An interjection is an exclamation expressing emotion with no grammatical value, primarily used in speech. They are often set off by commas or exclamation points, depending on the emotion expressed, with numerous examples illustrating their use in various contexts. Common interjections include terms like 'oh', 'uh', and 'ouch', which convey surprise, hesitation, or pain.

1. Definitions and Uses

2. An interjection is an
exclamation that
expresses
feeling or emotion.

3. They have no grammatical value
but we use them quite often,
usually more in speaking than in
writing.
When interjections are inserted into
a sentence, they have no
grammatical connection to the
sentence.

4. Interjections like er and um
are also known as hesitation
devices.
They are extremely common in
English.
People use them when they don’t
know what to say, or to indicate that
they are thinking about what to say.

5. Interjections are set off by
either one or two commas or
an exclamation point. Generally,
use commas to set off interjections
expressing mild emotion, a
exclamation
points to set off those expressing
strong
emotions.

7. Examples
SURPRISE:
Oh, we did not expect you today.
JOY:
Goodness! How good it is to see you soon.
PAIN:
Ouch! He stubbed his toe!
HESITATION:
I can’t explain, uh, exactly how it happened.
IMPATIENCE:
Tsk! I think we’ve waited long enough.

8. Ah
1. Expressing pleasure:
Ah, that feels good.
2. Expressing realization:
Ah, now I understand.
3. Expressing resignation:
Ah well, it can’t be helped.
4. Expressing surprise:
Ah, I’ve won!

9. alas
Expressing grief or pity:
Alas, she’s dead now.

10. dear
1. Expressing pity:
Oh dear! Does it hurt?
2. Expressing surprise:
Dear me! That’s a surprise!

11. eh
1.Asking for repetition:
“Eh?” “I said it’s hot today.”
2. Asking inquiry:
What do you think of that, eh?
3. Expressing surprise:
Eh! Really?
4. Inviting agreement:
Let’s go, eh?

12. er
Expressing hesitation:
Lima is the capital of… er…
Peru.

13. Hello, hullo
1. Expressing greeting:
Hello John. How are you today?
2. Expressing surprise:
Hello! My car is gone!

14. hey
1. Calling attention:
Hey! Look at that!
2. Expressing surprise:
Hey! What a good idea!

15. hi
Expressing greeting:
Hi! What’s new?

16. hmm
Expressing hesitation, doubt or
disagreement:
Hmmm, I’m not so sure.

17. Oh/O
1. Expressing surprise:
Oh! You’re here!
2. Expressing pain:
Oh! I’ve got a toothache.
3.Expressing pleading:
Oh, please say ‘yes’.

18. Ouch
Expressing pain:
Ouch! That hurts!

19. uh
Expressing hesitation:
Uh…I don’t know the
answer to that.

20. uh-huh
Expressing agreement:
“Shall we go?”
“Uh-huh.”

21. Um, umm
Expressing hesitation:
85 divided by 5 is…um…
17.

22. well
1. Expressing surprise:
Well, I never!
2. Introducing a remark:
Well, what did he say?

23. Sources
•Prentice Hall Writing Grammar
pages 181-184
•English Grammar Android App
(Zayan Inc.)