Is It Whoa or Woah?

The word "whoa" is an interjection that has a traditional usage of commanding a horse (or sometimes a person) to slow down or stop. It can also be used to express surprise or shock. However, because it is an interjection, it is not typically used in formal or academic writing.

In the UK, the variant "woah" is more commonly used than in the US, but many dictionaries do not consider it an accepted variant of "whoa." In US English, "woah" is still always considered nonstandard.

Examples of Woah and whoa in a sentence

• Woah, that was a close call!
• Whoa, slow down! You're driving too fast.
• Woah, did you see that amazing trick?
• Whoa, I didn't expect that plot twist in the movie.

Whoa is an interjection

The term "whoa" is a volitive interjection that is often used to direct a horse or a person to slow down or stop what they're doing. To emphasize the urgency or intensity of the command or thought, "whoa" is typically followed by an exclamation point.

Examples of Whoa as a volitive interjection

• "Whoa, there, slow down!" shouted the horse rider as his horse began to gallop faster than intended.
• "Whoa, stop right there!" yelled the police officer as the suspect tried to run away.
• "Whoa, careful with that knife!" exclaimed the chef as his sous chef made a reckless chop.

Whoa can also function as a cognitive interjection that conveys astonishment or wonder.

Examples of Whoa as a cognitive interjection

• Whoa, I never thought of it that way before.
• Whoa, that's a lot of money to spend on a single item.
• Whoa, this view is incredible!

Frequently asked questions

1. What punctuation mark is most closely associated with interjections?

Interjections are often punctuated with exclamation points to emphasize the intensity of the emotion, thought, or demand being expressed (e.g., "Whoa!").

However, when the emotion or thought being expressed is less intense, interjections can also be followed by a period or a comma (e.g., "Oh, I didn't know that.").

2. What are some examples of interjections?

Interjections can convey a range of meanings depending on their context and usage. Below are some commonly used interjections with their corresponding meanings.