What is an exclamatory sentence?

Exclamatory Sentences (Definition, Rules, And Free Worksheet)

Are you ready to add a dash of enthusiasm and emotion to your writing?

Exclamatory sentences are the secret ingredient that can make your words come alive and captivate your readers.

In this post, we’ll dive deep into the definition, rules, and usage of exclamatory sentences

Let’s dive in, shall we?

What Is An Exclamatory Sentence?

Imagine a time when you were really excited, like when you opened a present to find exactly what you wanted. You might have shouted, “This is the best gift ever!” That, my friend, is an exclamatory sentence.

Exclamatory sentences are like the fireworks of sentences. They’re all about showing strong emotions or reactions. Whether you’re super excited, totally surprised, or even really angry, exclamatory sentences are your go-to for showing those big feelings.

So, in a nutshell, whenever you want to make your sentences pop with emotion or surprise, it’s time to call in the exclamatory sentences!

Also read: What Is A Paragraph?

Structure And Punctuation Of Exclamatory Sentences

Exclamatory sentences are quite straightforward. They often start with ‘what’ or ‘how,’ but they can start with any word. 

The most important part is that they end with an exclamation mark (!). Yep, that’s the secret ingredient. It’s like the cherry on top of your ice cream sundae, the grand finale that takes things up a notch.

10 Examples Of Exclamatory Sentences

Let’s look at some examples. 

  1. Truth or Dare, this is the most exciting game ever!
  2. What an extraordinary adventure that was!
  3. How much your speaking skill has improved!
  4. How incredible it is to see the sunrise from the mountaintop!
  5. Good study habits really do make a huge difference, unbelievable!
  6. What a mind-blowing ending to the play!
  7. Wow, these flowers are the most beautiful I’ve ever seen!
  8. Never have I ever seen a movie so thrilling!
  9. I’ve never witnessed such an incredible display of talent!
  10. What a creative way to explain the part of speech!

How To Identify Exclamatory Sentences

Exclamatory sentences are easy to identify. Just look for these signs:

  1. They express strong emotions or surprise.
  2. They often start with ‘what’ or ‘how.’
  3. They always end with an exclamation mark (!).

Common Words And Phrases Used In Exclamatory Sentences

So, you know those words and phrases that just seem to pop up a lot in exclamatory sentences? They’re like the rockstars of the exclamatory world, always ready to help us express our strong feelings and surprise. Let’s take a look at some of them:

  • “What a…”: This one’s a biggie. It’s like the drum roll that sets the stage for your surprise or strong emotion. Example: “What a fantastic game!”
  • “How…”: Another fan favorite. It helps us show amazement at the degree of something. Like, “How cute this elephant-shaped coffee mug is!”
  • “So…”: This one helps you emphasize just how strongly you feel. Think: “I’m so happy for you!”
  • “Such…”: It’s similar to “so” and helps put emphasis on what follows. Example: “It’s such a lovely day!”
  • “Incredible!”: This word is like the fireworks at the end of a show, adding that wow factor. Like, “Incredible performance!”
  • “Amazing!”: Another dazzler that shows how impressed you are. Example: “Amazing work, team!”

Remember, these are just the headliners. There are loads more words and phrases that can light up an exclamatory sentence. So, keep your eyes peeled and your dictionary handy!

Tips For Using Exclamatory Sentences Effectively

While exclamatory sentences can add spice to our writing and conversation, too many can make it seem like you’re always yelling or overly excited. It’s kind of like using your favorite hot sauce—a little dab adds a kick, but too much can set your mouth on fire!

Here are some tips:

1. Use them sparingly: Like adding spice to food, a little goes a long way. If every sentence is an exclamatory one, it’s like shouting all the time. It loses its effect, and people might stop paying attention.

2. Vary your sentence types: Just like you wouldn’t only eat foods with hot sauce, don’t only use exclamatory sentences. Combine them with other types of sentences—declarative (statements), interrogative (questions), and imperative (commands). This creates a nice balance and keeps your writing interesting.

3. Be sincere: Exclamatory sentences are a way to express our real, strong emotions. If you’re using them just because you can, it won’t feel authentic.

What Are The Types Of Exclamation?

There are various types of exclamation expressions that can be used in exclamatory sentences. Here are some common types of exclamation:

1. Surprise or astonishment:

  • Wow!
  • Oh my goodness!
  • Incredible!

2. Joy or excitement:

  • Hooray!
  • Yippee!
  • Fantastic!

3. Admiration or appreciation:

  • Bravo!
  • Well done!
  • Impressive!

4. Frustration or anger:

  • Argh!
  • How frustrating!
  • I can’t believe it!

5. Sorrow or disappointment:

  • Alas!
  • Oh no!
  • What a pity!

6. Urgency or impatience:

  • Hurry!
  • Quickly!
  • Come on!

These are just a few examples of the types of exclamation expressions that can be used to convey different emotions or reactions in exclamatory sentences.

Exclamatory Sentence Worksheet

Exclamatory sentence exercises

Exercise 1: Rewrite the following sentences as exclamatory sentences:

  1. The concert was amazing.
  2. It’s a beautiful day.
  3. The cake looks delicious.
  4. She is a talented dancer.
  5. They won the lottery.

Exercise 2: Create exclamatory sentences using the given prompts:

  1. What a ____________!
  2. How ____________!
  3. I can’t believe ____________!
  4. What an ____________!
  5. How ____________!

Exercise 3: Write an exclamatory sentence to express your excitement or astonishment about the following:

  1. Your favorite sports team winning a championship
  2. Seeing a shooting star
  3. Receiving an unexpected gift
  4. Discovering a hidden treasure
  5. Watching a breathtaking sunset

Possible Answers:

Exercise 1:

  1. What an amazing concert!
  2. What a beautiful day!
  3. What a delicious-looking cake!
  4. She is such a talented dancer!
  5. They won the lottery!

Exercise 2:

  1. What a fantastic performance!
  2. How incredible the view is!
  3. I can’t believe how fast you ran!
  4. What an extraordinary achievement!
  5. How delicious this food tastes!

Exercise 3:

  1. We won the championship! What an incredible moment!
  2. I saw a shooting star! How amazing!
  3. I received an unexpected gift! How wonderful!
  4. I discovered a hidden treasure! What a fantastic find!
  5. The sunset is breathtaking! How beautiful it is!

Wrapping Up

Well, there you have it! You’re now an up-and-coming master of exclamatory sentences. 

Keep in mind that these sentences are your secret weapon to make your writing or conversation really shine with emotion.

If you love learning about language as much as I do, don’t forget to follow Hi English Hub on Pinterest and Twitter for more fun, easy-to-understand posts. 

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