ENGLISH INTONATION MEANING

H. ORTIZ, UMCE, USACH 2011

1. Statements
1.1

A fall is the neutral tone for a statement; a statement with a fall sounds

complete, confident, definite and unreserved. Speakers can choose between a high
and a low fall, depending on their personal involvement; a high-fall conveys more
involvement and/or excitement than a low-fall, with which they sound objective
and/or serious, e.g.
(1)

We must find someone else. | Andrews hopeless.

(2)

Ill be back on Thursday. | Alan will be in charge while Im away.

(3)

I saw John this morning. | Hes fine. | He sends his re gards.

(4)
(5)

Id like you to come and meet Mark. | Hes the new boss.

Im terribly sorry. | Theres nothing I can do about it.

1.2

A rise, fall-rise or mid-level signals non-finality, i.e. that the statement is

part of a larger structure, e.g.

(6)
(7)
(8)
1.3

When I was in London, | I had lunch with him a couple of times.

'
Since you &ask me, | the answer is no.
If you decide to come | youll be more than welcome.

A fall-rise is also implicational, i.e. the speaker implies something he

may or may not put into words, e.g.

(9)

It seems a &reasonable request, | but its difficult to put it into

practice.

(10)

Id &like to, | but Im a fraid I cant.

(11)

A: Can you play chess?

'
B: &Once I could.

1.4

A speaker who uses a fall-rise has reservations about what is said; the

reservation may or may not be made explicit, e.g.

Hctor Ortiz Lira. English Intonation Meaning. 2011. UMCE. USACH.

(12)

A: What is she like as a student?

B: Well, she &works very hard. | But she has no imagi nation.

1.5

Often a contrast is implied, e.g.

(13)

I know her &face, | but I cant remember her name.

1.6

The fall-rise can also be used for polite (12) and partial corrections (13),

(14)

A: So shes leaving on Thursday.

e.g.
B: On &Friday.
(15)

(Cf. On Friday, which sounds abrupt, perhaps rude).

A: I suppose youre working all the time.

B: On &week days.

1.7

The fall-rise is often used in negative statements, e.g.

(16)

A: I couldnt be more up set.

B: Getting &angry wont help matters.

(17)

A:

@Ready?

B: Im not going &anywhere. (=but only to exclusive places)

(Cf. Im not going anywhere (=Im going nowhere))

1.8

A low-rise used on an independent statement implies a lack of support

for the listener; the speaker sounds non-committal or guarded, e.g.

(18)

A: I cant understand why you re jected it.

B: Very ,simple. | It was not up to ,standard.

(19)

A: Why did you buy so many?

B: The more the ,merrier.

1.9

On the contrary, statements with a low-rise preceded by a high-level

accent sound soothing and reassuring, e.g.

(20)

Ill be back in a ,minute.

Hctor Ortiz Lira. English Intonation Meaning. 2011. UMCE. USACH.

(Cf. the guarded attitude in: Ill be back in a ,minute. | Why all that
,fuss?)
(21)

A:

Coffees ready.

B: Im just ,coming.

2. Wh-questions
2.1

Wh-questions are said with a fall by default; the meaning is business-

like, e.g.
(22)

Where did you go for your summer holiday?

(23)

A: Ive just seen the play.

B: What do you think of it?

2.2

A rise or, less commonly, a fall-rise makes the question more gentle,

sympathetic or deferential. We call this tone the interested rise, e.g.

(24)

Whats your ,name?

(Cf. Whats your name?, unmarked)

(25)

How long did you take to &get here?

3. Yes-no (polar) questions

3.1

The default tone for a polar question is a rise preceded by at least one

high level tone, e.g.

(26)

Do you still ,love me?

(27)

Dont you think we should be ,leaving?

3.2

A rise is also the normal tone for polar questions with the pragmatic

value of requests, e.g.

(28)

May I speak to ,Alan, please?

(29)

Would you say that a,gain?

Hctor Ortiz Lira. English Intonation Meaning. 2011. UMCE. USACH.

3.3

Yes-no questions with a fall sound more insistent and urgent; this tone-

meaning is known as the insistent fall, e.g.

(30)

A: Well never be ready by Friday.

B: Shall we post pone the meeting, then?

(31)

A: Will it rain, do you think?

B: Not according to the &weather report.

