How to Write an Exclamatory Sentence

An exclamatory sentence, also known as an exclamation sentence or an exclamative clause, is a statement that expresses strong emotion. Typically, in English grammar, an exclamatory sentence ends with an exclamation mark—also called an exclamation point.

Exclamatory sentences are one of the four main sentence types in the English language along with declarative sentences that state facts, imperative sentences that give commands, and interrogative sentences that ask questions and end with question marks. While exclamatory sentences are appropriate in casual settings, avoid using exclamatory sentences in all types of formal writing, including academic writing.

Consider some of the key elements of exclamatory sentences.

• Exclamatory sentences often begin with exclamatory pronouns. Exclamatory sentences typically start with the exclamatory pronouns “what” or “how” to emphasize an antecedent noun. For example, “What a beautiful baby!”
• Exclamatory sentences usually end with exclamation marks. Exclamatory sentences use this specific punctuation mark to emphasize an emotion.
• Exclamatory sentences can use interjections. Exclamatory sentences can include interjections like “wow” or “ouch” to express a strong feeling or emotion. These interjections can stand alone with their own exclamation marks or connect to the rest of an exclamatory sentence with the use of a comma.

To learn more about how exclamatory sentences work in the English language, review the following sentences as examples.

1. 1. “How beautiful the mountains are!” In this example, the exclamatory pronoun “how” is used to express strong emotions about a natural landscape.
2. 2. “Yikes, what a terrible movie!” This example uses an interjection followed by a comma as well as the exclamatory pronoun “what” to convey disappointment about a film.
3. 3. “You did such a wonderful job!” Although this example resembles a declarative sentence, it uses the word “such” as a determiner to emphasize the adjective “wonderful” in relation to the noun “job,” and it communicates a strong feeling of approval and support.
4. 4. “Happy birthday, my friend!” In this example, the phrase “happy birthday” is infused with excitement, which is reinforced by the use of an exclamation mark.
5. 5. “Wow! I can’t believe we won!” This example begins with a standalone interjection to emphasize a strong feeling of surprise.

Become a better writer with the MasterClass Annual Membership. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including James Patterson, Neil Gaiman, Walter Mosley, Margaret Atwood, Joyce Carol Oates, Dan Brown, and more.