Exclamation marks
The mark for strong feeling, where it belongs, and why one is always enough.
The answer
An exclamation mark (!) ends a sentence said with strong feeling, such as surprise, excitement, anger or urgency.
Examples
What a brilliant goal that was!
An exclamation sentence, starting with What.
How cold the water is!
An exclamation sentence, starting with How.
Watch out!
An urgent command.
Ouch! That really hurt!
Strong feeling.
How to spot it
- Every exclamation sentence (What a..., How...) ends with an exclamation mark.
- Urgent commands and shouts often end with one: Stop!
- A sentence with an exclamation mark is not always an exclamation. ‘I won!’ is a statement said with feeling.
The common mistake
Using too many.
‘It was amazing!!!’ uses three where one would do, and a page full of exclamation marks stops them meaning anything. Save them for real strong feeling.
When it is taught
- First met
- Year 1
- On the pupil word list
- Year 1, as “exclamation mark”
Year 1 names exclamation mark and uses it to end sentences. Year 2 learns exclamation as a sentence type; the KS2 test framework describes exclamations as sentences starting with What or How.
Try a question
Which sentence is an exclamation and needs an exclamation mark? Tick one.
- What a huge dog that is
- Where is the dog
- The dog is asleep
- I asked where the dog was
Show the answer
Answer: What a huge dog that is
It starts with What, has a verb and shows strong feeling, so it is an exclamation.
Related terms
More grammar terms
Questions parents ask
Is every sentence ending in ! an exclamation?
No. In KS2 grammar, an exclamation starts with What or How. ‘Stop!’ is a command and ‘I won!’ is a statement, even with an exclamation mark.
Can you use two exclamation marks?
Not in school writing. One is always enough.
Where does the exclamation mark go in speech?
Inside the inverted commas: The conductor shouted, “Sit down!”
Grammar turns up in 11+ English too
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