10.108 other clause elements

Other clause elements or clauses can be used in exclamations.

Noun groups can be used to show your reaction to something. Some nouns, for example 'rubbish' and 'nonsense', can be used on their own to express strong disagreement.

• 'Love's got to be built on trust.' --- 'Nonsense. Love grows where it grows.'

Predeterminers, especially 'what', are often used before the noun.

• What a pleasant surprise!
• What nonsense!
• Such an intelligent family!
• Quite a show!

Qualitative adjectives can be used on their own, or with 'how' in front of them, usually to show a positive reaction to a statement.

• 'Do you think we could meet? Can you get free?' --- 'I might be able to.' --- 'Lovely!'
• Oh! Look! How sweet!

A prepositional phrase with 'of' can be used to specify a person, and a 'to'-infinitive clause to refer to the action.

• How nice of you to come!
• How nice to see you.

Sentences with 'how' and an adjective or adverb, or 'what' and a noun group can also be used as exclamations. The adjective or noun group is the complement or object of the verb, even though it comes first.

• How nice you look!
• How cleverly you hid your feelings!
• What an idiot I am.
• What morbid thoughts we're having.

'How' can be placed at the beginning of an ordinary sentence to indicate the intensity of a feeling or action.

• How I hate posters.
• How he talked!