Interjections in English

Modern language requires a slightly different approach. It is different from what we are used to. The allocation of interjections is still a widely discussed issue in scientific circles, as there is no clear definition for their classification. The place of interjections in the language system has also not yet been determined. 

We can only say that interjections are used to express emotions. At the same time, it is important that they, being mainly sounds, do not name emotions, but only allow one to judge them. Perhaps we can say that they are used to draw attention to the speaker. 

The system of any language is complex, new elements are added to it every year, because the language, like humanity, goes through the process of evolution. The existence of interjections in the language cannot be denied, so let's just try to figure out what they are and what they are used for. 

 

Formal incarnation 

The form of adverbs is a strange thing, words seem to be there, but on the other hand they are not. Interjections can be something like onomatopoeia, but can also be expressed in whole words or even phrases. 

 

Meaning 

If we talk about the meaning of interjections, then we can distinguish several categories: 

• in a separate group, interjections expressing feelings and emotions can be distinguished; 
• in the second group, perhaps, we will include the sounds that help fill the silence, or an awkward pause in the conversation. They usually do not carry any information; 
• another group includes specific interjections used, for example, in games or rituals 

 

Examples and usage 

Interjection	Emotion/  meaning	Example
Ah	sigh	Ah… Finally I can go to bed
Argh	annoyance	Argh! Stop it!
Aww	tenderness	Aww…This baby is so cute!
Urgh	annoyance	Urgh… I can’t do this anymore
Phew	relief,	Phew… I’m done with this work
Dear	wonder	Oh dear! How did that happen?
Eh	passive-aggressive consent   wonder   please repeat	Eh… Whatever  Eh! Really?   - It’s hot outside  - Eh?   - I said it’s hot outside.
Er	uncertainty	It was here…or…er… there?!
Hey	attracting attention, exclamation	Hey! You! You did this?
Hmm	uncertainty, doubt	Hmm… I don’t think so.
Mhm	agreement	- Have you seen this?  - Mhm
Nah	disagreement	- Are you going?  - Nah, I’m staying here
Nuh-uh	negation like "nope"	- I’ll help you with the dinner  - Nuh-uh, just sit down and relax.
Oh	sigh	Oh-oh, sorry
Ouch	expression of pain	Ouch! You hit me!
Psst	attracting attention	Psst… Chris! Come here!
uh	sad sigh	Uh… She doesn’t know what to say for that
Umm	uncertainty	Umm… I’m not sure
well	uncertainty, indeterminacy	Well, we can talk about it tomorrow.

 

This, of course, is not all interjections that exist in English. In some other languages, there are many interjections for a full translation of English without loss of meaning.  

The similarity of interjections makes it easier for language learners to understand them. Oh everywhere will remain a sigh, and mhm - a form of consent.