1. Exclamatory Sentences
Ed McCorduck
English 402--Grammar
SUNY Cortland

2. slide 2: characteristics of exclamatory sentences
Exclamatory sentences have wh-words (usually only what and how) as modifiers of elements in deep structure.
the wh-words and the elements they modify are fronted in the surface structure (and in Reed-Kellogg diagrams of exclamatory sentences the w and h of surface-initial What and How are capitalized)
English 402: Grammar

3. slide 3: example of an exclamatory sentence and its Reed-Kellogg diagram
How ghastly he looks!
English 402: Grammar

4. How you’ve ruined my life!
slide 3: another example of an exclamatory sentence and its Reed-Kellogg diagram ex
How you’ve ruined my life!
English 402: Grammar

5. slide 4: special rule for Reed-Kellogg diagrams when how or what modifies a modifier
In Reed-Kellogg diagrams, if the what or how of an exclamatory sentence itself modifies a modifier (i.e., an element normally drawn below the main horizontal line such as a determiner, preposition or adverb), the how or what is connected to the modifier through a special structure:
English 402: Grammar

6. ex What a lamebrain she is!
slide 6: example of an exclamatory sentence with a modifying what and its Reed-Kellogg diagram ex
What a lamebrain she is!
English 402: Grammar

7. How swiftly the baying hounds run!
slide 7: example of an exclamatory sentence with a modifying how and its Reed-Kellogg diagram ex
How swiftly the baying hounds run!
English 402: Grammar

8. What a crock you’re handing me!
slide 8: another example and diagram of an exclamatory sentence with a modifying what ex
What a crock you’re handing me!
English 402: Grammar