The Exclamation Mark or Note of Exclamation is used after words or sentences expressing keen feeling, such as joy, sorrow, surprise, or a wish or an order.

Hullo!
Off you go!
What a pity!
You don’t say so!
Bang! Bang! went the crackers.
… …. …

The Full Stop marks the end of a sentence, unless the sentence is a question or an exclamation. The next sentence must start with a capital letter.

You are quite right.
Never say die.

The Full Stop is also used after abbreviations.

B.A. (Bachelor of Arts)
M.A. (Master of Arts)
Dr. (Doctor)
Prof. (Professor)
Mrs. (A Pronoun of address for a married woman – Missis)
Mr. (A Pronoun of address for a man – Mister)
B.E. (Buddhist Era)
B.C. (Before Christ)
… …. …

Look at the following passage:

Miss crocodile hearing mr. jackal coming held her breath and lay like a big log pretending to be dead bless my stars cried mr. jackal how very sad here’s poor miss crocodile stone dead and all of love for me dear dear yet I don’t think she can be quite dead for dead folks always wag their tails on this miss crocodile began to wag her tail very gently and mr. jackal ran off roaring with laughter and saying oho oho so dead folks always wag their tails.

This passage from an old Indian story is difficult to read as it is posted here, because there are no signs where to stop as we read it. The different signs we use to help the reader are punctuation marks. The word Punctuation comes from a Latin word meaning a point or mark. Now let us look at the passage from the old story as it should be printed, with all the proper punctuation marks.

Miss Crocodile, hearing Mr. Jackal coming, held her breath and lay like a big log, pretending to be dead.

‘Bless my stars!’ said Mr. Jackal, ‘how very sad! Here’s poor Miss Crocodile stone dead, and all of love for me. Dear, dear! Yet I don’t think she can be quite dead, for dead folks always wag their tails.’ On this Miss Crocodile began to wag her tail very gently, and Mr. Jackal ran off, roaring with laughter and saying: ‘Oho! Oho! So dead folk always wag their tails!’

In the above passage there are twenty-seven punctuation marks, of six different kinds. When we make a list of them, under their different forms, we should get:—

1. Full Stop .
2. Exclamation mark !
3. Interrogation mark ?
4. Comma ,
5. Semicolon ;
6. Colon :
7. Apostrophe ’
8. Hyphen -
9. Dash —
10. Quotation marks or Inverted commas “ ” ‘ ’
11. Brackets () [] {} <>

Name the parts of speech of the words in bold in the following sentences:—

1. All the time I was thinking of you both.
2. So you are not going to Bombay after all?
3. They are neither yours nor mine.
4. Even if you do meet him you will not like him.
5. I’ve been waiting here since three o’clock.
6. He won’t do anything for nothing.
7. The older you are the less easy it will be to learn a new language.
8. What else have you bought?
9. They went by while I was out.
10. It is only fair that none but you should know about it.
11. I am living there all alone.
12. Dear me ! where can he be?
13. It is a troublesome thing to fast.
14. I have only one of those stamps.
15. Weill What have you to say for yourself?
16. All right. I will do as you wish.
17. He acts like a lunatic sometimes.
18. Have you enough string?
19. There are many rats in the hold.
20. We were compelled to arm.

