Level: B1
Common Interjection Mistakes — Practice
The mistakes ESL learners make most often with interjections — all in one quiz. Decide whether each sentence is Correct or Wrong. 30 paired examples with audio.
Builds on By Feeling Punctuation & Position Next in unit Identify Interjections →
- Interjections in formal writing
- Wow! The results of our study were quite surprising. – Wrong (formal context)
- The results of our study were quite surprising. – Correct
- Yikes! The quarterly numbers are down. – Wrong (formal context)
- The quarterly numbers are down. – Correct
- Ouch! The report shows major losses. – Wrong (formal context)
- The report shows major losses. – Correct
- Foreign fillers in English
- I think, este, we should go now. – Wrong (foreign filler)
- I think, um, we should go now. – Correct
- So, eh, what is the plan? – Wrong (foreign filler)
- So, uh, what is the plan? – Correct
- Maybe, ano, tomorrow? – Wrong (foreign filler)
- Maybe, well, tomorrow? – Correct
- Stacked exclamation marks (formal)
- That was amazing!!! – Wrong (in formal writing)
- That was amazing! – Correct
- I cannot believe it!!! – Wrong (in formal writing)
- I cannot believe it! – Correct
- Oh / Aw / Ow / Ah — confusing similar sounds
- Aw, my finger! (after stubbing it) – Wrong
- Ow, my finger! – Correct (pain)
- Ow, the kitten is so adorable. – Wrong
- Aww, the kitten is so adorable. – Correct (sympathy / cute)
- Ow, now I understand the problem. – Wrong
- Ah, now I understand the problem. – Correct (understanding)
- Aw, you are here already! – Wrong
- Oh, you are here already! – Correct (mild surprise)
- Religious interjections in polite context
- Oh my God, your hat is lovely! (to a stranger) – Wrong (could offend)
- Oh my goodness, your hat is lovely! – Correct (mild)
- Jesus, this traffic! (in a business meeting) – Wrong (could offend)
- Goodness, this traffic! – Correct
- Christ, look at the time! (with elders) – Wrong (could offend)
- Wow, look at the time! – Correct