9.89 Another way of showing the sort of statement you are making is to use to be followed by an adjective, or to put it followed by an adverb.
I don’t really know, to be honest.
To put it bluntly, someone is lying.
politeness
9.90 When someone who is making a request wants to be polite, they use the adverb please.
May I have a word with you, please?
Would you please remove your glasses?
Please be careful.
Exclamations
9.91 Exclamations are words and structures that express your reactions emphatically. You usually show this in speech by your intonation and in writing by the use of an exclamation mark (usually called an exclamation point in American English) at the end of the sentence, although full stops are often used instead. If the exclamation is only a part of a sentence, it is separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma.
showing your reactions
9.92 There are various ways of showing your reaction to something that you are experiencing or looking at, or that you have just been told. One way is to use an exclamation such as bother, good heavens, oh dear, or ouch.
Ow! That hurt.
‘Margaret Ravenscroft may have been responsible for the fire.’ – ‘Good heavens!’ said Dr Willoughby.
‘She died last autumn.’ – ‘Oh dear, I’m so sorry.’
Some exclamations are used only to show reactions. Here is a list of some common ones:
aha
blast
blimey
bother
bravo
crikey
damn
eek
good gracious
good grief
good heavens
good lord
goodness me
golly
gosh
hallelujah
honestly
hurray
oh
oh dear
ooh
oops
ouch
ow
really
sheesh
ugh
well I never
what
whoops
wow
yippee
you’re joking
yuk
other clause elements
9.93 Other clause elements or clauses can be used in exclamations.
Noun phrases are sometimes used to show your reaction to something. Some nouns, for example rubbish and nonsense, can be used on their own to express strong disagreement.
‘No-one would want to go out with me.’ – ‘Nonsense. You’re a very attractive man.’
Predeterminers, especially what, are often used before the noun.
What a pleasant surprise!
Such an intelligent family!
Quite a show!
Qualitative adjectives are sometimes used on their own, or with how in front of them, usually to show a positive reaction to a statement.
‘I’ve arranged a surprise party for him.’ – ‘Lovely.’
Oh! Look! How sweet!
A prepositional phrase with of can be used to specify a person, and a to-infinitive clause to refer to the action.
How nice of you to come!
How nice to see you.
Sentences with how and an adjective or adverb, or what and a noun phrase, can also be used as exclamations. The adjective, adverb, or noun phrase comes before the subject.
How nice you look!
How cleverly you hid your feelings!
What an idiot I am.
What negative thoughts we’re having.
How can be placed at the beginning of an ordinary sentence to show the intensity of a feeling or action.
How I hate posters.
How he talked!
questions that do not expect an answer
9.94 People often use questions as a way of making a comment or exclamation. They do not expect an answer. Questions like this are called rhetorical questions.
You can use a negative yes/no-question, if you want to encourage other people to agree with you.
Oh Andy, isn’t she lovely?
Wouldn’t it be awful with no Christmas!
In informal English, you can use a positive question.
‘How much?’ – ‘A hundred million.’ – ‘Are you crazy?’
Have you no shame!
Wh-questions, especially ones containing modals, are also used.
How on earth should I know?
Why must she be so nasty to me?
Why bother?
See Chapter 5 for more information about questions.
Addressing people
9.95 When you are talking to people, you can address them using their first name or, more formally, by using a title followed by their surname like Mr Jones or Mrs Matthews. Sometimes, the way you address people shows your feelings towards them or your relationship to them. For example, you might address them using a word like darling or idiot. Words used like this are called vocatives.
position
9.96 The names you use for addressing people are often placed at the end of a sentence or clause. In writing, they are usually preceded by a comma.
Where are you staying, Mr Swallow?
That’s lovely, darling.
You can put them at the beginning of a sentence in order to attract someone’s attention before speaking to them.
John, how long have you been at the university?
Dad, why have you got that suit on?
titles
9.97 When you address someone in a fairly formal way, you use their title and surname. Information about titles is given in 1.55 to 1.57.
Goodbye, Dr Kirk.
Thank you, Mr Jones.
How old are you, Miss Flewin?
Titles indicating a special qualification, rank, or job can be used on their own.
What’s wrong, Doctor?
Well, professor?
9.98