Miscellaneous Examples - II

The Same Word as Different Parts of Speech.
Adj.	He was my only friend.
Adv.	This letter has only just come.
Conj.	I would have written, only I had forgotten your address.
Adj.	The streets run at right angles. All will yet be right with the world.
Verb.	The boat will right herself.
Noun.	We all have rights and duties.
Adv.	She guessed right the first time.
Int.	Right! — All right!
Adv.	He once had malaria, and he’s been ailing ever since.
Prep.	I have not heard from him since last March.
Conj.	Since you say so, it must be true.
Adv.	So long as you don’t make a noise you may play here. He is ever so angry with us.
Conj.	I have much to do, so I can’t see you today.
Int.	So, so! Don’t cry !
Pron.	Never mind what so and so says.
Adj.	How are you? O, so-so.
Adj.	I think we met some years ago.
Pron.	Some of you have done very well.
Adv.	Our library contains some two thousand books.
Adj.	Can you see that red star? Whose are those dogs?
Pron.	Who is that singing? That's right. Is this the best that you can do?
Conj.	I was so tired that I fell asleep on horseback.
Adj.	What is the price of a ticket? Have you had (the) measles? Are you the Mr. Andrews? (= the famous).
Adv.	He was none the better for taking that medicine. So much the worse for him.
Adj.	What games do you play? What news?
Pron.	What? (not polite). What have you done? What is he? (= What is his profession?). He knows what's what (= He knows good things from bad). Give me what you can for it (= as much as).
Inter.	What! you here?
Noun.	I read that book, a while ago. It is hardly worth while going so late.
Verb.	How do you while away your time?
Conj.	I fell asleep while I was waiting for the train.
Adv.	Why are you so late? I know why you said that.
Noun.	We won’t go into the whys and wherefores of the matter.
Int.	Why! if it isn’t my old friend!

The Same Word as Different Parts of Speech.
Adj.	I have been walking all day.
Noun.	All is not lost yet.
Adv.	He was all dripping with perspiration.
Adv.	He could do it as well as his father (equally).
Conj.	As you are here I will show you my books.
Rel. Pron.	He was angry, as we could see from his flushed face.
Adj.	He is a much better bowler than I.
Adv.	We were better off a few years ago.
Noun.	He never acknowledged any people to be his betters. (Only in plural.)
Verb.	I am hoping to better myself soon.
Adj.	Both pencils are blunt.
Pron.	They are both good singers.
Adj.	She is both my cousin and my sister-in-law.
Adv.	She is but a child. (= only.)
Prep.	There is no one but me here. (= except.)
Pron.	There was not a soul but wept at the sight.
Conj.	I called, but you were out.
Prep.	I learnt to read Spanish by myself.
Adv.	The soldiers took an hour to march by.
Adj.	She is a dear old lady.
Noun.	Do be a dear and come with us!
Adv.	That journey cost me dear.
Int.	Dear, dear! whatever shall we do?
Adj.	Either train will take you there.

Miscellaneous Words.

The Same Word as Different Parts of Speech.
Adv.	Your turn will come after.
Prep.	After all this rain we deserve fine weather.
Conj.	I will see you after you return.
Adj.	You will be glad of this in after years.
Prep.	I am always in bed by nine.
Adv.	My father is not in at present.
Adj.	There are not many in-patients in the hospital just now.
Noun.	He knows all the ins and outs of the matter.
Adv.	What lesson comes next?
Prep.	Wear flannel next your skin.
Adj.	On the next occasion I shall know better.
Noun.	Who is the next of kin?
Adv.	See that the kettle doesn't boil over.
Prep.	The sky is over our heads.
Noun.	He bowled forty overs without being changed.

1. My knowledge of English is by no means perfect. 

2. I should like to present you with this picture. 

3. I read him a few extracts from a book of short stories. 

4. He was conducted to the platform by the principal. 

5. I have become a convert to his ways of thinking. 

6. We were subjected to some unkind treatment. 

7. This medicine is a strange compound of drugs. 

8. What perfumes do you use? 

9. What are the chief Indian imports? 

10. Can they be transported easily?

1. Don’t move!

2. Did you call me?

3. You should never touch a snake.

4. Have you ever tried to plough (plow) a field?

5. Get a dentist to pull that tooth out.

The words in bold are verbs. Now look at these sentences.

6. We had better be making a move.

7. Give me a call about half past five.

8. I hope you will keep in touch with me.

9. A steel plough (plow) is stronger than a wooden one.

10. He gave a good, strong pull at the rope.

There are many interjections. Some are rarely used nowadays, but are found in books, such as:

Alas! = Expressing sorrow.
Fie! = For shame!
Hark! = Listen!
Lo! = Look!
Pooh! = Nonsense!
Tush! = Nonsense!

