An exclamatory sentence expresses a strong reaction such as surprise, delight, or frustration. English has a special exclamative pattern that often begins with what or how, as in What a close race that was!
Exclamations with what and how
- What + noun phrase. In What a close race that was!, what introduces the noun phrase a close race.
- How + adjective or adverb. In How quickly they finished!, how highlights the degree of speed. The subject they still comes before the verb finished.
What the exclamation point does
An exclamation point signals emphasis. It can end a declarative statement such as We won! or an imperative such as Watch out! Short expressions such as What a race! and Wow! can also stand on their own as exclamations.
