An exclamatory sentence uses exclamation points for end punctuation and is meant to be read and said with a particular emphasis. How Does Spanish Use Upside-Down Question and Exclamation Marks? In truth, exclamation marks are like sugar. A good rule of thumb to follow for any piece of writing is to allow only one exclamation point for every 2,000 words (or more, if possible). Have you … In English grammar, an exclamatory sentence is a type of main clause that expresses strong feelings in the form of an exclamation, as opposed to sentences that make a statement (declarative sentences), express commands (imperative sentences), or ask a question (interrogatory sentences). (Comedian Joan Rivers), It's alive! For example, if someone says, "No way!" Instead, insert a comma where the speaker would naturally pause and then finish off with that indicator of excitement, the exclamation mark. Vocational rather than academic, "Grammar for Grown-ups" is packed with real-life examples and keeps you engaged with a wealth of great quotations from Homer the Greek to Homer the Simpson. Sometimes they can be too much. Academic papers are going to be filled with declarative sentences, which make a statement, or interrogative sentences, which pose a question. Interrogative sentences ask questions and they're punctuated by a question mark. If you're having trouble parsing out subjects for this type of sentence, look for the verb first and then find the subject by deciding what subject belongs to the verb. (Dr Frankenstein), Five exclamation marks, the sure sign of an insane mind. or "Well, what do you know!" Will you stop trying to fish in my water? They're always punctuated by a period. Use exclamatory sentences sparingly, and, when you do, don't use more than one exclamation mark. Exclamatory sentences are so powerful they can stand alone. How bright they've grown in the sunlight. A script for an episode of Friends will be full of exclamatory sentences — and that's why we loved it so much. They are quite rare in business correspondence, where a level head usually needs … Let your writing speak for itself. In English grammar, an exclamatory sentence is a type of main clause that expresses strong feelings in the form of an exclamation, as opposed to sentences that make a statement (declarative sentences), express commands (imperative sentences), or ask a question (interrogatory sentences). In the end, it's best to leave exclamatory sentences for the lighter side of life. It's alive! Note that the verb was comes before the subject concert. All Rights Reserved. However, a paper focusing on the benefits of herbal medicine should be far less driven by exclamations. Use exclamations only when absolutely necessary, such as in a direct quote or dialogue. With the appropriate intonation, other sentence types—especially declarative sentences—can be used to form exclamations. An imperative sentence is also not used much in academic writing, but if you see it in other writing it may be confused with an exclamatory sentence as it can also end with an exclamation point. An exclamatory sentence makes a statement that conveys strong emotion or excitement. Dr. Richard Nordquist is professor emeritus of rhetoric and English at Georgia Southern University and the author of several university-level grammar and composition textbooks. ThoughtCo uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. In other words, an exclamatory sentence makes a statement (just like a declarative sentence), but it also conveys excitement or emotion. By using ThoughtCo, you accept our, Adjectives in Exclamatory Phrases and Clauses, Sentence Type Basics for English Learners, Definitions and Examples of Passivization in English, 100 Key Terms Used in the Study of Grammar, Understanding the Types of Verbs in English Grammar. And there are rhetorical questions of surprise, such as "What?!" Declarative sentences relay information, plain and simple. or uses an interjection such as, "Brrr!" Exclamative sentences rarely appear in academic writing, except when they're part of quoted material, which would likely be rare in that field. For example: Have you ever had a text conversation go something like that? No big deal, but it can come across as a different kind of emotion, like anger or frustration. that end with both a question mark and an exclamation point. So, be careful if you just mean to say, "I need some coffee," rather than "I need some coffee!" Placing that tiny stripe above a period at the end of a sentence can really rock the boat! Your tone, the emphasis you place on certain words, and your inflection can all change the meaning — and possibly the urgency — of your sentence. The author's voice should carry the message in an essay or nonfiction article. Also called an exclamative or an exclamative clause, an exclamatory sentence usually ends with an exclamation point. Straight talking and methodical, "Smashing Grammar" (Our Grammar Book, 2019), You make the beds, you do the dishes and six months later you have to start all over again. Exclamatory sentences are common in adverts and informal correspondence (e.g., emails, texts). Placing that tiny stripe above a period at the end of a sentence can really rock the boat! Let's take a look at some exclamatory sentence examples. Exclamatory Sentence: I want coffee! Short of quoting someone else, they are to be avoided. I hate housework! These sentences don't require a subject and a verb, though to qualify as an exclamatory clause or sentence, a subject and a verb must be present. In fiction, the words characters speak and the tension in the scene driven by the narrative should be what expresses the emotion. Exclamatory Sentence Example: Declarative Sentence: I want coffee. An exclamatory sentence, or exclamation, is a more forceful version of a declarative sentence. the next time you're contemplating this magical bean. Copyright © 2020 LoveToKnow. Please be aware that overuse of exclamations and exclamation points in essays, nonfiction articles, or in fiction is a sign of amateurish writing. Editing them out of progressive drafts will make your overall piece stronger by the time it's finalized. Why are you yelling at me?" An exclamatory sentence, sometimes called an exclamation sentence, is a statement that presents an exclamation. Your friend is trying to convey excitement and instead of throwing in some emojis, she uses exclamation marks. For example, examine the sentence structure here: "Oh wow, was that a great concert!" Choose clear, concise tones and avoid the urge to place that stripe above your periods (!). "I'm not!" Exclamatory phrases can sometimes stand on their own as sentences. Exclamations should be restricted to direct quotes attributed to sources. For example: “I got the concert tickets!” "Ugh! Here, it's concert, as you could put the sentence in a subject/verb order as, "Oh wow, that concert was great!". It's okay to create a casual blog post with an exclamatory sentence or two. For example: In these instances, you don't have to divide the sentiment into two separate sentences. Even then, edit out what isn't absolutely necessary. There are exclamatory questions, too, such as, "Isn't this fun!" Exclamatory sentences don't really have a place in academic writing or reports. An exclamatory sentence makes a statement that conveys strong emotion or excitement. Do you disagree with something on this page. Predicators or Main Verbs in English Grammar, Definition and Examples of Imperative Sentences in English, Definition and Examples of Interjections in English, Beginner's Guide to Declarative Sentences, Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia, M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester, B.A., English, State University of New York. (Author Terry Pratchett). You should never allow exclamation points (and exclamatory sentences) to become a crutch to carry the emotion of a scene. He's such a kind soul!That's such a gorgeous ring!Your puppy is such a cutie!You’re such a liar! Download Grammarly's app to help with eliminating grammar errors and finding the right words. The difference to remember is that an exclamatory sentence will always express heightened emotion. Author Randolph Quirk and his colleagues explain how adjectives play a part in creating exclamatory phrases and clauses: In addition to sentences that have the typical declarative subject/verb structure, there are exclamatory sentences that take a positive or negative interrogative structure. We've broken them up into their most common categories.