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Les exclamations
An exclamation is any word or phrase that expresses a strong emotion or feeling. The meaning behind the exclamation may be positive or negative, but either way it’s usually
- Spoken suddenly and loudly
- Written with an exclamation point (un point d’exclamation)
Exclamative Adjective
In addition to being an interrogative adjective, quel (and its agreeable feminine/plural forms) is an exclamative adjective, used to emphasize a noun.
Par exemple…
| Quelle catastrophe ! | What a catastrophe! |
| Quels bons enfants ! | What good children! |
| Quel courage tu as eu ! | What courage you had! |
Exclamative Adverbs
An exclamative adverb is a word or phrase that expresses a strong feeling about the clause it precedes.
Par exemple…
| Combien il a grandi ! | He’s grown so much! | |
| Comme tu es belle ! | You’re so beautiful! | |
| Qu’ils sont gentils ! | They are so kind! |
Exclamative Conjunctions
The exclamative conjunctions mais and que reinforce a response (yes/no), phrase, or statement.
Par exemple…
| Mais c’est bizarre ! | That’s so crazy! | |
| Que non ! | Absolutely not! |
Imperative Mood
The imperative is the verb mood used for telling people what to do.
Par exemple…
| Arrêtez ! | Stop! | |
| Fais tes devoirs ! | Do your homework! |
Note that not all uses of the imperative are necessarily exclamations – sometimes the imperative just makes a request or recommendation. See the lesson for details.
Indirect Commands
Since there’s no imperative for the third person, que + subjunctive is used for indirect commands and wishes.
Par exemple…
| Qu’elle arrive saine et sauve ! | May she arrive safe and sound! | |
| Qu’ils se taisent ! | I wish they’d shut up! |
Indirect Exclamations
Strong feelings can be expressed indirectly in sub-clauses.
| Je vois comme il est méchant. | I see how mean he is. | |
| Je sais quelle catastrophe c’était. | I know what a catastrophe it was. |
Interjections
Pretty much any word or phrase can be used as an exclamation if spoken emphatically or written with an exclamation point.
Par exemple…
| Ouaou ! | Wow! | |
| C’est pas vrai ! | No way! | |
| Quoi ! Je ne te crois pas ! | What! I don’t believe you! |
Related lessons
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Learn how to translate French infinitives, imperatives, and participles into English.
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