Any word or phrase used as a sudden exclamation can be called an interjection. And most of them are shortened sentences. Thus:—

Well done! = You have done well.
Welcome! = We are glad to see you.
Oh dear me! = What a troublesome thing! or What am I to do?
Dear! / Oh dear! / Dearie me! /  Good grief! /  Lordy! = Expressing pity, shock, dismay, disappointment, sympathy, etc.
Off you go! = Go away! ["You can leave now - Go! - Move! - You're done - You're all set."]
Out with you! =  Go out!
For shame! = You ought to be ashamed of yourself.
Not a bit of it! = It is not so at all.
Good grief! = Expressing surprise.
Lordy! = Expressing surprise or strength.
Hullo! = Expressing surprise.
My hat! = Expressing surprise.
My word! = Expressing surprise.
My Goodness = Expressing surprise etc.
(My) Gosh! = Expressing surprise.
My foot! = Expressing disagreement or disbelief.
Quick! = Be quick.
No you don’t! = You must not do that.
Steady! = Be careful.
Hold on! = Wait a moment.
Go it! = Inciting someone.
Hang it all! = Expressing annoyance.

English is full of bright and amusing interjections, which have to be learnt in actual conversation.
To be sure! / Sure! = Expressing agreement.

Bother! =  Expressing annoyance.
Get along with you! = Don’t tell such fibs. (Fib a mild word for lie.)
Look out! = Take care.

Interjections are words or phrases which express sudden feeling. When boys give three cheers, shouting Hurrah! they are using an interjection. When a teacher says: ‘Come, come! less noise!’ Come! is an interjection. So is the strange but common phrase: Now then! which is used as a warning.

‘Now then! get on with your work!'

Well is an interjection expressing delight.

‘Well, well! so you’re here at last!’

When the doctor says: ‘Ah! I thought so!’ he is using an interjection, meaning that there is something serious.

Sinhala / Sinhalese Lesson.

Point out the conjunctions in the following sentences and say to which class each belongs:—

1. I was going to punish you; however, I will forgive you this once.

2. He is neither stupid nor lazy.

3. I would have gone, only you advised me not to.

4. We were held up by a severe storm, so we missed the train.

5. I hope you will look after things carefully while I am away.

6. Don’t talk so much, or I shall have to send you out of the class.

7. It will be all right now you have come.

8. He gave his life for others, and so he is remembered with deep affection.

9. You will not get on unless you work more steadily.

10. I have travelled (traveled) much in Europe; besides, I have lived long in Asia.

11. He is a better cricketer than he is a tennis player, though he is quite good at tennis.

12. I got this telegram just as I was leaving home.

Insert suitable conjunctions in the blanks in the following sentences:—

1. — he will go — not, no one can say.

2. He has never seen a cobra — he has lived in Burma several years.

3. — you have disobeyed me, you shall not go to the pictures.

4. Pears are sweet — lemons are sour.

5. I was not sure, — I did not write you.

6. I did begin to read for the examination, — I had to give up.

7. It would be fine to meet him, — I shall not be free that afternoon.

8. — you tell me I do remember something about it.

9. He may be clever, — he does such strange things.

10. — you left me, I thought of something I wanted to say to you.

11. — you register your car soon, you will be fined.

12. They are — — poor — — deep in debt.

13. He is not — young — he may look.

14. — he is very fair he is a Moor.

15. He thinks of starting just — the school closes.

Some words serve either as conjunctions or prepositions. When they join two sentences they are conjunctions. When they govern nouns or pronouns they are prepositions.

Some Examples.

You must go before your brother. [Preposition.]

You must go before your brother comes. [Conjunction.]

The letter is for you. [Preposition.]

I give you this letter, for it is yours. [Conjunction.]

You shall hear from me after Christmas. [Preposition.]

I will write after I reach Multan. [Conjunction.]