A: But can we trust it?

4. Question tags
Question tags can be attached to declarative, imperative and exclamative
clauses. They usually have reversed polarity, i.e. affirmative main clause + negative
tag or negative main clause + affirmative tag; in a few cases, however, they can
have constant polarity, in which case the only possibility is affirmative clause and
tag. Intonationally, they normally constitute independent intonation groups.
4.1

A question tag with a rise is used to ask for information; the listener may

agree or disagree, e.g.

(32)

Youre staying for supper, | ,arent you?

(33)

Youre not very pleased, | ,are you?

4.2

A fall on a question tag appeals for agreement; the speaker leaves very

little room for disagreement, e.g.

(34)

You cant win them all, | can you?

(35)

It was a real sur prise, | wasnt it?

(Cf. It was a real sur prise, | ,wasnt it? = Im interested to know, so
please inform me).

4.3

Constant-polarity question tags can only take rising intonation; B uses

this pattern to acknowledge receipt and invites A to enlarge on it, e.g.

(36)

A: What a beautiful pullover youre wearing!

Hctor Ortiz Lira. English Intonation Meaning. 2011. UMCE. USACH.

B: You like it, | ,do you?

4.4

Commands followed by question tags will be softened if the tag takes a

rise; on the contrary, they will sound very insistent with a fall, e.g.
(38)

Come to my office, | ,will you?

Come to my office, | will you?

4.5

Question tags after commands are very often part of the tail of the main

(37)

clause; the rise, as before, softens the command, e.g.

(39)

Come to my ,office, will you please?

(40)

Come to my office, will you please?

4.6

Exclamations can only be followed by falling question tags, e.g.

(41)

What an excellent show, | wasnt it?

This is a shocking experience, | isnt it?

(42)

5. Independent elliptical questions

Speakers often use abbreviated, constant-polarity yes-no questions as
comments in order to keep the conversation going.
5.1

The default tone for these questions is a rise; a fall conveys slight

surprise but accepting the other speakers opinion, e.g.

(43)

A: Ive decided to become a vege tarian.

B:

,Have you?

(Cf. Have you? | Id no i dea).

(44)

A: I didnt think it was im portant.

B:

,Didnt you?

(Cf. Didnt you? | I thought you did mind).

Hctor Ortiz Lira. English Intonation Meaning. 2011. UMCE. USACH.

5.2

A negative elliptical polar question with a falling tone can be used for

exclamatory purposes, e.g.

(45)

A: The food was de licious!

B:

Yes, | wasnt it!

6. Echo questions
6.1

These questions contain all or some of the words said by the previous

speaker. They ask for repetition and may also convey an element of surprise; they
are said with a high-rise, e.g.
(46)

A: Ill have to resign in March.

B: Youll have to resign in @March?

6.2

The echo question may be structured in different ways, depending on the

element the speaker wants to focus on; the tone is always a rise, e.g.
(47)

Resign in @March?

(48)

Youll have to do @what?

(49)

Youll have to resign @when?

(50)

Youll @what?

7. Alternative questions
7.1

These questions consist of two parts, each of which asks about a

different alternative; intonationally speaking, they are two separate intonation

groups, the first with a rise and the second with a fall, e.g.
(51)
(52)

Are you in Santiago for ,business | or pleasure?

Are you paying in @cash | or by credit card?

Hctor Ortiz Lira. English Intonation Meaning. 2011. UMCE. USACH.

8. Exclamations
These expressions are said with a fall. There are three main types of
exclamations, e.g.
8.1

Those beginning with the exclamation words what and how, e.g.

(53)
(54)

What a lot of nonsense!

How kind of you to let me stay!

8.2

Interjections and statements, e.g.

(55)

Hey, there!

(56)

Thats none of your business!

8.3

Negative yes-no questions, e.g.

(57)

Isnt that ex traordinary!

Arent I ^clever!

(58)

9. Commands
9.1

Commands take a fall by default, e.g.

(59)
(60)

Come over here a minute.

Dont believe everything he says.

9.2

A fall-rise makes the command into a warning; this attitude is less

marked on negative commands, e.g.

(61)

Be &careful. Youll &fall.

(62)

Dont sit on the &stairs.

9.3

A low-rise preceded by a high level tone softens the command, e.g.

