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The shortest sentences in English are exclamations. By the way, by the number of such exclamations in a speech, one can judge the level of the speaker - the more sentences consisting of one word, the lower the level. However, such suggestions should not be avoided. And here's why: with them, speech becomes more emotional.
We suggest that you also decorate your speech with expressions that convey surprise.
Table. Expressing emotions: Exclamations and surprise in English.
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Incredible! |
Incredible! |
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unbelievable! |
Incredible! |
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It's impossible! |
It's impossible! |
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It can't be true! |
It can not be true! |
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I can't believe it! |
I can not believe it! |
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Dave got the job, I can't believe my ears! |
Dave got the job, I can't believe my ears! |
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Would you believe it? |
Do you believe in it? |
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I don't believe a word of it! |
I don't believe a single word! |
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I find it difficult to believe! |
I find it hard to believe! |
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It's hard to believe! |
Hard to believe! |
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They can't have missed it! |
They couldn't miss it! |
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Well, I never! |
I? Never! |
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You must be joking! |
You must be joking! |
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You're joking, right? |
Are you kidding? |
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Are you kidding? |
Are you kidding? |
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So, you are asking me to find a girlfriend for you, are you kidding me? |
So you're asking me to find you a girlfriend. Are you kidding me? |
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Kelly got the sack after her presentation, No kidding? |
Kelly was fired after the presentation, are you kidding me? |
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No shit! |
Gosha! |
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Are you shitting me? |
Are you kidding? |
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You're not serious! |
You are not serious! |
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You don't say! |
No need to say! |
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They published my article, I'm dreaming! |
I must be dreaming: my article was published! |
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Really? |
Truth? |
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Fancy that! |
Imagine this! |
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My foot! |
Blimey! |
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I'm speechless! |
I have no words! |
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Are you sure? |
You are sure? |
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Are you positive? |
You are sure? |
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Jane has come to my wedding, what a surprise! |
Jane came to my wedding, what a surprise! |
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Andrew didn't tell her my secret, that was the last thing I expected. |
Andrew didn't give her my secret. This is the last thing I expected. |
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You were invited to the show. How amazing! |
You were invited to the show. Marvelous! |
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I am astounded! |
I'm shocked! |
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I'm shocked! |
I'm shocked! |
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I was surprised at her being honest. |
I was surprised that she was honest. |
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I would never have thought it possible! |
Never would have thought it was possible! |
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How in the world can you do that? |
How do you do it, tell me? |
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How could you say that to her for God's sake ? |
How in the hell could you tell her that? |
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It took my breath away! |
It even took my breath away! |
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It's too good to be true! |
This is too good to be true! |
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That's a good one! |
And that's not bad! |
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You're pulling my leg, aren't you? |
You're kidding, right? |
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You, of all people! |
You? For heaven's sake! |
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I'm sure he's lying. |
I'm sure he's lying. |
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How could you approach him unnoticed? |
How could you approach him without being seen? |
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Who could have imagined that ? |
Who would have thought? |
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Who would have thought you would marry David? |
Who would have thought that you would marry David? |
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I would never have expected such an answer! |
I would never have expected such an answer! |
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I didn't expect Jo to come on time. |
I didn't expect Joe to come on time. |
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She was amazed at his retelling the story with an American accent. |
She was struck by the fact that he recounted the story in an American accent. |
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No wonder he failed! |
No wonder he failed! |
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It comes as no surprise that Jane dumped him after the honeymoon. |
No wonder she left him after their honeymoon. |
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I can't imagine you did that. |
I can't imagine you did it. |
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I'll believe it when pigs fly! |
I will believe it when the cancer hangs on the mountain. |
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It's unbelievable that this team participates in the Olympics. |
It's incredible that this team is participating in the Olympics! |
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I just can't believe we are together again. |
I just can't believe we're back together. |
So, let's sum up. Pay attention to the following expressions:
You can't have done ... - It can't be that you did something
How + adjective! - How…!
I am surprised at something / doing something - I am surprised at something / that someone did something
I didn't expect you to do - I didn't expect you to do anything
I am amazed at something / doing something - I am amazed at something / that someone did something
