Exclamations
Spoken Description
Learn how to use common exclamations in English, including words like wow, oh, ah, and accidental exclamations. Practice punctuation and sentence structure, and explore tone and context for natural spoken and written communication.
Lernen Sie englische Ausrücke und Interjektionen wie wow, oh, ah und überraschende Reaktionen, einschließlich entsprechender Zeichensetzung und Betonung. Verbessern Sie Ihre Sprech- und Schreibfähigkeiten für flüssigen, natürlichen Sprachgebrauch.
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Exclamations make speech more lively and show strong feeling. They often rely on intonation, word order, and sometimes small changes in wording. This guide works from basic patterns to more colorful expressions.
Basic Exclamations
Basic exclamations use what or how to highlight a noun or an adjective. They signal surprise, admiration, or other strong reactions.
What Exclamations
What exclamations focus on the noun and often add a short descriptive phrase. They keep attention on the thing or person that triggers the feeling.
| English Word(s) | English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| What a surprise! | What a mess! | |
| What an idea! | What a day! |
How Exclamations
How exclamations highlight an adjective or a way of being. They show intensity and often apply to qualities like size, speed, or appearance.
| English Word(s) | English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| How lovely! | How fast! | |
| How bright! | How tall! |
Intonation
Intonation—the rise and fall of your voice—carries much of the force in an exclamation. Saying the key word more loudly, more slowly, or with a higher pitch makes the feeling clear. In writing, exclamation marks show where strong tone would be.
Word Order
English maintains normal word order in exclamations, unlike some languages that invert or change endings. The emphasis comes from choosing what or how and from vocal stress, not from moving words around.
Short Exclamations
Short exclamations use single words or phrases and rely entirely on tone and context. They are quick reactions often used in conversation. Examples include interjections like wow, oh, ouch, and brief set phrases.
More Colorful Exclamations
More colorful exclamations add intensifiers, figurative language, or set expressions for extra flair. They often appear in spoken English, storytelling, and informal writing. Adding words like so, such, really, or comparisons increases impact.
Summary
Exclamations in English turn on small cues—choosing what or how, using normal word order, and marking strong intonation. The pattern is consistent: use what for nouns and how for adjectives. Short interjections add quick feeling. More vivid exclamations come from intensifiers and set phrases. Practice saying sentences aloud to feel the natural emphasis.
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