eh

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "eh" is correct and usable in written English, though it is informal.
You can use it to express uncertainty, seek agreement, or prompt a response from the listener.
Example: "It's a nice day, eh?"
Alternatives: "right?" or "don't you think?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Don't make that mistake again eh? [laughs] Ha, no that never happened again.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

No way, he said, would he and his Basque Nationalist Party PNVV) accept the support of ETA's political wing, Euskal Herritarrok (EH), to form a new administration unless they again renounced violence.

The Economist

Using smaller chunks—right down to individual phonetic units, or phonemes, such as "ar" or "eh"—requires less storage space.

The Economist

The PNV's most recent coalition partners were none other than Euskal Herritarrok (EH), ETA's political wing.

The Economist

Mr Ibarretxe could not now accept EH as partners.What can he do, then?

The Economist

Mr Arzalluz has called for talks on the Northern Irish model, involving all parties including EH.

The Economist

In August the castle keep reopened after a £2.5m re-creation of the interior financed by English Heritage (EH), a conservation quango, and Sea Change, a seaside-regeneration project.

The Economist

EH Shepard's illustrations, as much a part of Pooh as the text, have been lovingly animated and are a delight to look at, even for those substantially older than the target age group.

The Guardian - Books

If EH Bildu ever unseated the PNV, separatism would dominate local politics, just as it does in Catalonia.

The Economist

And he is worried by Sortu, whose electoral arm, EH Bildu, won a quarter of the vote in the Basque elections last year, coming second to the PNV.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Chinese word "qiezi pronounced chee-eh-dze and meaning "aubergine"—fulfils the same function as "cheese" in the English-speaking world, generating what is held to be a restrained yet photogenic smile.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "eh" sparingly in formal writing. It is best suited for dialogue or informal communication where a conversational tone is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "eh" in academic papers, business reports, or other formal documents. It can make your writing seem unprofessional or lacking in seriousness.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "eh" is to act as an interjection. It's often used as a tag question to seek agreement or confirmation. Ludwig examples show it used to emphasize a statement or solicit an opinion, as well as to express apathy or request clarification. Ludwig AI validates that "eh" is usable in written English, though informal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "eh" is a versatile interjection primarily used in informal contexts. It functions as a tag question, an expression of apathy, or a request for clarification. While grammatically correct and very common in conversational English, as validated by Ludwig, it should be used sparingly in formal writing. Consider alternatives such as "right" or "isn't it" in more formal settings. The Ludwig examples illustrate its widespread use in news and media, further solidifying its place as an informal element of the English language.

Alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

right

A simpler tag question seeking confirmation.

huh

Expresses confusion or requests repetition.

what

Directly asks for clarification or repetition.

pardon

A more formal way of asking for something to be repeated.

really

Expresses surprise or seeks confirmation.

you know

Seeks agreement or understanding from the listener.

More alternative expressions

nay

psst

somerset

groans

hah

oi

innit

uhh

ugh

um

robbed

er

uh

laughs

uh huh

huh

yeah

yes

am

heh

FAQs

How can I use "eh" in a sentence?

"Eh" is typically used as a tag question at the end of a statement to seek agreement or confirmation, like in "It's a beautiful day, "eh"?" or to express apathy.

What does "eh" mean?

"Eh" can have several meanings depending on the context. It can be a tag question, an expression of apathy similar to "meh", or a request for clarification like "What did you say?"

What are some alternatives to using "eh"?

Depending on the intended meaning, you can use alternatives like "right", "huh", "isn't it", or simply rephrase the sentence to directly ask a question.

Is "eh" appropriate in formal writing?

No, "eh" is generally considered informal and is not appropriate for formal writing. Use more formal tag questions or rephrase the sentence to avoid using "eh" in academic or professional contexts.