An interjection is a kind of exclamation inserted into regular speech.
Actually, it is a brief and abrupt pause in speech for expressing emotions.
They are
unique and have some interesting features:
o
Interjections don’t have a grammatical
function in sentence construction.
o
They usually cannot be modified or
inflected.
o
They do not have to have a relation to the
other parts of the sentence.
o
They are highly context-sensitive.
In spoken language, interjections are the words we instantly use to
show our reaction to something which influences our emotion. They are the
initial reaction and sometimes do not even make sense. However, for formal
speech or writing, using interjections is not appropriate.
·
Primary Interjection
·
Secondary Interjection
·
Mild Interjection
·
Strong Interjection
·
Volitive Interjection
·
Emotive Interjection
·
Cognitive Interjection
There are basically two types of it and they are -
1.2.1.1
Primary Interjection
The words that are exclusively interjections and cannot be
classified as any other Parts of Speech are called Primary Interjections.
Examples:
|
List
of Primary Interjections |
|||
|
Phew |
Wow |
Oh |
Blah |
|
Huh |
Aw |
God |
Oops |
|
Hurray |
Yuck |
Gee |
Ugh |
|
Ouch |
Alas |
Geez |
Meh |
o
Oops, My bad.
o
Wow! You had time to join us.
o
Alas! I couldn’t be there on time.
1.2.1.2
Secondary Interjection
The Nouns, Adjectives, and other Parts of Speech
that act as interjections on occasions are called Secondary Interjections.
Examples:
o
Indeed, I was waiting for your premonitions.
o
Goodness! How did you go through all these books in
a day?
o
Holy cow! You're the last person I expected.
Based on the severity of the expressions, Interjections are
categorized into two types -
1.2.1.3
Mild Interjection
The
relatively mild expression of feelings and emotions is usually called Mild
Interjections. These types are typically separated from the rest of the
sentence by commas.
Examples:
o
Oh, I was looking for you.
o
Well, it wasn't very easy.
o
Hmm, I'm doing well.
1.2.2
Strong Interjection
The
strong outbursts of expression are determined as Strong Interjections. These
types are typically separated from the rest of the sentence by exclamation
marks.
Examples:
o
Yay! I finally passed.
o
Bingo! Found it.
o
Ouch! That hurt.
Based on the kind of emotions conveyed, Interjections are divided
into three categories -
1.2.2.1
Volitive Interjection
Commands, requests, and wishes are usually expressed with Volitive Interjections. In the speech, "I
want" expressions are replaced with Volitive Interjections.
"Enough"
expresses the wish to stop listening to someone and maybe put forward a
contesting statement. "Shoo" tends to express the speaker's wish to
drive someone away.
Examples:
o
Shh (I want you to be quiet) - Shh! We have to keep it quiet.
o
Ahem (I request your attention) - Ahem! I was looking at another problem.
o
Psst (I want to attract attention in
secrecy) - Psst! I've started working
out.
1.2.2.2
Emotive Interjection
The words to express sudden spur of emotions like surprise, delight,
sorrow, disgust and fear are Emotive Interjections. These types usually replace the "I
feel" expressions in speech.
"Eww"
means to convey - "I feel disgusted" and "Phew" means to
express - "I feel relieved".
Examples:
o
Ugh (I feel disgusted) - Ugh! What is that filthy smell?
o
Ouch (I feel hurt) - Ouch! These ants sting.
o
Yippee (I feel elated) - Yippee! We ended the year victorious.
1.2.2.3
Cognitive Interjection
Words that are born off cognition and used as exclamations are
called Cognitive Interjections. These types are used to convey the feelings
and emotions that people come across and understand through experience.
Examples:
o
Well, I'll try harder.
o
Bravo! What a performance!
o
Gosh, you're so fast.
1.2.2.4
Interjections mainly have four
roles:
Rule 1: Interjections express a sudden mood, emotions, and feeling with
emphasis. There are also many taboo words that are usually used in everyday
conversation but not in formal aspects. These words fall into the category of
interjections.
Example:
o
Wow! That’s an amazing scene.
o
Aw, I did not want him to come.
o
What? You never told me that!
Rule 2: Some interjections interrupt a conversation or a thought or hold
someone’s attention for a moment. These are just sounds, not words because
these sounds do not make any sense.
Example:
o
Your, um,
shirt has a stain on the back.
o
I want to, uh, ask you out on a date.
Rule 3: Some interjections express only yes or no.
Example:
o
Yes! I will most definitely do it.
o
Nah, we are not going.
Rule 4: Some are used to get someone’s attention.
Example:
o
Yo, Alex! Get in the car!
o
Hey! Will you give me that ball?
o
Yoo-hoo! Is there anyone?