Interjection: Definition & Types with Examples

 

Lesson 8 

Definition of Interjection with Examples

Merriam-Webster defines interjection as "An interjection is a word or phrase that is grammatically independent from the words around it, and mainly expresses feeling rather than meaning.".

Cambridge Dictionary writes about interjections "We use interjections to express emotions such as pleasure, surprise, shock and disgust. Most interjections are just sounds, rather than actual words, and come at the beginning or at the end of what we say. Interjections are more common in speaking than in writing.".

According to the above-mentioned definitions, we learn that:

1. An injection is a part of speech.

2. An interjection is a word or phrase. 

3. An interjection is grammatically independent (interjections are not governed by grammar.).

4. Most of the interjections are just sounds, while some of them are words and phrases.

5. Interjections are used to express emotions and feelings like surprise, pleasure, shock, disgust, happiness, fear, sorrow, pain, admiration, joy, celebration, etc. 

In the following examples, ‘Hurrah’, ‘Alas’ and ‘Wow’ are interjections used to convey joy, sorrow and surprise respectively. 

Examples:

(a) Hurrah! We have won the game. 

(b) Alas! My grandpa is dead. 

(c) Wow! This is amazing. 

Common Types of Interjections

1. Interjections of Joy or Happiness

 Hurray/Hurrah and Yippee

Examples:

(a) Hurray! We've won the match. 

(b) Hurrah! I've got the first prize. 

(c) Yippee! We're going on vacation tomorrow.

2. Interjections of Sorrow or Sadness

• Alas, Aah and Boohoo

Examples:

(a) Alas! My grandma met an accident and died yesterday.  

(b) Boohoo! She is crying inside. 

(c) Aah! I've lost all the money I had. 

3. Interjections of Surprise 

 Wow, Whoa, My goodness.

Examples:

(a) Wow! Your car is beautiful. 

(b) Whoa! You got such a wonderful job. 

(c) My goodness! What a loud noise! 

4. Interjections of Pain 

Ow and Ouch 

Examples:

(a) Ow! It hurts badly.

(b) Ouch! Don't touch the injured area. It hurts. 

5. Interjections of Anger 

Grr and Argh 

Examples:

(a) Grr! What a childish behaviour! 

(b) Argh! The machine is not running well. 

6. Interjections of Hesitation

Uh and Um and er. 

Examples:

(a) Uh! I have no answer. 

(b) This is, um, my brother's house. 

(c) The capital of India is, er... Delhi. 

7. Interjections of Approval

Great!, Brilliant!, Well done!, Bravo!

Examples:

(a) Great! Your posts are really helpful. 

(b) Brilliant! You have a very good memory. 

(c) Well done! Your answer is absolutely fine. 

(d) Bravo! You've scored in the test more than everyone did! 

8. Interjections of Attention

Hey!, Look! And Hush 

Examples:

(a) Hey! What are you doing there? 

(b) Look! Your teacher is coming. 

(c) Hush! Somebody is approaching you.

Exercise 1 

Specify the types of the interjections in bold. 

(a) Hurrah! We've got the first prize. 

(b) Alas! My grandpa is dead. 

(c) Great! You've done a great job. 

(d) Hey there! What's up? 

(e) My brother is, um, a doctor. 

Answer keys:-

(a) Interjection of Joy 

(b) Interjection of Sorrow

(c) Interjection of Approval

(d) Interjection of Attention

(e) Interjection of Hesitation

Exercise 2 

Fill in the blanks with appropriate interjections.

(a)......your car is beautiful. 

(b)...... today is holiday.

(c)...... It hurts me. 

(d)...... you've done your homework. (Know more about homework )

(e)...... What a disgusting behaviour! 

Answer keys:- 

(a) Wow! 

(b) Yay! or Yippee!

(c) Aw! or Ouch! 

(d) Well done! or Great!

(e) Grr! or Argh!