interjectional
A student uses an interjectional phrase to express surprise in a conversation.
Definition
- Adjective:
- Pertaining to an interjection: "interjectional" describes something that relates to or functions as an interjection — a word or phrase used to express sudden emotion or exclamation (e.g., "Oh!", "Wow!", "Ouch!").
- Characterized by interruption: It can also refer to something that is uttered or inserted abruptly into speech, often as an interruption or aside.
Usage Examples
- (It functions as an interjection conveying grief.)
- (He interrupted his own speech with sudden exclamations.)
- (The phrases act as sudden emotional outbursts within the script.)
Advanced Usage
"interjectional phrase": a group of words that functions as a single interjection.
- "Oh my goodness" is an interjectional phrase used to express surprise. (A multi-word unit serving as an exclamation.)
"interjectional pause": a brief break in speech caused by an interjection.
- The speaker made an interjectional pause after saying "Well..." (A short stop for an exclamatory word.)
Variants and Related Words
Interjection (n): a word or phrase that expresses emotion and is not grammatically connected to the rest of a sentence.
- Examples of interjections include "Hey!", "Ouch!", and "Hooray!" (These are standalone exclamations.)
Interject (v): to say something abruptly, especially as an interruption.
- She interjected a comment during the meeting. (She inserted a remark suddenly.)
Synonyms
Exclamatory: relating to or expressing a sudden, strong emotion.
- "Wow!" is an exclamatory word. (It functions as an interjection.)
Parenthetical: inserted as an aside or explanation.
- A parenthetical remark is similar to an interjectional one. (Both interrupt the main flow of speech.)
Related Idioms
- "By Jove!": an old-fashioned interjectional expression of surprise or emphasis.
- By Jove! I didn't expect to see you here! (An exclamation of astonishment.)
Phrasal Verbs (Related to "interject")
- Interject with: to interrupt by saying something.
- He interjected with a question during the lecture. (He broke in suddenly with a query.)