INTERJECTIONSDefinitions and Uses

An interjection is an exclamation that expresses feeling or emotion.

They have no grammatical value but we use them quite often, usually more in speaking than in writing. When interjections are inserted into a sentence, they have no grammatical connection to the sentence.

Interjections like er and um are also known as hesitation devices. They are extremely common in English.People use them when they don’t know what to say, or to indicate that they are thinking about what to say.

Interjections are set off by either one or two commas or an exclamation point. Generally, use commas to set off interjections expressing mild emotion, a exclamation points to set off those expressing strong emotions.

INERJECTIONS AND THEIR MEANINGS

ExamplesSURPRISE:Oh, we did not expect you today.

JOY:Goodness! How good it is to see you soon.

PAIN:Ouch! He stubbed his toe!

HESITATION:I can’t explain, uh, exactly how it happened.

IMPATIENCE:Tsk! I think we’ve waited long enough.

Ah1. Expressing pleasure:Ah, that feels good.

2. Expressing realization:Ah, now I understand.

3. Expressing resignation:Ah well, it can’t be helped.

4. Expressing surprise:Ah, I’ve won!

alasExpressing grief or pity:

Alas, she’s dead now.

dear1. Expressing pity:Oh dear! Does it hurt?

2. Expressing surprise:Dear me! That’s a surprise!

eh1.Asking for repetition: “Eh?” “I said it’s hot today.”

2. Asking inquiry:What do you think of that, eh?

3. Expressing surprise:Eh! Really?

4. Inviting agreement:Let’s go, eh?

erExpressing hesitation:Lima is the capital of… er… Peru.

Hello, hullo1. Expressing greeting:Hello John. How are you today?

2. Expressing surprise:Hello! My car is gone!

hey1. Calling attention:Hey! Look at that!

2. Expressing surprise:Hey! What a good idea!

hiExpressing greeting:Hi! What’s new?

hmmExpressing hesitation, doubt ordisagreement:

Hmmm, I’m not so sure.

Oh/O1. Expressing surprise:Oh! You’re here!

2. Expressing pain:Oh! I’ve got a toothache.

3.Expressing pleading:Oh, please say ‘yes’.

OuchExpressing pain:Ouch! That hurts!

uhExpressing hesitation:Uh…I don’t know the answer to that.

uh-huhExpressing agreement:“Shall we go?” “Uh-huh.”

Um, ummExpressing hesitation:85 divided by 5 is…um…17.

well1. Expressing surprise:Well, I never!

2. Introducing a remark:Well, what did he say?

Sources•Prentice Hall Writing Grammar pages 181-184

•English Grammar Android App(Zayan Inc.)