How to use Exclamation Mark
Exclamation marks (!) are punctuation marks that are usually used to mark the end of an exclamatory sentence. Therefore, they are used in declarations, exclamations, interjections and commands. An exclamation mark has the ability to express a strong and intense emotion such as anger, surprise, fear, etc. We also use exclamation marks at the end of greetings, wishes, etc.
It is important to notice that the word that comes after the exclamation mark always begin with a capital letter. This is because an exclamation mark marks the end of a sentence, just like a period. This also means that the punctuation mark should be at the end of the sentence, not in the beginning.
For example:
Cool! you got a new car for your birthday! – wrong
Cool, you got a new car for your birthday! – correct
Another point to remember is never to use please with imperative sentences that end with exclamation marks. The addition of please transforms the sentence into a request, and exclamatory marks are not used with requests.
For example:
Please, come! – wrong
Come! – correct
Please come here. – correct
Usage of Exclamation Mark
Exclamation marks are used to mark the end of declarations, commands, suggestions, interjections, greetings, wishes, etc. Here are some examples:
Declaration:
I’m going to file a case against them!
I’m not giving up without receiving answers!
Command:
Get out of here!
Come here right now!
Suggestions:
Let’s go out!
Let’s play hide and seek!
Interjection:
Ouch! My leg hurts.
Cool! You got a new video game for your birthday.
Eww! That’s disgusting!
Greetings/Wishes:
Wish you a very happy birthday!
Congratulations!
Good morning!
We can also form exclamatory sentences by using interrogative words such as how and what.
How kind you are!
What a beautiful child she is!
You’ll note from the above examples, that almost all of these sentences expresses strong emotions –be it anger, disgust, surprise, or joy. It is the exclamation mark that helps the sentence to convey the emotion.
Examples of Exclamation Mark
Given below are some more examples of exclamation marks. The emotion expressed through the sentence is also given inside the brackets.
I don’t know what happened here! (Confusion)
No, you don’t have permission to go out! (Anger)
Oh, I didn’t see you there! (Surprise)
We won the competition! (Joy)
I’m not going to stop until I finish this completely. (Determination)
I don’t know what we will do without you! (Sorrow)
What a well-behaved dog you have! (Astonishment)
Exclamation Mark – Summary
- Exclamation marks are punctuation marks that are usually used to mark the end of an exclamatory sentence.
- An exclamation mark has the ability to express a strong and intense emotion.
- The word that comes after the exclamation mark should always be a capital letter since the exclamatory mark indicates the end of a sentence.
