Definition and Types of Interjection
In this article, you will learn about the general definition of interjection, definition of interjection in major dictionaries, examples of interjection, types of interjection, and at last you will find a quiz on interjection with 10 MCQs to test your knowledge.
Definition of Interjection
Interjections are the words or group of words that are used to express and exclaim extreme emotions. These words are always used with an exclamation mark. Interjections do not have any grammatical function in a sentence. The words that are commonly used as Interjections are as follows:
Hurrah!, Alas!, Oh no!, Oh my God!, What!, etc.
Definition of Interjection in Major Dictionaries
Definitions of interjection vary according to different dictionaries.
Click here for the definition of interjection in Merriam-Webster dictionary.
Click here for the definition of interjection in Oxford Learner’s dictionary.
Types of Interjection
There are various types of interjections to express emotions such as happiness, surprise, sadness, anger and greetings. On such various types of emotions, we classified them into different types. Different types of interjection are elaborated below.
Interjections for Greeting
We use such interjections in sentences to show the emotions of warmness to the person meeting with.
Examples:
- Good morning! It’s great to see you.
- Hey! When you came here?
- Hello! I am Sadaf.
Interjections for Happiness
We use such interjections in sentences to show happiness or joy on any happy occasion.
Examples:
- Yay! We won!
- Hurrah! I’ve won!
- Wow! What a pleasant weather!
Interjections for Attention
We use such interjections in sentences to draw the attention of someone.
Examples:
- Hey! Let’s go on a picnic!
- Yo! What is going on?
- Look! Jam is so happy.
- Listen! I am starving.
Interjections for Approval
We use such interjections in sentences to show the sense of agreement or approval for something.
Examples:
- Well done! You got first position.
- Brilliant! You arrived here in time.
Interjections for Surprise
We use such interjections in sentences to indicate the sense of surprise about something that has happened.
Examples:
- Oh! What a lovely scene!
- Ah! It sounds good.
- What! She passed away.
Interjections for Sorrow
We use such interjections in sentences to express the emotion of sadness about something unfortunate has happened.
Examples:
- Alas! He could not recover from his illness.
- Ouch! That hurts.
- Oops, I’m sorry. It was hot.
- Alas! His friend died.
Interjections for Shock
We use such interjections in sentences to express the shock about something happened.
Examples:
- What! What have you done?
Interjections for Anger
Such interjections are used in sentences to express the anger about something unfortunate has happened by someone’s mistake or carelessness.
Examples:
- Excuse me! I am not a beggar.
Interjections in the form of phrases
Some interjections are used in common phrases. Few of them are stated as follows:
What the hell!, Goodness gracious!, Good Lord!, Oh my God!, Oh no!, What the heck!, What Goodness!, etc.
In this article you learned about definition of interjection, examples of interjection, and types of interjection. Visit our website www.literaryenglish.com for more articles.