(63)

Open your ,mouth.

(64)

Switch off your ,mobiles, please, everybody.

Hctor Ortiz Lira. English Intonation Meaning. 2011. UMCE. USACH.

10. Formulaic expressions

10.1

Formal greetings are normally said with a fall, except hi, which can only

take a fall; a rise is more personal and tends to keep the conversation going; hello
can be stress-shifted before a vocative, e.g.
(65)
(66)

A: Hel lo.
B:

&Hello, love.

A:

Hi.

B: ,Morning. ( Did you sleep ,well?)

10.2

Formal, genuinely grateful thank you is said with a low-fall; a high-fall

may add a hint of surprise; a rise sounds like routine acknowledgement, e.g.
(67)
(68)

A: You deserve every compliment.

B: Thank you.

A: Happy birthday!
B:

Thank you!

(69)

A: Your change, sir.

B: ,Thank you.

10.3

Farewell formulas normally take a rise preceded by a high level tone,

(70)

A: Good,bye, love.

e.g.
B: Bye ,bye. | See you to,morrow.
10.4

If the farewell expression has only one accent, it takes a fall-rise, e.g.

(71)

A:

&Bye, then.

B:

&See you.

Hctor Ortiz Lira. English Intonation Meaning. 2011. UMCE. USACH.

ENGLISH INTONATION DRILLS: 1. STATEMENTS

1.

2.

FALL (complete, confident, definite, unreserved).

When can you come?

Tomorrow morning.

I dont think I can come.

As soon as Im ready.

Expect me when you see me.

Whats his job?

He works at a factory.

He teaches at a girl school.

Hes in com puters at the moment.

He doesnt have a job.

How did the game go?

Very well.
We won a gain.
Four nil to us.
It couldnt have been better, really.

Where does Pete live?

@

Just round the corner.

Next door to the bookshop.
Not very far.
Right at the end of the road.

How did he re act?

He couldnt care less.

He submitted his resig nation.
He burst into tears.
He pretended he didnt under stand.

Whats the matter?

My foots hurting me again.

Im worried about the food.
I dont know what to ex pect.
Ive failed pho netics again.

FALL-RISE (implicational, reserved, contrastive; polite corrections, partial

corrections).
Can you play chess?
@
Have you finished?
@
Do you both like coffee?
@
Its a good plan, | isnt it?

Once I could. (But not any more).

Practically. (Except for a few minor details).
I do. (But not my friend).
I think so. (But I cant speak for the rest).

Hctor Ortiz Lira. English Intonation Meaning. 2011. UMCE. USACH.

How did it happen?

Can I have another pear?
@
Everyones gone home.
He came at a quarter past two.

It wasnt my fault. (But somebody elses).

Sorry. (But theyve all gone).
Not everyone.
Half past two.
A quarter to two.
A quarter past three.

You will play, | wont you?

Was it @twins | or triplets?

What about this sweater?

These apples are terrible.
Is she tall and at tractive?
@
Will you join us?
@
Will you stay?
@
Do you smoke?
@
Are you using the printer?
@
What a lovely voice.
Is it raining?
@

Well. (I must think about it).

Twins. (You mustnt exaggerate).
The colours all right. (But the fits atrocious)
The green ones arent much good. (But...)
Shes tall. (But...)
Id like to. (But I cant).
Well Id love to stay (But I cant).
I do sometimes. (But never indoors).
Not at the moment. (But...)
Yes she has a lovely voice. (But...)
It is at the moment. (But itll soon clear up).

Do you speak French?

@

English.
German.
Spanish.
I can under stand French. (But I cant speak it).

Do you ever go there?

@

Sometimes.
When I can.
If I feel like it.

Thats wrong, then.

It isnt.
It shouldnt be.
Thats what you think.

How am I wrong, then?

Its not de tail, | its detail.

Im not hungry, | Im starving.
I dont think so, | I know so.
Its not difficult, | its im posible.

You dont look well.

I can finish in an hour.
It didnt take you long.
Jill came early today.
Are you going by bus?
@
Sorry I couldnt talk to you.

I feel well.
You cant.
It did.
She was late.
No Im walking there.
You couldve emailed me.

Hctor Ortiz Lira. English Intonation Meaning. 2011. UMCE. USACH.

10

Ive been sacked.

