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Oh

Oh as an interjection​

We use oh as an interjection to express surprise or disappointment:

  • A: We’re almost out of petrol.
  • B: Oh*! We’d better find a station*.
  • A: Amanda is very good on the violin. She used to play in an orchestra.
  • B: Oh*! I never knew that*.
  • A: It’s going to cost quite a lot of money to fix the car.
  • B: Oh. What’s wrong with it?

Oh as a discourse marker​

We use oh as a discourse marker to respond to new information or to show that we have just discovered something surprising. We often use it with other discourse markers:

  • I can’t find the switch. Oh right, here it is.
  • A: I need to talk to you urgently.
  • B: Oh okay. Do sit down.

Oh, that’s …​

We often use oh in responses with statements beginning with that’s:

  • A: I tried to book a table at The Quays but they are booked out for Friday night.
  • B: Oh, that’s a pity. We could try that new place, The Corn Market. I’ve heard it’s good.
  • A: Some great news. I got the job in Manchester.
  • B: Oh, that’s wonderful. Congratulations.

Oh yes and oh no​

We often make oh more positive by adding yes, and more negative by adding no:

  • A: The council has agreed to give us some money for the town festival.
  • B: Oh yes! That’s great news.
  • A: The weather forecast says it’s going to rain tomorrow.
  • B: Oh no! What a pity.

Oh right​

We use oh right when we want to acknowledge what has been said and to politely introduce a contradiction:

  • A: I’ve been trying to phone Joe this morning to get an update. He doesn’t seem to be in his office.
  • B: Oh right. Well, I did see his car in the car park.

Oh yeah​

We use oh yeah with a rising intonation as a response token when we are listening to and responding to a story. It shows that we are very interested and want the story to continue:

  • A: So then she decided to tell him what had happened.

↗

  • B: Oh yeah.
  • A: He wasn’t very pleased and then …

Oh well​

We use oh well to acknowledge that what has been said is disappointing. We often add a suggestion after oh well:

  • A: Liz can’t come so one of us will have to drive.
  • B: Oh well. Let’s just get a taxi between us.

Oh dear​

We use oh dear to respond to bad news:

  • A: Veronica’s been in an accident. She’s in hospital.
  • B: Oh dear. What happened?
See also
  • Discourse markers (so, right, okay)