Exclamatory sentences are used to show strong feelings or emotions, such as excitement, surprise, happiness, or anger. These sentences are different because they end with an exclamation mark (!) to emphasize the strong emotion being expressed. You might use an exclamatory sentence when you’re excited about something, angry, amazed, or feeling any intense emotion. For example, “Wow, that was amazing!” shows excitement, while “I can’t believe this is happening!” expresses surprise. Exclamatory sentences help make the emotions behind the words clear and more intense for the reader or listener.
What Is An Exclamatory Sentence?
An exclamatory sentence is a type of sentence that shows strong emotions, like excitement, surprise, happiness, or anger. These sentences are different from others because they end with an exclamation mark (!) to emphasize the emotion being expressed. Exclamatory sentences can convey a wide range of feelings, such as joy, shock, admiration, or frustration.
Key features of exclamatory sentences include:
- Expressive Tone: These sentences are used to show strong reactions or feelings.
- Exclamation Mark: An exclamation mark at the end of the sentence makes it clear that the speaker is feeling something strongly.
- Word Order: The sentence structure is often the same as declarative sentences (subject-verb-object), but it’s the context and the use of the exclamation mark that make it exclamatory.
In simple terms, an exclamatory sentence helps people express intense feelings. Whether you’re amazed by something or frustrated, an exclamatory sentence helps to clearly show how you feel. It stands out in both writing and speaking because of its emotional impact.
Examples of Exclamatory Sentences
Exclamatory sentences express strong emotions or feelings. They often end with an exclamation mark. Here are some examples:
- What a beautiful day it is!
- I can’t believe it—amazing!
- How wonderful the party was!
- Wow, that’s impressive!
- What a surprise to see you!
- Oh no, I forgot my keys!
- How cool is that gadget!
- Yikes, it’s raining!
- What a fantastic idea for a game!
- Bravo, you did it!
- How tasty the pizza is!
- Oh dear, I missed the bus!
- What a great movie we watched!
- Hooray, we won the game!
- How cute the puppy is!
- Oops, I dropped my phone!
- What a lovely surprise party!
- Wow, look at that sunset!
- How exciting this news is!
- Oh my goodness, it’s snowing!
- What a fantastic day at the beach!
- Yippee, it’s my birthday!
- How amazing your artwork is!
- Oh wow, I can’t believe it!
- What a great time we had together!
Exclamatory Sentences Starting with “What” and “How”?
Exclamatory sentences that start with “What” or “How” are often used to show surprise, admiration, or strong feelings. These sentences help express emotions more strongly and are usually followed by an exclamation mark to emphasize the emotion.
Here are some examples of exclamatory sentences starting with “What”:
- What a beautiful sunset that is!
- What an interesting book you recommended!
- What a surprise party they organized for her!
- What a delicious aroma is coming from the kitchen!
- What an amazing performance by the orchestra!
And here are examples starting with “How”:
- How thrilling the roller coaster ride was!
- How wonderful it is to see you after so long!
- How beautiful the flowers look in the garden!
- How surprised I am to find you here!
- How delicious this chocolate cake tastes!
Structure of Exclamatory Sentences:
- Interjection or Subject (Optional): Many exclamatory sentences start with an interjection, which is a word or phrase that shows strong emotion. Alternatively, the subject of the sentence (who or what the sentence is about) can be used.
- Verb: The verb shows the action or state of being in the sentence.
- Object (Optional): An object might follow the verb, showing what or who is affected by the action.
Punctuation:
Exclamatory sentences always end with an exclamation mark (!) to highlight the strong emotion or emphasis in the statement.
For example:
- What a beautiful sunset!
- Interjection: What
- Verb: beautiful
- Object: sunset
- Punctuation: Exclamation mark for emphasis.
- How incredible the fireworks display was!
- Interjection: How
- Verb: incredible
- Object: the fireworks display
- Punctuation: Exclamation mark for emphasis.
These sentences are special because they make the emotions or feelings of the speaker clear and help convey surprise, excitement, or admiration in a stronger way.
Difference Between an Exclamatory Sentence and Other Types of Sentences
The four main types of sentences are declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory. Each type has a specific purpose and structure. Here’s a simple breakdown of each type and how they differ:
1. Declarative Sentences:
- Purpose: Declarative sentences are used to make statements or provide information.
- Structure: They typically have a subject, a verb, and sometimes an object (e.g., Subject + Verb + Object).
- Punctuation: They end with a period (full stop).
- Example: “She is going to the store.”
2. Interrogative Sentences:
- Purpose: Interrogative sentences are used to ask questions.
- Structure: They usually start with a question word (like who, what, where, when, why, or how), followed by the subject and verb (e.g., Question word + Subject + Verb).
- Punctuation: They end with a question mark.
- Example: “Where are you going?”
3. Imperative Sentences:
- Purpose: Imperative sentences give commands or make requests.
- Structure: They often start with the verb (e.g., Verb + Object). The subject is often implied, like “you.”
- Punctuation: They can end with a period or an exclamation mark for stronger emphasis.
- Example: “Close the door.”
4. Exclamatory Sentences:
- Purpose: Exclamatory sentences express strong emotions or excitement.
- Structure: They can start with an interjection (a word showing strong feeling) or a subject, followed by a verb and object.
- Punctuation: They always end with an exclamation mark to show excitement or emphasis.
- Example: “What a beautiful sunset!”
Key Differences:
- Declarative vs. Interrogative vs. Imperative: These sentences are used for making statements, asking questions, or giving commands. They typically end with a period or a question mark.
- Exclamatory Sentences: Exclamatory sentences are different because they express strong emotions or surprise. They always end with an exclamation mark and have a more emotional tone than the others.
Examples:
- Declarative: “The sun is shining.” (A statement)
- Interrogative: “Is the sun shining?” (A question)
- Imperative: “Close the door.” (A command)
- Exclamatory: “What a beautiful day!” (A strong expression of joy)
These sentence types help us express different things in communication, whether we’re sharing information, asking for something, giving instructions, or showing strong feelings.
Common Words Used in Exclamatory Sentences
Exclamatory sentences often include words and phrases that express strong emotions, enthusiasm, or surprise.
Here are some common words and expressions used in:
- What: What a beautiful day!
- How: How amazing that performance was!
- Wow: Wow, that’s incredible!
- Oh: Oh no, I forgot my keys!
- Yikes: Yikes, that was close!
- Hooray: Hooray, we won the game!
- Bravo: Bravo, you did it!
- Alas: Alas, I missed the opportunity!
- Fantastic: Fantastic, we got the job!
- Amazing: Amazing, you’re so talented!
- Oops: Oops, I made a mistake!
- Oh my goodness: Oh my goodness, it’s a surprise!
- Phew: Phew, that was a relief!
- No way: No way, I can’t believe it!
- Unbelievable: Unbelievable, what a story!