An interjection is a short word or phrase that expresses a sudden emotion or reaction. Think of it as the “emoji” of language—it quickly shows how someone feels in the moment. Words like “wow,” “ouch,” “hey,” and “oops” are all interjections. They usually pop up at the beginning of a sentence, but they can also stand alone.

Imagine you stub your toe. You might yell, “Ouch!” That’s an interjection. Or if someone surprises you with a gift, you might say, “Wow, thank you!” Again, “wow” is the interjection—it captures your instant feeling before the full sentence even begins.

Interjections are unique because they don’t really fit into the grammar rules other parts of speech follow. They’re not nouns, verbs, or adjectives, and they often don’t affect the structure of the sentence. Instead, they add emotion, tone, or a break in conversation.

Here are some common types of interjections with examples:

• Surprise: “Whoa! That was amazing.”
• Pain: “Ouch! That really hurt.”
• Joy: “Yay! We won the game!”
• Anger: “Ugh, not again!”
• Greeting: “Hey! How are you?”
• Agreement: “Yes! I totally agree.”

You’ll often see interjections followed by exclamation points because they express strong emotion. But when the emotion is mild, a comma might be used instead: “Well, I guess it’s okay.”

In writing, using interjections helps create a more conversational, natural tone. Just like in real life, they help us connect with others by showing how we feel in the moment.

As language continues to evolve, new interjections—especially from texting and social media—are always emerging. Keep an eye out, and you’ll start spotting them everywhere!