Overview: Interjections | Basic English Grammar for Competitive Exams - Bank Exams PDF Download

Introduction of Interjections

An interjection is a word or phrase used to express a feeling or to request or demand something. While interjections are a part of speech, they are not grammatically connected to other parts of a sentence. Interjections are common in everyday speech and informal writing. While some interjections such as “well” and “indeed” are acceptable in formal conversation, it’s best to avoid interjections in formal or academic writing.

Use of Interjection Words

• Yes! I can do it easily.
• Good! Now we can celebrate the party.
• Oh! What’s a surprise.
• Hey! Get out of the building!
• No! I run so long.
• Well! I have a good news.

Types of Interjection

1. Interjections for Joy: Joyful adverbs: This type of interjection words are used in sentences to indicate immediate joy or happiness on any happy occasion.

For Ex:

• Wow! You are looking very beautiful.
• Good! Now we can move on.
• Hurray! We successfully won this match.

In these examples Wow! – Excellent / Wow!, Good! – Good!, Hurray! – Hurray! This is a delightful element, besides Great! – Oh wow!, Thanks! - Thank you! This is also some joyful element.

2. Interjections for Surprise: Oh my God!, Ha!, What!, My Goodness!, Fantastic!, Hey!, Amazing!, Ah!, Oh! These exclamatory adverbs are used to express a feeling of wonder about something.

For Ex:

• Ah! I got new job.
• What! He died.
• Oh! Really you completed the task, I can’t believe.

In these sentences Ah!(Ah!), What!(What!), Oh!(Oh!) It is an exclamatory adverb.

3. Interjections for Sorrow: This type of adverb is used in a sentence to express an unfortunate event or a feeling of sadness.

For Ex:

• Oh my God!
• How sad!
• So sorry!
• Oh no!
• How tragic!
• Alas! He is no more.

4. Interjections for Approval: To Express Consent: The assent clause is used in a sentence to express a sense of approval or agreement to something.

For Ex:

• Please!
• Well done! You win the race.
• True!
• Bravo! That was fantastic!
• Sure!
• Certainly!

Solved Exercise

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with suitable interjections.
_____! I can't believe we won the lottery!

Wow!
"Wow" is used to express surprise or amazement.

_____, I don't know if I can finish this assignment on time.

Ugh
"Ugh" is used to express disgust or disappointment.

_____, I think I left my wallet at home.

Oops
"Oops" is used to acknowledge a minor mistake.

_____, that's a beautiful sunset.

Oh
"Oh" is used to express a reaction to something, in this case, admiration.

_____! Be careful with that hot pan!

Yikes
"Yikes" is used to express shock or alarm.

Exercise 2: Identify the interjections in the following sentences.
Ouch! That really hurt.

Ouch
"Ouch" is used to express sudden pain or discomfort.

Hey, can you help me with this problem?

Hey
"Hey" is used to get someone's attention or to greet someone.

Oh no, I forgot my keys!

Oh no
"Oh no" is used to express realization of a problem or mistake.

Hurray! Our team won the match.

Hurray
"Hurray" is used to express joy or celebration.

Alas, we couldn't save the sinking ship.

Alas
"Alas" is used to express grief or disappointment.

Exercise 3: Choose the correct interjection for each situation.
When you see a friend after a long time: (a) Yuck (b) Hey (c) Ouch

(b) Hey
"Hey" is used to greet someone or get their attention.

When you accidentally spill coffee on your shirt: (a) Hurray (b) Oops (c) Aha

(b) Oops
"Oops" is used to acknowledge a minor mistake.

When you finally understand a difficult concept: (a) Aha (b) Yikes (c) Huh

(a) Aha
"Aha" is used to express sudden realization or understanding.

When you taste something you don't like: (a) Yuck (b) Wow (c) Oh

(a) Yuck
"Yuck" is used to express disgust or disapproval.

When you're scared by a sudden noise: (a) Alas (b) Eww (c) Yikes

(c) Yikes
"Yikes" is used to express shock or alarm.