Intonation in yes/no (general questions) questions.

1. General questions are most common with the Low Rise tone preceded by the Falling head, which expresses genuine interest.

Is anyone `absent to ֽday? Have you been `studying ֽlong?

2. However, when general questions are said with the Low Fall they are interpreted as a serious suggestion or a subject for urgent discussion:

`Shall we post`pone?

`Haven’t you `noticed the mis`take?

3. In short questions used as responses like 'did you?' 'have you?', 'has she?' the low fall is used, e.g.:

I `went to the `theatre `last night. `Did you?

He `hasn't been `invited. `Hasn’t he?

Intonation in alternative questions with ‘or’

An alternative question indicates the choice between two or more homogeneous parts; it usually has two intonation groups: the first one represents all the alternatives with the exception of the last one, which is considered to be the final intonation group.

The most common way of pronouncing alternative questions is to use the Low Rise in the first intonation group and the Law Fall in the final one, e.g.:

`Have you a `son or a ֽdaughter?

Intonation in a list, enumeration.

Enumeration in simple sentences is represented by a number of homogeneous parts. Each of them is pronounced as a separate intonation group.

Low Rise is usually used in the non final intonation segment showing that there is more to be said, that enumeration will be continued; the final intonation segment is represented by Low Fall, thus showing completeness, e.g.:

I `bought some `socks, `shirts and ֽties.

All he `does is `sleep, `eat and ֽplay.

Intonation in a surprise

Intonation in surprise depends on its degree: from mild surprise to astonishment.

1. High Fall expresses mild / affronted surprise, e.g.:

Look! It’s `stopped `raining! Oh `yes, so it `has!

He’s `broken a `leg! How `awful!

ֽDid you call him a liar? Good ֽheavans `no!

2. High Rise or Rise Fall expresses astonishment, e.g.:

I’ve `just seen `John. Oh! `What!

A `young `woman `asks to ֽsee you! A `young ʌwoman!

3. In a conversation we can show surprise by repeating the other person’s words. In this case the intonation goes up, e.g.:

I’m af`raid you’ve `made a `mistake, sir. A mis ֽtake?

They `changed the `timetable. ֽChanged it?

Intonation in exclamations

1. Exclamations are very common with High Fall, in this case it is very emphatic and emotional, e.g:

`Good `evening!

`Good `morning!

How `late you `are!

Mag`nificent!

2. The High Rise intonation pattern is also emphatic, implies suggestion, e.g.:

ֽCome in!

ֽGo on!

ֽSit down!

3. Rise-fall intonation is a very common usage when the speaker is surprised.

ֽWhat a `cold `day!

ֽWhat a `fast `car!

ֽWhat a `beautiful `day!

Intonation in suggestions.

1. The common intonation pattern in suggestions is the High Fall, e.g.:

`Let me `read! `Let's `go `home!

2. The rising tone in suggestions is an emphatic usage, the speaker sounds friendly

`Have a ֽholiday, Mrs. `Bloggs! `Stop ֽwashing, Mr. `Wong!