We use exclamationsto express surprise or shock or a strong emotion about something. The type of phrase or clause associated with exclamations is called exclamative.
We usually form exclamatives withwhatorhow. In writing, we usually put an exclamation mark (!) at the end of the exclamative:
What an amazing car!
How I love the summer holidays!
What…!
We can usewhat+ noun phrase ((+ verb) (+ tag)):
+ noun phrase | + verb | + tag |
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How…!
We often usehowfollowed by an adjective only:
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We can useHow+ adjective/adverb + subject + verb:
Howinteresting it was to hear her story!
Howwonderful it is to see you!
Howbeautifully she sang! Everyone was delighted.
In informal styles, we can also useHow+ adjective + verb + subject. This is particularly common in American English:
How clever am I!
How crazy is that!
Here are some short expressions we use to express surprise:
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Exclamatives with interrogative form
We sometimes make an exclamation using interrogative (question) word order:
Have I gotnews for you! Peter and Michaela are getting divorced!(or, less strong:I’ve got news for you!)
Did I dosomething stupid last night!
See also:
Punctuation
Suchorso?
Interjections (ouch, hooray)
Clause types