@One more game?
3.

Youre not serious.

Youll miss your train.

LOW-RISE (showing lack of support for the listener; non-committal1, guarded;

preceded by a high-level accent: soothing, reassuring).
Oh I do wish I could go.
@
I dont think we should tell him.
We must win at all costs.
What a horrible week its been!
It was terribly difficult.
No-one can go in there.
What are you going to do then?
Have you been there?
@
Its no use buying that computer.
You forgot to tell him.
Thank you for your help.
@

Im not stopping you.

@
Well someones got to do it.
@
Winning isnt everything.
@
Yesterday wasnt a bad day.
@
Peter didnt complain.
@
Members can.
@
Im not responsible.
@
I have.
@
It works. (So why shouldnt I?)
@
I did not forget to tell him.
@
Youre welcome. It was nothing.
@
@

I hate climbing ladders.

The kettles boiling.
Whos there?
You do believe me, dont you?
@
Who were you talking to?
Are you ready?
@
I must pay you what I owe you.
Im terribly sorry.
So when shall we start?

Its all right. You wont fall.

@
@
Im just coming.
@
Its only me.
@
I do be lieve you.
@
Only a classmate.
@
I shant be a minute.
@
Theres no hurry. Whenever its con venient.
@
@
It doesnt matter. We all make mi stakes.
@
@
Any time that suits you.
@

These journeys always upset me.

Its not much further.

@
Its not much further. (So stop complaining).
@
Just a few bruises.
@
Just a few bruises.
@
Its no trouble.
@
Its no trouble.
@
Nobody will notice.
@
Nobody will notice.
@
You mustnt take it to heart.
@
You mustnt take it to heart.
@
Hes perfectly capable.
@
Hes perfectly capable.
@

Tell me. Is he badly

hurt?

Sorry to make you go out a gain.

@
Ive got odd socks on.
What will they think of me?
What will he do, all on his own?

non-committal: deliberately not expressing your opinion or intentions clearly.

Hctor Ortiz Lira. English Intonation Meaning. 2011. UMCE. USACH.

11

2. WH-QUESTIONS
1.

FALLS (1.1 Low Fall. With no head: detached, flat; with high head: more intense,
more urgent).
You must go now.
He said hed be back.
Take only one of them.

Guess what he wants.

I saw your neighbour to day.

@
Pass me that book, please.
@
Ive asked him several times.
I promise Ill talk to her.

I cant tell you why.

My com puters not working.
Try not to lose your temper.
Shut up.

Ive missed the last bus.

Will you help me?
@
She says shes getting married.

Why?

When?

Which?

What?

Who?

Where?

Which book?

How many times.

When, do you think?

Why not?

Whats wrong with the damn thing?

Who asked your advice?

Who dyou think youre talking to?

How are you going to get home then?

How could I possibly rerfuse?

But whos going to be lieve that?

(1.2 High Fall: lively, interested).

I saw the Di rector yesterday.
@
Im going to England.
Youll never guess whos here.
You can win easily.
Youll have to give it back.
Ill be late, Im afraid.
I dont have time to day.
I have a con fession to make.
Sorry to be so late
@
I dont live here.
You cant eat that.

Where?
When?
Who?
How?
Why?
How late?
When do you have time then?
Now what have you done?
What happened?
Where do you live, then?
But why not?

Ive just seen the new Bond film.

Whats it called?
What do you think of it?
Who did you go with?
Who was in it?

Hctor Ortiz Lira. English Intonation Meaning. 2011. UMCE. USACH.

12

2.

RISE (2.1 Low Rise. With no head: mildly puzzled; calm but disapproving and
resentful; with high head: sympathetically interested).
Im afraid Ill be late.
You have to decide.
Why did you ask him?

No, that ones yours.

His names Kruger.
Shes ninety four.
Ive decided to put it off.

I dont a gree.

What? (You promised youd be early).

@
Why? (I thought it was Petes job).
@
Why? (Because I wanted to).
@
Which one? (I thought it was the blue one).
@
What was that?
@
How old is she?
@
Youve what?
@
Why not?
@

I dont think I can make it.

Theres Tom, over there.

@
Thanks for the invi tation.
We had a very long walk.

See you then.

@
They charged me five pounds.
Youre just the person I need.

