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Interjection Definition, Examples and Its Usages

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Interjections: An Interjection is a word or expression that occurs as a remark on its own and expresses a spontaneous feeling or emotion. It encompasses many different parts of speech, such as exclamations (ouch!, wow!), curses (damn!), greetings (hey, bye), response particles (okay, oh!, mm-hm, huh?), hesitation markers (uh, er, um), and other words (stop, cool). A word or phrase that is grammatically independent of the words that express feelings rather than emotions.  

Definition of Interjection

According to the definition given by Merriam Webster Dictionary, “An interjection is a word or phrase that is grammatically independent of the words around it, and mainly expresses feeling rather than meaning”.

The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines interjection as “a short sound, word, or phrase spoken suddenly to express an emotion.”

According to the Cambridge dictionary, an interjection is “a word that is used to show a short sudden expression of emotion.” 

Examples of Interjection

Some of the examples of interjection are-

  • Hello! what are you doing there?
  • Alas! He is dead.
  • Hurrah! we have won the game.
  • Ah! Have they gone?
  • Oh! I got such a fright.
  • Hush! Don't make a noise

These expressions such as Hello!, Alas!, Hurrah!, Ah!, Hush!, etc. express emotions or feelings and are used as interjections in the sentences.

Uses of Interjections

Some of the uses of interjection are-

  • Interjection can be used at the start of the sentence to add emotional impact to the sentence.
  • Interjections are useful to make questions or rhetorical questions.
  • Using interjection at the start invites someone else to share their thoughts with you.
  • Using interjections in the middle of the sentences helps to convey feelings of uncertainty or doubt.

Types of Interjections

Interjections are words and expression which is used to feelings or emotions. There are two types of interjections, but basically, there are two types of interjections-

Types Meaning InterjectionsExamples
Primary InjectionsSuch interjections are exclusive interjections and are not classified as part of speechPhew, Wow, Oh, Blah, Huh, Aw, God, Oops, Hurray, Yuck, Gee, Ugh, Ouch, Alas, Geez, Meh
  • Oops, My bad.
  • Wow! You had time to join us.
  • Alas! I couldn’t be there on time.
Secondary Interjection Nouns, adjectives, and other parts of speech that occasionally act as an interjectionsIndeed, Goodness!, Holy cow!
  • Indeed, I was waiting for your premonitions.
  • Goodness! How did you go through all these books in a day?
  • Holy cow! You're the last person I expected.

Based on the severity of the expressions, Interjections are categorized into two types -

Types MeaningInterjectionsExamples
Mild Interjection Such interjections express mild feelings and emotions.Oh, Well, Hmm
  • Oh, I was looking for you.
  • Well, it wasn't very easy.
  • Hmm, I'm doing well.
 Strong Interjection Interjections that express strong outbursts of feelings.Yay!, Bingo!, Ouch!
  • Yay! I finally passed.
  • Bingo! Found it.
  • Ouch! That hurt.

Based on the kind of emotions conveyed, Interjections are divided into three categories -

TypesMeaningInterjectionsExamples
Volitive Interjection Commands, requests, and wishes are usually expressed by this interjection Shh!, Ahem!, Psst!
  • Shh (I want you to be quiet) - Shh! We have to keep it quiet.
  • Ahem (I request your attention) - Ahem! I was looking at another problem.
  • Psst (I want to attract attention in secrecy) - Psst! I've started working out.
Emotive InterjectionWords that express such spur of emotions such as joy, sorrow, delight, fear, disgust, etc.Ugh!, Ouch!, Yippee!
  • Ugh (I feel disgusted) - Ugh! What is that filthy smell?
  • Ouch (I feel hurt) - Ouch! These ants sting.
  • Yippee (I feel elated) - Yippee! We ended the year victorious.
Cognitive Interjection Such interjections convey the feelings and emotions which people understand through experience. Well, Bravo!, Gosh,
  • Well, I'll try harder.
  • Bravo! What a performance!
  • Gosh, you're so fast.
Interjections- FAQs

Ans. An interjection is a word or phrase that is grammatically independent of the words around it, and mainly expresses feeling rather than meaning.

Ans. Some of the examples of interjection are- Hello! what are you doing there? Alas! He is dead. Hurrah! we have won the game.

Ans. Some of the uses of interjection are- Interjection can be used at the start of the sentence to add emotional impact to the sentence. Interjections are useful to make questions or rhetorical questions. Using interjection at the start invites someone else to share their thoughts with you. Using interjections in the middle of the sentences helps to convey feelings of uncertainty or doubt.

Ans. Basically there are two types of interjections, that is, Primary interjection and Secondary interjections. To know more you can read above.

Ans. Phew, Wow, Oh, Blah, Huh, Aw, God, Oops, Hurray, Yuck, Gee, Ugh, Ouch, Alas, Geez, Meh, Indeed, Goodness!, Holy cow!, Oh, Well, Hmm, Yay!, Bingo!, Ouch!,  Shh!, Ahem!, Psst!, Ugh!, Ouch!, Yippee!, Well, Bravo!, Gosh.

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