Editing Eh (section)

==== Uses ====
According to the [[DCHP-2]], there are five main uses of ''eh'' with four subtypes.<ref name=":3" /> The first is used to elicit confirmation (1a),<ref name=":3" />  which can be used in sentences like "So that's what he thinks, eh?" A subtype of this use is to elicit acknowledgement (1b).<ref name=":3" /> This applies to the acknowledgment of a fact in contrast to belief or opinion.<ref name=":3" /> For example, one could say "I have a new dog, eh?" The second subtype (1c) is to confirm agreement.<ref name=":3" /> This is used to increase the chance of acceptance of a suggestion, [[Tone (linguistics)|toning down]] statements.<ref name=":3" /> The fourth, (1d), is used as an exclamative over a shared experience, for example "What a great game, eh?"<ref name=":3" />  The final (1e) is to confirm compliance, like asking "Will you?" The belief is that this tones down a command or request.<ref name=":3" /> 

The second main use of ''eh'' is as an expression of disbelief to express one's surprise over the offered information (2).<ref name=":3" /> Use 3 is to elicit repetition, and is referred to as the "Pardon ''eh''." It is used synonymously with "I beg your pardon?" in the sense of asking for a repetition of what was said.<ref name=":3" /> The fourth use is a distinctly Canadian use, identified as the narrative ''eh''.<ref name=":3" /> It is a rarer form, and is claimed to be found primarily in oral evidence of Canadian origin.<ref name=":1" /> The final use of ''eh'' is as a [[metalinguistic]] commentary to express a link with Canada or rural Canada (5).<ref name=":3" /> This form is commentary on the Canadian status of ''eh'' and has contributed its share to the registration of ''eh'' and [[commodification]] of the form in association with Canada.<ref name=":3" /> A popular example of its use is in the phrase "How's it goin', ''eh''?"<ref name=":3" />

Due to English and French being [[Official bilingualism in Canada|Canada's official languages]], the popularity of ''eh''<nowiki/>'s usage in Canada is believed to be influenced by French.<ref name=":2" /> The [[French Canadian]] {{Lang|fr-ca|hein}} sounds similar to a nasalized Canadian ''eh'', and the two share similar functions. Due to this, the increased use of ''eh'' in Canada may have been influenced by the frequent use of ''{{Lang|fr-ca|hein}}'' in [[Canadian French]].<ref name=":2" />

The term is used most frequently among blue-collar workers, and the most popular form used is for opinions and exclamations.<ref name=":3" /> While there is a prevalent stereotype that men use ''eh'' more than women, survey results suggest similar use frequencies. Overall, between both men and women, the pardon-''eh'' is used much less than the observation-''eh''.<ref name=":2" /> The most positively viewed usage of ''eh'' is the imperative "I know, ''eh''?" form with the exclamation-''eh'' and opinion-''eh'' close behind.<ref name=":2" /> The most negatively viewed usage is the anecdotal, narrative-''eh''.<ref name=":2" /> This perception is due to opinions surrounding the speakers of the narrative-''eh'', who are categorized as uneducated, lower-class, rural, and male, akin to the [[Bob and Doug McKenzie|McKenzie brothers]] from the comedy sketch "Great White North," which first appeared during [[Second City Television]]'s (SCTV) third season.<ref name=":2" />

Regionally, while usage is similar across the ten provinces, with the use of ''eh'' not having changed significantly over the past 25 years, there is some variation.<ref name=":2" /> For example, in [[Quebec]], respondents use ''eh'' for 'pardon' more than other Canadians.<ref name=":2" /> While usage has not changed significantly across Canada, the overall frequency of ''eh'' has declined among speakers born in the 1960s or later. This decrease has been prevalent in big cities such as [[Vancouver]] and [[Toronto]].<ref name=":3" /> Despite this decline, there have been high recognition rates and uptake of the Canadian ''eh'' among immigrant populations.<ref name=":2" />