Exclamatives: An overview

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the different structures typically included under the category of exclamative sentences. After discussing the theoretical and empirical problems of defining an exclamative sentence-type, we consider the syntax and semantics of prototypical exclamative sentences, in comparison with interrogative and expressive constructions. Finally, we describe the illocutionary force of exclamative sentences as the prototypical way of performing exclamations.