interjection

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A word or short phrase that expresses a sudden feeling, such as surprise, pain, or joy, and often stands alone.

   Grammar: Countable: one interjection, two interjections. It often appears at the start of a sentence and is followed by an exclamation mark.

   Patterns

   • an interjection like 'wow'
   • use an interjection
   • a sudden interjection

   'Ouch!' is an interjection that shows pain.

   She used the interjection 'wow' to show her surprise.

   In grammar class, we learned that 'hey' is an interjection.

2. 2nouncountable or uncountable

   The act of interrupting a conversation with a sudden remark.

   Grammar: Can be countable (an interjection) or uncountable (the act of interjecting).

   Patterns

   • make an interjection
   • without interjection

   His interjection during the meeting annoyed the chair.

   The discussion continued without any interjection from the audience.

Word forms

Common combinations

a sudden interjection

A sudden interjection from the back of the room surprised everyone.

use an interjection

Writers use an interjection to show a character's emotion.

common interjection

'Oh' is a common interjection in English.

interjection of surprise

'Wow!' is an interjection of surprise.

Synonyms and how they differ

exclamation

A broader term for any sudden cry or remark; an interjection is specifically a word class in grammar.

interruption

Focuses on breaking the flow of speech; an interjection can be a brief, polite addition.

Word family

interject verb

To say something suddenly while others are speaking.

Commonly confused: interjection or injection?

Practice

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