Exclamation

1. Concepts

- Exclamation (exclamation sentence) is a type of sentence commonly used in English communication with the meaning of expressing an emotion (emotion) or attitude (attitude) to the thing or event being talked about. Exclamatory sentences help express emotions such as joy, sadness, happiness, praise, criticism, anger or surprise...

In English, the structure of exclamation sentences is very diverse. Sometimes just a simple word can constitute an exclamation (For example: “Wow!” – shows surprise, “gosh” – worthy of death,…). However, the most basic and common are 3 types exclamations with “WHAT”, “HOW” and “SO SUCH"

2.  Structure of exclamation sentences with " What "

In exclamatory sentence structures, sentences used with “What” is the most important thing to note. Because depending on whether the noun is plural or singular, countable or uncountable, you will apply different structures.

- Form 1: With singular countable nouns

+ Structure: What + a/ an + adj + singular noun!

With nouns in the sentence in singular form, when writing an exclamation sentence with "What" you must add the preposition "a/an" after What and before the adjective.

For example:

• What a beautiful girl!

• What an interesting novel!

- Form 2: With plural countable nouns

+ Structure: What + adj + plural countable noun + (be)!

When a noun in a sentence appears in the plural form, you cannot use the article “a/an”. If you use the verb "tobe" at the end of the sentence, it must be plural.

For example:

• What beautiful flowers are!

• What small apartments!

- Form 3: With uncountable nouns

+ Structure: What + adj + uncountable noun!

Because the nouns in the sentence are uncountable nouns,  do not use the article “a/an” or add the plural “tobe” at the end of the sentence.

For example:

• What difficult grammar!

• What tasty food!

 - Form 4: Exclamatory sentences combined with storytelling

+ Structure: What + (a/an) + adj + N + S + V!

This is an expanded form of an exclamation. When you want to tell something more to clarify the meaning of the sentence, use this structure.

For example:

• What smart students we met!

• What a delicious meal we have tasted!

3. Structure of exclamation sentences with " How "

It's simpler with “What", exclamation with "How” has only one structural form. You can use this type of sentence when you want to express strong emotions because of the emotional intensity of the sentence

+ Structure: How + adj/ adv + S + V/ be !

Comparing with the 4 structural forms above, we see sentences The exclamation with “How” is completely different. Instead of just accompanying adjectives, this structure also comes with adjectives Adverb. If the subject cluster (S + V) in the above 4 structures is secondary and adds meaning, then for this structure this is an absolutely mandatory component.

For example:

• How beautifully she sings!

• How fun it is!

4. Structure of exclamation sentences with " So " and " So Such "

+ Structure:

• With So: S + V + so + adj/ adv

• With Such: S + V + such + (a / an) + adj / adv

Exclamations with "so" and "such" are often placed in sentences, in a specific context, when the conversation has taken place before, to more clearly express the speaker's attitude towards the ongoing story. Compared to the exclamation sentence with "How", this structure also has similarities. That is, they all have the mandatory appearance of the subject phrase (S+V) and can be combined with both adjective or adverb depending on the type of verb used.

For example:

• The pencil is so beautiful

• You are so tall!

• That was such a memorable holiday!

• It was such a boring movie!

5. 20 exclamations in English

In addition to the common and grammatically correct exclamation sentence structures in English as above, people omit some components and express their emotions not according to sentence rules in real communication. Below are 20 common English exclamations to help you communicate like a native:

5.1. When you want to encourage someone

• It's risky! 

• Go for it!

• Cheer up!

• Calm down!

• It's over!

• Good job/ Well-done

5.2. Express your emotions when you are excited, happy, satisfied

• How lucky!

• That's amazing!

• That's great!

• That's really awesome!

• Thank God!

• I did it!

• Nothing could make me happier.

• I have nothing more to desire.

• We are happy deed.

5.3. Express emotions when regretful, bored, angry

• What a bore!

• Too bad!

• Poor fellow!

• What a pity!

• What nonsense!