Interjections: Definition and Types | The Parts of Speech in English Grammar

Summary

In this video, Jennifer from Sparkle English teaches about interjections, one of the eight parts of speech. She explains that interjections are words used to express emotion and can be placed anywhere in a sentence. Jennifer covers different types of interjections: primary (e.g., 'wow,' 'oops'), secondary (e.g., 'man,' 'awesome'), volative (used to give commands), emotive (expressing emotions), and cognitive (showing thought processes). She also highlights how punctuation can change the emphasis of interjections. The lesson concludes with a quiz to reinforce the learning.

Takeaways

• 😀 Interjections are words or utterances used to express emotions or emphasize sentences.
• 😮 Interjections can be placed before, after, or in the middle of sentences, and can also stand alone.
• ✍️ Interjections are often punctuated with commas or exclamation marks, depending on the level of emotion.
• 📚 Interjections are mainly used in informal writing, such as texting or casual conversations, and are less common in formal writing.
• 🤩 Primary interjections include words like 'yikes,' 'wow,' 'oops,' and 'phew' which only serve as interjections.
• 👦 Secondary interjections are words like 'boy,' 'man,' 'awesome,' and 'nice,' which can also function as nouns or adjectives.
• 🗣️ Volative interjections give commands, such as 'shh,' 'shoo,' or 'enough,' often followed by imperative sentences.
• 💬 Emotive interjections express emotions like surprise, relief, disgust, or pain, such as 'ouch,' 'ugh,' and 'oh.'
• 🤔 Cognitive interjections express thoughts or hesitation, like 'um,' 'hmm,' 'aha,' and 'uh.'
• 📝 Punctuation varies with interjections, using commas, exclamation marks, or ellipses depending on the expression or thought process.

Q & A

What are interjections in English?

Interjections are words or utterances used to express emotion, often serving as little bursts of emotion to add emphasis to sentences.

Where can interjections be placed in a sentence?

Interjections can be placed before, after, or in the middle of a sentence. They can also stand alone.

How are interjections typically punctuated?

Interjections can be punctuated with either commas or exclamation marks, depending on the desired emphasis. For example, 'Wow, she is so talented' versus 'Wow! She is so talented.'

In what kind of writing are interjections commonly used?

Interjections are most commonly used in informal writing, such as when typing to friends, writing informal emails, or in novels and short stories. They are typically avoided in formal writing.

What are primary interjections?

Primary interjections are words that function only as interjections and cannot serve as other parts of speech. Examples include 'yikes,' 'wow,' 'oops,' and 'ouch.'

What are secondary interjections?

Secondary interjections are words that can serve as both interjections and other parts of speech. Examples include 'boy,' 'man,' 'awesome,' 'well,' and 'incredible.'

What are volative interjections used for?

Volative interjections are used to give commands and are often followed by imperative sentences. Examples include 'shh' (to ask for silence), 'shoo' (to ask someone to go away), and 'enough' (to stop a conversation).

What are emotive interjections?

Emotive interjections express emotions or reactions to something. Examples include 'ouch,' 'ew,' 'ugh,' 'phew,' and 'oh.'

What are cognitive interjections, and when are they used?

Cognitive interjections express thoughts or the thought process when someone is thinking. Examples include 'um,' 'uh,' 'hmm,' and 'aha,' commonly used when hesitating or thinking.

How are cognitive interjections typically punctuated?

Cognitive interjections can be punctuated with commas, exclamation marks, or even ellipses to show hesitation or thought. For example, 'hmm...' suggests that someone is thinking deeply.