Interjections - express some sudden emotions or feelings
 
TYPES OF INTERJECTIONS

Types of interjections in English Grammar

What are types of interjections?

"Interjections have importance in sentence formation while expressing some emotions and reactions."

Interjection is a word, used to express some sudden emotions or feelings like surprise, joy, anger grief, wonder, fear, apology etc. They are usually followed by an exclamation mark. Interjections are no way connected grammatically with other parts of sentences.

Interjection can be divided into several kinds on various principles. Types of interjections are:

Primary interjections
Secondary interjections
Cognitive interjections
Volitive interjections
Emotive interjections
Understand the meaning and usage of different type of interjection words:
1. Primary interjections
The words or sounds that only have a single meaning are known as primary interjections. They cannot play the role of nouns, verbs, or adjectives in a sentence.
Examples:
  • Ouch! That hurt.
  • Aha! I found the key.
  • Eww! That heap is dirty.
  • Yay! Our team won the match.
  • Wow! You had time to join us.
  • Alas! I couldn’t be there on time.
  • Bravo! You jumped perfectly above the hoop.
2. Secondary interjections
A secondary interjection is a word that primarily functions as a different part of speech, such as a noun, verb, or adjective. However, it can be employed as an interjection in certain contexts.
Examples:
  • Indeed, I was waiting for your first warning.
  • Help, I’m stuck in quicksand! (Here “help” is a verb)
  • Goodness! How did you go through all these 5 books in a day?
  • Damn! These questions are hard to answer. (Here “damn” is a verb)
  • Awesome! We can now party all night. (Here “awesome” is an adjective)
  • Crazy! I saw a shark in the Pacific Ocean. (Here “crazy” is an adjective)
  • Heavens! I had no idea you were planning a surprise. (Here, “heavens” is a noun)
3. Cognitive interjections
A word or phrase that expresses what a person is thinking is known as a cognitive interjection. Such interjections require a reaction from the listener/receiver in the conversation.
Examples:
  • Gosh, you are so fast.
  • Well, I will try harder.
  • Eureka! I’ve figured out the solution.
  • Oh, I see! So the packaging is complete then?
  • Yup, that’s exactly what I meant! Now what should we do?
  • Huh! This means the experiment is possible. Should we do it then?
  • I see! So Sherlock Holmes is the protagonist. Who is the antagonist then?
4. Volitive interjections
The words that are used to express orders, make demands, and requests are known as volitive interjections. They are often emphatic and are said with the expectation of fast action from the listener/receiver.
Examples:
  • Be quiet, he’s coming! (Request)
  • Ahem! Please pay attention. (Request)
  • Hush! Can you please talk softly? (Request)
  • Shh! I can’t focus when you’re singing. (Request)
  • Psst! Come here! I need to tell you something important. (Order)
  • Shh! Someone is coming, I can hear the sound of footsteps. (Order)
  • March forward! We must keep moving till we reach our destination. (Order)
5. Emotive interjections
The words or phrases that convey the speaker’s immediate emotional reaction to a situation, event, or statement are known as emotive interjections. They can be used to express various feelings like surprise, excitement, disgust, approval, sadness, disappointment, etc.
Examples:
  • Ouch! These ants sting. (feeling hurt)
  • Aww! That’s so sweet of you. (emotion- affection)
  • Ugh! What is that filthy smell? (feeling disgusted)
  • Gosh! It’s 5 pm now, I must leave. (emotion- sadness)
  • My goodness! This package is huge. (emotion- surprise)
  • Alas! I missed a golden opportunity. (emotion- sadness)
  • Oh, I wish I had seen him before he left! (emotion- regret)
Related Topics :
Types of Noun in English Language
Types of Pronoun in English Language
Types of Verb in English Language
Types of Adverb in English Language
Types of Adjective in English Language
Kinds of Preposition in English Language
Types of Conjunction in English Language
Uses of Interjection words in English Language

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