Exclamation Mark
An exclamation mark (!) is one of the punctuation marks. It is used to show strong emotions (anger, joy, surprise, shock, etc.), strong feelings, excitement, emphasis, sudden order, and volume. The term exclamation mark is the same thing that is preferably used in American English.
When to Use an Exclamation Mark
At the End of an Exclamatory Sentence
An exclamatory sentence shows
emotions, feelings, or excitement, so we use an exclamation mark at the end of
an exclamatory sentence.
- What a cute baby is playing there!
- Wow, it looks amazing!
At the End of an Imperative Sentence
An imperative sentence is ended
with a period or exclamation mark. A command is ended with an exclamation mark
when it shows emphasis or forcefulness.
- Get out of my sight!
- Don’t use my mobile again!
An Exclamation Mark after Interjection
Interjections are words that
show strong feelings or sudden emotions. An interjection can be used as a part
of a sentence, or it can stand alone, too.
- Ouch! I hurt my leg.
- Alas! Pakistan lost the match.
After Rhetorical Questions
Rhetorical questions are not
questions. They are in the form of questions. They can be statements or
demands. A full stop, question mark, or exclamation mark is used at the end of
rhetorical questions. In informal writing, a question mark and an exclamation
mark can be used in combination.
- Is it your habit of asking stupid questions!
- Will you not stop talking in class!
In Dialogues
It is useful to use exclamation marks in dialogues. When a speaker wants to express his feelings behind a
statement, using an exclamation mark is the best option.
Exclamation Marks and Quotations
When we have closing quotation
marks in a sentence, be careful regarding using an exclamation mark. If it
applies to the words inside the quotation marks, an exclamation mark is used
inside the quotation marks. On the other hand, if it applies to the whole
sentence, we use it at the end of the sentence.
- John said, “What a nice car!”
- Today, we have bad news “about John’s death”!
Exclamation Marks and Parentheses
Using an exclamation mark
depends on the words it applies to. When the exclamation applies to the words
inside the parentheses, put it inside the parentheses. Put an exclamation mark
at the end of a sentence when it applies to the whole sentence.
- In a short time, John brought millions of dollars (cash)!
- Does he have millions of dollars (in cash!)?
Exclamation Marks and Italicized or Underlined Phrases or Titles
When an exclamation mark is
part of an underlined or italicized phrase or title, it is underlined or
italicized. If this is not the case, it is not underlined or italicized.
- Stop playing PUBG!
- His favorite book is Horton Hears a Who!
Exclamation Mark in Formal Writing
An exclamation mark is
considered an informal punctuation mark. In academic writing, it is suggested
that you should avoid using an exclamation mark. In business correspondence,
try to use strong vocabulary and powerful expressions. Exclamation mark creates
misinterpretation in business correspondence.
Comma or Period after an Exclamation Mark
Don’t use a comma or period
after a terminal exclamation mark. When an exclamation mark is part of a proper
noun word or phrase (company name, band name, book title, etc.) in a sentence,
a necessary comma related to sentence structure is used after the exclamation
mark.
- WAHM! (A band name)
- Yahoo! (A company name)
- Slay! (A song title)
