The Exclamatory Sentence

A sentence that expresses strong feelings by making an exclamation.

You might use it to show anger, confusion, love, happiness, or any other boisterous emotion. I say boisterous because you probably wouldn't use an exclamation mark to show peace, calm or shyness.

Here are some examples: No, you cannot dye the dog's hair! (anger)

I don't want to go to Grandma's house! (frustration)

I scored three goals at the soccer game! (happiness) I can't find the peanut butter! (confusion)

I love you! (love) We're going to Hawaii! (elation)

We have won! (Excitement) We have won! (Excitement) Wow, what a sight! (Surprise)

Diagramming Exclamations I scored three goals at the soccer game!

The word not is always an adverb. It is never part of the verb. When diagramming a contraction (such as can't), you must separate the two words since one is a verb (can) and one is an adverb (not). Check it out: I can't find the peanut butter!

I love you!

Rule Number One: If the noun in your sentence is plural, the correct choice is what, not how. What exceptional children these are! is correct. How exceptional children these are! is incorrect. What is acceptable with singular nouns as well. What an exceptional child this is!

Rule Number Two: When punctuating an exclamatory sentence, the exclamation mark should be at the sentence end, not in the middle of the sentence. Fantastic, we closed the deal! is correct. Fantastic! we closed the deal. is incorrect.

Read each question and pick an appropriate exclamatory sentence to follow it. Write at least five more exclamatory sentences of your own. Read a book and write down as many exclamatory sentences as you can find. Q 1: A storm is approaching. A)My family is on a vacation. B) Would you like to drink lemonade? C)You must evacuate this village immediately! Q 2: Look at my new printer. A)It can also print in color B)How fast it prints! C)Do you know how to use it?

Q 3: There is a fallen electric wire on the street. A)Drive around it. B)Do you know if it is live? C)Do not touch it! Q 4: When I grow up, I would like to be a doctor. A)Doctors save lives! B)It takes hard work to become a doctor. C)Do you know how much money doctors make? Q 5: I saw Olympics on T.V. yesterday. A)What a great job the Team U.S.A did! B)Team U.S.A. won many medals. C)Do you know who won the most gold medals? Q 6: I have a bad tooth A)Do you know what happens if you don't brush your teeth regularly? B)It hurts! C)I need medication.

Change an imperative sentence into an interrogative sentence Stop talking. (imperative) Will you stop talking? (interrogative) Shut the door. (imperative) Will you shut the door? (interrogative) Please, get me a glass of water. (imperative) Will you, please, get me a glass of water? (interrogative) Get out of here. (imperative) Will you get out of here or not? (interrogative)