oops! (when you accidentally send that text to the wrong person )

Secondary Interjections

Secondary interjections show how flexible English can be! These are regular words or phrases that have transformed into emotional expressions over time. While they have meaning in other contexts, they take on a new life as interjections. When you say “Good heavens!” you’re not actually talking about the sky – you’re expressing surprise or shock.

Secondary Interjection Examples:

• Good heavens! (when your friend tells you some shocking gossip)
• Dear me! (when you realize you forgot your lunch at home)
• My goodness! (when your little sister actually cleaned her room)
• Well done! (when your friend aces that tough math test)

Emotive Interjections

Emotive interjections help you express instant emotion or reaction. These words can convey happiness, sadness, disgust, or excitement in a single breath. They’re useful when you need to react quickly, or when words alone aren’t enough to express how you feel.

Emotive Interjection Examples:

• Yay! (you finally finished that huge project!)
• Ugh! (when someone cuts in line in front of you)
• Aww! (when you see your friend’s new baby pictures)
• Yikes! (when you see your friend’s new haircut… and it’s not great)
• Hooray! (it’s finally Friday!)

Volitive Interjections

Volitive interjections are actions or commanding words used to make things happen – to give orders, get attention, or call for action. These interjections are effective in both casual conversations and emergencies. When you need someone to be quiet quickly, a simple “Shh!” often works better than a long explanation.

Volitive Interjection Examples:

• Shh! (when your friend is talking during the movie)
• Psst! (when you want to share a secret)
• Hey! (when you spot your friend across the mall)
• Stop! (when your little brother is about to eat your last cookie)
• Help! (when you’re carrying too many grocery bags)

Cognitive Interjections

Cognitive interjections are your “brain sounds” – the noises you make while thinking! They’re like little windows into your thought process, showing moments of understanding or realization. These interjections are useful in conversations when you want to show that you’re actively listening and processing information.

Cognitive Interjection Examples:

• Aha! (when you finally remember where you put your keys)
• Oh! (when you realize why your friend was upset)
• Hmm! (when you’re trying to decide what to eat)
• I see! (when your teacher explains something and it clicks)

Hesitation Markers

Hesitation markers are the natural pauses and fillers we use while thinking or when we’re unsure what to say next. Don’t think of these as bad habits. They’re useful and give you time to think while signaling to others that you’re not finished speaking. Native English speakers use these all the time in natural conversation.

Examples:

• Um… (when your teacher asks you about homework you forgot)
• Uh… (when someone asks what you want for dinner)
• Er… (when you’re trying to explain why you’re late)
• Well… (when your friend asks to borrow your favorite sweater)

Greeting Interjections

Greeting interjections are the social butterflies of the interjection family. They help us start and end conversations smoothly and can set the tone for entire interactions. These might seem simple, but they’re essential for polite communication and can vary in formality depending on your situation.

Greeting Interjection Examples:

• Hi! (spotting your friend at school)
• Hello! (walking into a job interview)
• Bye! (leaving after a fun hangout)
• Goodbye! (ending a phone call with your grandparents)
• Hey! (greeting your siblings at breakfast)

How Are Interjections Used in Sentences?

Interjections are unique because they don’t have a direct grammatical connection to other words in a sentence. Instead, they stand on their own or are set apart by punctuation. This makes them different from other parts of speech. Let’s see how interjections fit into sentences and help express feelings more vividly.

Interjections at the Beginning of a Sentence

Interjections can also be used at the start of a sentence to set the tone for what comes next. When placed at the beginning, they’re usually followed by a comma to separate them from the rest of the sentence.

“Oh, I forgot my keys on the table.”

“Hey, are you coming to the party later?”

Interjections in the Middle of a Sentence

Though less common, interjections can appear in the middle of a sentence. When they do, they’re often set off by commas or dashes to make them stand out. Placing an interjection in the middle can add drama or show that the speaker is thinking or reacting as they speak.

“I was walking through the park when, yikes, a squirrel jumped out of the bushes!”

“This recipe is, hmm, missing something. Maybe salt?”

Interjections at the End of a Sentence

Sometimes, an interjection can come at the end of a sentence to add a final touch of emotion or surprise. Ending a sentence with an interjection helps convey the speaker’s feelings after stating the main point.

“I can’t believe we finished the project on time, phew!”

“You remembered to bring the tickets, right? Good!”

Interjections and Punctuation

When using interjections in sentences, punctuation plays a key role in how the expression is understood. Since interjections are short, the way you punctuate them can change the tone and meaning. An exclamation mark adds excitement or urgency, while a comma makes the interjection feel softer and less intense.

Exclamation Marks (!)

The most common punctuation mark used with interjections is the exclamation mark. It adds emphasis and shows that the emotion is strong or immediate.

“Wow! That was an amazing performance!”

“Ouch! I stubbed my toe!”

Commas (,)

Sometimes, interjections are not as intense, and you want to express a softer reaction or introduce the interjections into a sentence. In these cases, a comma is used after the interjections.

“Hmm, I’m not sure what to do next.”

“Oh, I didn’t realize it was your birthday today!”

Periods (.)

When a period is used, it changes the tone of the interjection to something more neutral or calm. This is suitable for more formal writing or when the emotion isn’t strong.

“Oh. I see what you mean now.”

Ellipses (…)

Ellipses are used when the speaker trails off or when an interjection is followed by a pause or an unfinished thought. This creates a sense of hesitation or uncertainty.

“Well… I guess we’ll have to try again.”

“Hmm… that sounds like a good idea, but I’m not sure.”

List of Interjections

Conclusion

Interjections are a small but mighty part of English grammar that brings conversations and writing to life. By expressing emotions quickly and naturally, interjections help us communicate how we feel in a way that words alone sometimes can’t capture. From simple exclamations like “Wow!” and “Oops!” to thoughtful pauses like “Um…”, interjections add personality and emotion to what we say and write.

Now that you’ve learned about the different types of interjections and how they fit into sentences, try listening for them in your daily conversations or using them in your writing to make it more engaging. Remember, using interjections thoughtfully will help you maintain clear and effective communication.

FAQs About Interjections