Why not?
@
Who is he talking to?
@
What would you like to drink?
@
How far did you get?
@
What time will you be back?
@
They charged you how much?
@
What can I do for you?
@

(2.2 High Rise: calling for repetition; echoing the question before answering).
Im afraid Ill be late.
His names Kruger.
No, that ones yours.
Hell be back on the thirtieth.
These must be Joans notes.
I need at least a dozen.
They lunch there twice a week.
Its number twenty one.
Thats Alecs friend.
He sat on the floor.
We must go digital.

@What? (I didnt hear you).

@What was that? (I didnt quite catch it).
@Which one?
@When?
@Whose?
@How many?
@How often?
Its number @how many?
@Whose friend?
On @what?
Go @what?

Where are you staying?

How did he find out?
Why did you ask him?

Whats that bowl for?

Why is she giving up?
What is it?
Now, what have you been up to?
How many children has she got?
What would you recom mend?

@Where? (At the Plaza).

@How did he find out?
@Why? (Let me see).
Whats it @for? (For the flowers).
@Why is she giving up? ( Business reasons)
What @is it? (Why, a lamp).
What have I been @up to?
How @many?
What would @I recommend?

Hctor Ortiz Lira. English Intonation Meaning. 2011. UMCE. USACH.

13

3. YES-NO QUESTIONS
1.

2.

RISE (1.1 Low Rise preceded by a high head: default tone; genuinely interested;
request).
Im going to do some shopping.
Id love you to come.
I suppose Ill have to.
Thank you very much.

Can I come too?

@
Are you taking the car?
@
Would you like me to drive?
@
Are we going right a way?
@

Hul lo.
@
No.
@

Is this the Browns house?

@
Are you quite sure?
@

Good morning.
Have you seen my pen?
@
What can I do for you?

Now write down the answers.

When can I call for it?

Anybody for more coffee?
@
This is difficult.
This is by far the best option.

Are you coming round tonight?

@
How much do I owe you?

Do I know you?
@
Is this it?
@
Is Johnny in?
@
Will pencil do?
@
Would Friday suit you?
@
May I have another cup?
@
Can I help you?
@
Are you sure?
@
Do you want me to?
@
Shall we for get about it?
@

FALL (Low Rise and High Rise: insistent, urgent; sometimes sceptical).
He says hes ill.

Is he really ill?

Can you be lieve him?

Can we trust him?

Can you find out?

Are you sure, though?

What are your main worries here?

Well be getting more soon.
Yes Im sure we can.
I think we can go ahead.
Its not much of a risk.
Itll be very ex citing!

Have we got enough money for one thing.

Can we re ly on getting more soon?

Dont you think we should wait a bit?

Dare we risk it?

Is it wise to take any risk?

Will you stick to the point, please, Alan?

John says he has an alibi.

Dad will be very up set.
Could she come, do you think?
Lets give her a good talking to.

Can he prove it?

Must we tell him about it?
And does she want to?
Wouldnt it better to ig nore her?

Hctor Ortiz Lira. English Intonation Meaning. 2011. UMCE. USACH.

14

4. QUESTION TAGS
A.
1.

Reversed polarity:

(a) affirmative main clause + negative tag;

(b) negative main clause + affirmative tag.

FALLING TAG (speaker appeals for agreement; he leaves very little room for
disagreement).
What a beautiful day, isnt it?

You were scared stiff, werent you?

Therell be seven of us, wont there?

You ought to be a shamed of yourself, oughtnt you?

The English pure vowels are twelve, arent they?

There are eight diphthongs in English, arent there?

Its Monday tomorrow, isnt it?

Im rather late, arent I?
John could do that, couldnt he?
@
Youll stay for lunch, wont you?
Everyone a greed, didnt they?
Youd like to in vite her, wouldnt you?
You didnt tell anybody, did you?

I cant do two things at once, can I?

It isnt very far from here, is it?

Nobody was hurt, were they?

Youre not going to cry, are you?

You wont mind, will you?

Youre not frightened, are you?
@
Its not im possible, is it?
You can hardly ^blame her, ^can you?
Youre not going to cry, are you?
@
Somebody should be held responsible, shouldnt they?

2.

RISING TAG (speaker is not sure and asks for information).

Therell be seven of us, wont there?
@
The English pure vowels are twelve, arentt they?

