Exclamatory Sentences: A Complete Overview

Exclamatory sentences, along with imperative, interrogative, and declarative sentences comprise the four main kinds of sentence structures in English grammar.

Learn about what exclamatory sentences are, the different uses of exclamatory sentences, and how interjections compare to exclamatory sentences.

Then, conveniently review your content for proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation with the Originality.ai Grammar Checker.

What Is an Exclamatory Sentence?

The term “exclamatory” comes from the word “exclaim,” which, at the root, means to call out, cry out, or shout. Exclamatory sentences, in all forms of communication, call attention to an intense emotion, a strong warning, or something surprising. They always have a subject and a predicate and end with an exclamation point (!).

Examples of exclamatory sentences:

• Oh, that is awesome!
• There are so many mosquitos out here!
• Oh, my goodness, a surprise party! 

The Four Types of Sentences In English Grammar

There are four main types of sentences in English grammar. They differ in how they deliver information and what end punctuation is used:

• Exclamatory: Expresses a strong feeling. Always ends with an exclamation point (!).
• Interrogative: Asks a question. Ends with a question mark (?).
• Imperative: Expresses a demand or request. Ends with a period (.) and sometimes an exclamation point (!).
• Declarative: Expresses a statement. Ends with a period (.).

Different Uses of Exclamatory Sentences

Exclamatory sentences are to writing what shouting is to speaking. The grammatical construction is used similarly and for the same reasons. They can express something urgent, add emphasis, or be used for dramatic effect. 

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Interjections and Exclamatory Sentences

Interjections also express an emotion or exclamation. They are related to exclamatory sentences but are not the same. 

Examples of interjections are: Ouch!, Wow!, and Oh, no!

An interjection:

• Is a word or phrase. 
• Can stand alone, but isn’t always a sentence.
• Often appears before a complete sentence with an exclamation point (!) or a comma (,).

Interjections as exclamatory sentences

An interjection can be a very short exclamatory sentence if it has a subject and a predicate.

• That helps! (subject: that, predicate: helps)
• Run! (subject: the understood you, predicate: run)

Interjections that aren’t exclamatory sentences

When an interjection does not have a subject and a predicate, it’s simply an interjection with an exclamation point. 

• Ouch!
• Whee!
• Whoop!

Exclamatory Sentences in Different Sentence Structures

Exclamatory sentences aren’t limited to short bursts of emotion. While some very simple constructions are exclamatory sentences, more complicated sentences can also be exclamations. If they end with an exclamation point, they are exclamatory sentences. 

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Use Exclamatory Sentences Sparingly!

The expression of emotion is powerful and necessary in most writing, but only when used mindfully and purposefully. Just as calling out with a loud voice is really only appreciated in small doses when necessary, exclamations are only effective when used in moderation. When overused, exclamatory sentences tend to lose their dramatic effect.

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Then learn more grammar best practices in our top guides:

• What Are Irregular Verbs?
• What Are Hyphens Used For?
• Dependent Clauses: A Complete Guide
• Independent Clauses: A Complete Guide