Exclamative sentences express strong emotion/surprise with an exclamation and they always end with an exclamation mark/point (!).
The usual word order for the exclamative sentence is:
- What (+ adjective) + noun + subject + verb
- How (+ adjective/adverb) + subject + verb
What Is an Exclamatory Sentence?
An exclamatory sentence is a type of sentence that expresses strong emotions or feelings such as surprise, excitement, anger, or joy. It is similar to a declarative sentence in that it makes a statement, but it is distinguished by the use of an exclamation point (“!”) at the end of the sentence.
Examples of exclamatory sentences include:
- Wow! That was amazing!
- Oh no! I missed my train.
- I can’t believe it! I won the lottery.
- What a beautiful sunset!
- I am so excited!
Exclamatory sentences are used to add emphasis or express strong emotions. They are often used in casual conversations, informal writing, and in literature to add a sense of drama or excitement to a scene or situation.
Points to Remember When Using Exclamatory Sentences
When using exclamatory sentences, here are a few points to keep in mind:
- Use exclamation marks sparingly: Because exclamatory sentences are used to express strong emotions, using them too often can make your writing or speech seem exaggerated or insincere.
- Use them to express strong emotions: Exclamatory sentences should be used to express strong emotions such as surprise, excitement, anger, or joy.
- Use them to add emphasis: Exclamatory sentences can also be used to add emphasis to a statement or to make a point more strongly.
- Use the correct punctuation: An exclamation point should be placed at the end of the exclamatory sentence.
- Be careful with negative exclamations: Exclamatory sentences can also be used to express negative emotions, but be careful when doing so as they may come across as insincere or rude.
- Use them to make a literary effect: Exclamatory sentences can be used in literature to add a sense of drama or excitement to a scene or situation, but again, use them wisely.
By following these guidelines, you can use exclamatory sentences effectively to express strong emotions and add emphasis to your writing and speech.
Examples of Exclamatory Sentences
Here are a few examples of exclamatory sentences:
- Wow! That was an incredible performance!
- Oh my goodness! I can’t believe I passed the test!
- What a beautiful day!
- I am so happy!
- That was so exciting!
- I can’t wait to see you!
- I’m so angry right now!
- What an amazing sight!
- I can’t believe I made that mistake!
- I’m so proud of you!
As you can see, exclamatory sentences are used to express strong emotions or feelings such as surprise, excitement, anger, and joy. They add emphasis or express strong opinions and are used in a variety of contexts, including conversation, writing, and literature.