What is an Exclamatory Sentence?

An exclamatory sentence is one that conveys excitement or emotions. It expresses sudden or strong emotions and feelings. Exclamatory sentences, generally, begins with a capital letter and end with an exclamation mark.

Now, let’s have a look at the definitions given by various dictionaries to get a much deeper understanding of what exclamatory sentences really are.

Definition of an Exclamatory Sentence

According to the Cambridge dictionary, an exclamatory sentence is “a sentence containing an exclamation or strong emphasis”. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the term ‘exclamation’  is defined as “ a sharp or sudden utterance” or a “vehement expression of protest or complaint.” This is usually what an exclamatory sentence is expected to do as well.

Tips to Remember When Using Exclamatory Sentences

Always keep the below points in mind to be able to form and use exclamatory sentences. They are as follows:

• Exclamatory sentences can make use of interjections. Generally, there are two ways in which you can punctuate sentences when you use interjections. You can either put a comma after the interjection and an exclamation mark at the last part of the sentence or an exclamation mark after the interjection and a full stop or question mark at the end of the sentence. See to it that you use a full stop after a declarative or imperative sentence and a question mark at the end of an interrogative sentence. For example: Wow! That is a pretty dress. Oh, that is wonderful!

• Exclamatory sentences, normally begin with exclamatory pronouns like ‘what’ or ‘how’ to emphasize the noun or the object in the sentence. For example: What a calm place! How could you do that?
• Exclamatory sentences usually end with an exclamation mark, which is a specific punctuation mark to give stress to a feeling or emotion. For example, This is extremely rude!
• Moreover, remember that your tone, stress, and the inflection you give on certain words can change completely the meaning of the sentence.

Some Examples of Exclamatory Sentences

Given below are a few examples of exclamatory sentences. Please have a look at them.

• Oh, that is marvelous!
• I have no clue what they think of us!
• You are amazing!
• That’s amazing!
• You did a really wonderful job!
• Wow! I really cannot believe we did that!
• My God! Those are some awesome great decorations.
• How does he do that?
• That is crazy!
• How sad is this!
• That’s so cool!
• What a hot day!
• This cake is yummy!
• What a sunny day!
• Wow! That’s a cool car.
• Amazing performance!
• What a cool outfit this is!
• Alas! I have no dime.

Check Your Understanding of Exclamatory Sentences

Convert the following declarative sentences into exclamatory sentences. Refer to the example given below.

Example:

Declarative Sentence: This is a big house.

Exclamatory Sentence: What a big house this is!

Now, try doing the same with the sentences given below.

1. It was so strange.
2. I hate you.
3. You have made a big mess.
4. The baby is so cute.
5. I miss school.
6. You have really big eyes.
7. That is good news.
8. It’s a surprise.
9. It was a great book.
10. I loved the show.

The answers to the above sentences are given below. Check them out.

1. How so strange it was!
2. How I hate you!
3. What a big mess you have made!
4. How cute the baby is!
5. Oh, how I miss school!
6. You have really big eyes!
7. Wow, that is good news!
8. What a surprise!
9. It was a great book!
10. How I loved the show!

Frequently Asked Questions on Exclamatory Sentences in English

What is an exclamatory sentence?

An exclamatory sentence is a sentence that conveys sudden or strong emotions and feelings. It always begins with a capital letter and ends with an exclamation mark.

What is the definition of an exclamatory sentence?

According to the Cambridge dictionary, an exclamatory sentence is defined as “a sentence containing an exclamation or strong emphasis”. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the term ‘exclamation’  is defined as “ a sharp or sudden utterance” or a “vehement expression of protest or complaint.” 

What are the important points to keep in mind when forming exclamatory sentences?

The important points you have to remember when writing exclamatory sentences are:

• You can form sentences with the help of interjections.
• Start the sentence with exclamatory pronouns like ‘how’ or ‘what’ to provide stress or emphasis on the noun or object in the sentence.
• Always end the sentence with an exclamation mark.

What are some examples of exclamatory sentences?

Here are some examples of exclamatory sentences just for you.

• You did an excellent job!
• Wow! I really cannot believe we climbed Everest!
• My God! Those are some beautifully arranged portraits.
• Oh, That is enormous!
• We have no idea what they think of us!
• OMG! That’s Shahrukh Khan!