exclamation

Everyday

1. An exclamation is a short, sudden word or phrase said loudly to show surprise, anger, pain, joy or another strong feeling, like «Wow!» or «Ouch!». tree →
2. An exclamation mark (UK) or exclamation point (US) is the punctuation mark «!». tree →

In the lessons

In English and grammar lessons pupils learn exclamation sentences, which start with «What» or «How» and end with «!», for example «What a big dog!». In stories exclamations show strong feelings. Phrases: exclamation mark, exclamation point, an exclamation of surprise.

Examples

• «Ouch!» is an exclamation of pain. tree →
• Put an exclamation mark at the end of «What a lovely day!» tree →
• She gave an exclamation of delight when she opened the present. tree →
• Don't use too many exclamation marks in your story. tree →
• «How tall you have grown!» is an exclamation sentence. tree →
• There were exclamations of surprise when the magician vanished. tree →
• In America it's called an exclamation point. tree →
• With an exclamation of sudden understanding the father smote his two hands together. tree →

Note

Countable: an exclamation («an» before the vowel sound). Verb: exclaim. Spelling: exclAmation (not «exclaimation»). In school grammar, an exclamation sentence often starts with «What» or «How» and has a verb.