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Wenwen Posted 14 years ago
Speech & Pronunciation

Intonation for tag questions with imperatives

Hello.
Should my voice go up or down at the end of every tag when I say these sentences?
1.Open the door, will you?
2.Have some tea, won't you?
3.Let us play video games, will you?
4.Let's not go to the movies tonight, okay?

Thanks for your help! Much appreciated.Emotion: smile
  

Top answer

Great question! Your intonation should usually go up at the end of those imperatives, as they are still questions. Generally the more natural way to phrase sentences like these is the begin with the imperative (the intonation still goes up on the last syllable): Will you open the door?

— Guiniveretoo

  • Great question!
  • Your intonation should usually go up at the end of those imperatives, as they are still questions.
  • Generally the more natural way to phrase sentences like these is the begin with the imperative (the intonation still goes up on the last syllable): Will you open the door?
  • Won't you have some tea?
  • " said with excitement and an even, slightly upward, or slightly downward intonation - not as dramatic as the usual intonation with a question.
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2 Answers
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Great question!

Your intonation should usually go up at the end of those imperatives, as they are still questions. Generally the more natural way to phrase sentences like these is the begin with the imperative (the intonation still goes up on the last syllable):
  • Will you open the door?
  • Won't you have some tea?
  • "Will you play video games?" or "Let's play video g
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WenwenShould my voice go up or down ...
Up.

Note that the third one is anomalous. Just use 'OK' instead of 'will you' at the end.

CJ
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