Conjunctions, as adverbs, may be single or compound words, or even phrases. So they may be divided into:

1. Simple Conjunctions.

And, but, though, while, etc.

2. Compound Conjunctions.

Accordingly, however, nevertheless. therefore, etc.

3. Phrase Conjunctions.

As far as, in order that, on the other hand, etc.

Examples.

I admit he was late, but on the other hand he begged your pardon.

He asked me to go, accordingly I went.

We were beaten, nevertheless we were not discouraged.

There are no books on the subject, as far as I know.

We eat in order that we may live. ( = We eat to live.)

Some conjunctions go in pairs, and are called Correlative Conjunctions or Correlatives.

# Either .... or.

Either yes or no! Which is it?

# Neither .... nor.

Neither you nor I can answer that question.

# Whether .... or.

Whether we shall be able to go or not depends on the weather.

# Not only .... but (also).

He is not only kind, but also unselfish.

# Both .... and.

Both China and Japan use the same kind of writing.

# As …. as

I am not nearly as old as you are.

# So .... as.

Delhi is not so populous as Bombay.

# Though .... yet.

Though he is only seven, yet he can play the piano.

# Note: In sentences beginning with Though we generally omit yet.

Though it is fine, (yet) we are not going out.

Though wise he makes mistakes.

# Never use but instead of yet. It is one of the commonest mistakes. We hear things like this:

Though he lives so near, but he never comes to see me.

Here you may use yet instead of but. But it is more idiomatic to say: Though he lives so near, he never comes to see me.

The following are some of the Subordinative Conjunctions:—

Although, though, as, because, after, before, for, if, lest, since, than, that, till, unless, while.

Here are some examples:—

He is out of work although he came out first in the Examination.

I must leave you now, as I have much to do.

You caught typhoid because you refused to be inoculated.

I remembered his name after he had gone.

You must brush your teeth before you have your breakfast.

People take off their shoes here, for it is a place of worship.

Since you say so, I believe you.

Do anything rather than forget your father and mother.

He told me that he was hungry.

I can’t pay you till my salary comes in.

You shan’t have your supper unless you behave yourself.

Don’t talk so much while you are eating.

There are three kinds of sentences.

1. The Simple Sentence.

This kind of sentence contains only one subject and one predicate.

Horses neigh. Time passes.

2. The Compound Sentence.

This kind of sentence is made up of simple sentences, joined by conjunctions.

"Men must work but women must weep."

3. The Complex Sentence.

In this kind of sentence one clause is dependent upon another.

Walk quietly lest you wake the baby.

Here you wake the baby is said to be dependent upon Walk quietly.

In the line of verse "Men must work but women must weep", we have two sentences of equal order, and we call them Co-ordinate. The word but, which joins them, is therefore called a Co-ordinative Conjunction.

In the sentence "Walk quietly lest you wake the baby", the dependent sentence you wake the baby is called Subordinate. The word lest, which joins the two sentences, is therefore called a Subordinative Conjunction.

Conjunctions join sentences and also join words. When we wish to add one statement to another, we use conjunctions. When we wish to contrast two things, we use conjunctions.

There are not many conjunctions, but they are the very joints of our speech.

And, but, or, though, whether and as are conjunctions.

How do we use these words?

Here are some examples:—

His dagger fell out of its sheath, and fell plop into the tiger’s mouth.

He may have been a good king, but he was no gentleman.

You must have a ticket or you will not be admitted to the concert.

He cannot speak Bengali, though he has lived several years in Dacca.

You will have to take this medicine whether you like it or not.

I am not going out, as it is raining.

You see from these examples how conjunctions help us to join thought with thought, sentence with sentence.

On refers to rest or motion upon something.

There is a big spider on the wall.

Tea is on the table.

On to refers to movement.

Put your hat on to the rack (hat-rack).

Don’t let the cat get onto my bed.

(Many people do not make such a distinction, but say:

Put your hat on your head.

Don’t get on that wall.)