@
There are eight diphthongs in English, arent there?

@
Your sisters a nurse, isnt she?
@
Youll stay for lunch, wont you?
@
Hctor Ortiz Lira. English Intonation Meaning. 2011. UMCE. USACH.

15

Its not too late, is it?

@
@
None of them passed, did they?

@
You didnt tell anybody, did you?

@
Youre not going to cry, are you?
@
@
Were not supposed to speak Spanish, are we?
@
There wont be room for us, will there?

@
B.
3.

Constant polarity: affirmative main clause + affirmative tag.

RISING TAG (B acknowledges or infers information previously stated by A and
comments on it).
What a beautiful song!

I dont want to see John today.

Will you pass me that bag, please?

@
Mike shouldnt have been sacked.
Ann decided to ask Mike.
Jeans going to com plain to you.
This weeks impos sible for me.

Hel lo, Im Steve.

You like it, do you?

@
Youve quarrelled with him, have you?
@
Oh, its yours, is it?
@
So you think they were un fair, do you?
@
She thought hed be of help, did she?
@
She is, is she?

@
Youre busy, are you?

@
So youre the new as sistant, are you?
@

C.

Command + question tag.

4.

RISING TAG (Low Rise: speaker softens command, making it more invitational;
tag can be either a separate intonation group or a tail of the main clause).
Come over here a minute, would you?

@
Call an ambulance, will you?

@
Dont just stand there, will you?

@
Be quiet for a moment, will you?

@
Those in a greement raise your hands, wont you?
@

@
Come on, guys, would you?

@
Stop com plaining now, will you?
@
Go on, will you?
@
Wait a minute, will you?
@
Be careful, will you?
@
Dont do that, will you?
@
Keep still a minute, will you?
@
Please dont panic, will you?
@
Stop com plaining, will you?
@
Hctor Ortiz Lira. English Intonation Meaning. 2011. UMCE. USACH.

16

5. INDEPENDENT ELLIPTICAL QUESTIONS

(Question tags used as independent comments)
1.

2.

RISE (Low Rise: disapproving, sceptical; High Rise: default pattern; it keeps
the conversation going).
Toms younger than Pat.
Ill be back on Thursday.
I couldnt help it.
I wouldnt recom mend it.
We are moving to a bigger office.
You shouldnt give her per mission.

Is he? (I thought it was the other way round.)

@
Will you? (Youre usually back on Fridays.)
@
Couldnt you? (Thats difficult to be lieve).
@
Wouldnt you?
@
Are you?
@
Shouldnt I?
@

Toms younger than Pat.

Ill be back on Thursday.
It looks like rain.
They didnt listen.
We had lunch with the Head.
I wouldnt recom mend it.

@Is he? (Its good to know.)

@Will you? (Thank you for telling me.)
@Does it?
@Didnt they?
@Did you?
@Wouldnt you?

FALL (High Fall: mild surprise but accepting; Low Fall: uninterested, probably
hostile; a negative question is used in exclamations).
How quiet it was in there.
I just loved London.
He doesnt like teaching, really.
I must be home by seven.

They wouldnt respect my privacy.

I cant afford the rent anymore.

Was it? (Thats good to know).

Did you? (Im glad to hear that).
Doesnt he? (I had no i dea).

Must you?
Wouldnt they?
Cant you?

Youll like it there.

I couldnt help it.
I cant afford the rent anymore.
Ill sing you my new song.
Theyve decided to go on.
I wouldnt put it past him.

Will I? (I couldnt care less, actually).

Couldnt you? (Thats not very im portant).

Cant you?

Must you?

Have they?

Wouldnt you?

The music was ap palling!

She has an ex traordinary voice.
What a beautiful day!

It rained all day!

Youre a dorable!

It was, wasnt it!

She has, hasnt she!
Isnt it!
Didnt it!
Arent I!

Hctor Ortiz Lira. English Intonation Meaning. 2011. UMCE. USACH.

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6. ECHO QUESTIONS
RISE (High Rise: echoing the listeners question; light and casual).
Have you seen my pen?
@
How much do I owe you?
Thats enough for to day.

Thats a nice tie youre wearing.

What lovely grapes!

Beer will be better than wine.

This is the infor mation we have.

@Your pen? (No, I dont think I have).

