Yikes! Woah! Wow!
How do you use these interjections like a native speaker to connect?
How can you use them to show the person that you listening to them and that you are interested in what they are saying?
Having phrases like these is key to connecting with people in English.
We’ll show you how to do it today.
Hi Lindsay and Michelle,
I’m Sora. I love your show. I enjoy listening to your conversation every morning. It’s amazing, helpful and fun! It probably sound weird, but I feel attached to you like we are old friends.☺︎
I’ve got some question for you.
Q1. Can you clarify the phrase “Last phenomenally”? I’m honestly not sure the phrase, but I’m sure people use it the same as “Finally” and “Lastly”. I like the sound of it. It makes a sentence more dramatic. But I wonder if “Last phenomenally” is the correct phrase/spelling because I never find it out on any dictionary. Am I wrong? If so, can you point out what I misunderstand, please?
Q2. How do you use “yikes”? I have been considering “yikes” as an inappropriate word.(Maybe because it sounds likely as “yuck”.) However, I hear people use it casually, so it seems fine to use. From my understanding, it means “oh no”, “that’ s too bad.”, and “that’s a bummer”. I would appreciate if you explain this word.:) Please keep coming great podcasts! -Warmly, Sora
We are going to skip answering question 1 because “last phenomenally” is not a phrase that we use.
Let’s talk about the second question.
How to use interjections!
Why should you use them? This is a way to show your interest.
When you say something like “yikes’ you are usually responding to something bad or scary or surprising.
- When someone is telling you a story you might say “yikes.” Here is an example:
- A: So I got home from work and my front door was cracked open.
- B: Yikes! What did you do?
- Another example:
- A: My son got all D’s on his report card. I don’t know what to do.
- B: Yikes well I might know some tutors who could help.
Other ways to interject:
- Wow
- Woah
- No way
- Ouch-
- Uh huh
Here is a full list of interjections in English.
Do you have a question from today?
Let us know in the comments below.
