Exclaimed

Exclaimed is the past tense and past participle form of the verb exclaim. To exclaim is to cry out suddenly in surprise, delight, pain, anger, or protest, often in response to something witnessed or heard. In writing, exclaiming is a device used to convey immediacy and emotion, frequently through direct speech: She exclaimed, "What a wonderful morning!" The exclamation may appear in the quoted material, and depending on the style guide, the reporting clause may precede or follow the quotation.

Etymology and related terms: Exclaim derives from Latin exclamare, from ex- "out" andclamare "to cry out." The word entered English in the Middle English period. Related forms include exclamation (a sudden cry or remark) and exclamatory (serving to express excitement or emphasis).

Grammar and usage notes: Exclaim is a transitive verb and is commonly followed by a direct quotation or a clause: "He exclaimed that he was tired" or "He exclaimed, 'I was wrong!'" It signals stronger emotion than verbs like say or remark. In narrative prose, exclamations can heighten dramatic effect; in formal writing, lighter or more neutral verbs are sometimes preferred. Punctuation typically places the exclamation within the quoted material if the emotion is contained there, though style guides vary on comma placement with the reporting clause.

See also: exclamation, exclamatory, interjection.