@Owe me? (Let me think about it).

@Finished?
Dyou @like it?
Dyou @want some?
Dyou @think so?
Is @that all?

7. ALTERNATIVE QUESTIONS
RISE + FALL (Intonation group 1: High or Low Rise; Intonation group 2: High
or Low Fall).
Are you @staying or leaving?

Do you need @help or can you manage a lone?

Dyou really @mean that or are you just being nice about it?

Can I offer you a @coke or would you rather have a fruit juice?
Shall we say six o clock or is that a bit too late for you?
@
Is he the person who does the cleaning or the cooking?
@
Are you doing the job your self or are you employing someone else to do it?
@

8. EXCLAMATIONS
FALL (High Fall, Low Fall and Rise-Fall: default pattern).
I still cant find it.
He resigned at once.
Alice is getting better now.
He kept me waiting for two hours.
He says it was your fault.
These flowers are for you.

What a pity!

What an in credible thing to do!

What a re lief!
What a shame!
How ri diculous!
How very sweet of you!

Thank you very much.

I passed my driving test.
Can I come too?
@

Not at all! Thank you.

Good for you!
Of course! The more the merrier!

Hctor Ortiz Lira. English Intonation Meaning. 2011. UMCE. USACH.

18

Johns offered to help.

Why dont we repeat the test?
The petrol tanks empty.

A fat lot of use thatll be!

I couldnt agree more!
No wonder the car wouldnt start!

Theres Peter.
Im getting cold, Im afraid.
What do you think of my poems?
There are no more tickets left.

Doesnt he look ill!

Arent all of us getting cold!
Arent they incredible!
Isnt that a pity!

9. COMMANDS
FALL (High or Low Fall: default pattern; Fall-Rise: warning; preceded by a high
head: a softened command; inviting).
We could invite him to par ticipate. Now dont en courage him.

Its not much of a risk.

Well dont say I didnt warn you.

Well dont say I didnt warn you.

@
It was most kind of you.
Dont mention it.

Dont mention it.

@
Can I take a couple?
Take as many as you like.
@
Take as many as you like.
@
May I put some music on?
Make yourself at home.
@
Make yourself at home.
Make yourself at home.
@
Ill carry the plates.
@
May I use the car?
@
This is all the sugar weve got.
We cant expect much of him.
I dont know which to take.
Its not much of a risk.

Be careful.
Well, take care.
Go easy with it, then.
Be patient with him, then.
Well make up your mind.
Well dont say I didnt warn you.

Im afraid Im in your way.

What can we do?

Dont move.
@
Dont panic.
@
Take it easy.
@
Hang on.
@
Dont be long.
@
Dont stay too late.
@
Dont eat it all at once.
@

Can I have his phone number?

@
Im going round to Alans.
I love chocolate.

Hctor Ortiz Lira. English Intonation Meaning. 2011. UMCE. USACH.

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10. FORMULAIC EXPRESSIONS

Hel lo.
-Hel lo.
@
Hi, there.
Hullo, Sheldon.
@
Im off to bed now.
@
Here I am at last.

This is Mr Jones.
Would you like a coffee?
@

You can borrow my car.

How are you?
Heres your change.
@
Thank you very much.
Your taxis here.
Its my birthday today.

May I use your phone?

@
Im a vege tarian now.
We had no sunshine at all.
Youre an ass.

Hello, everybody.
@
Hel lo, there.
Good morning.
Good evening.
Morning.
@
Good after noon, Mr Davis.

Good after noon.

@
Good night, dear.
@
Welcome back!

Welcome to Chile!
How dyou do!

Pleased to meet you!

Thank you. (Genuinely grateful).

Thank you very much.

Thank you very much.

Thank you very much in deed.

Thank you.
Yes, please.
@
No, thank you.
@
Thank you.
Fine, thank you.
@
Thank you.
@
Thank you.
Not at all.
Youre welcome.
Good.
Good.
@
Many happy re turns.

By all means.
Good for you!
Congratu lations!
I beg your pardon. (It was sunny today).
@
I beg your pardon. (How dare you say that?).
@

(Some of these drills have been taken from OConnor & Arnold (1973) Intonation of Colloquial English).

Hctor Ortiz Lira. English Intonation Meaning. 2011. UMCE. USACH.

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