Intonations

Question

Hi guys, I was wondering if you help me with intonation dilema.

highlighted words and decide whether the voice rises or falls .

1.	“Are you hungry?” “No, I’m fine.”
2.	“You live in , don’t you?” (you are unsure)
3.	“It’s nine o’clock. Here is the news.”
4.	“Please sit down. Would you like anything?”
5.	“Where are you going for your holiday?”
6.	“Would you like a drink?”
7.	“What the hell?”
8.	“How many sugars do you want in your coffee?”
9.	“Don’t forget. You have to feed Timmy three times a day.”
10.	“What did you say?” (you didn’t hear clearly)
11.	“You live in , don’t you?” (you need confirmation)
12.	“You have how many CDs in your collection?”
13.	“Another twelve soldiers died in yesterday.”
14.	“Are you mad? You can’t drink 17 pints of beer in one hour.”

Jacobk · Accepted Answer

My answer are:

1.rises

2.falls

3.rises

4.falls

5.rises

6.rises

7.falls

8.rises

9.rises

10.rises

11.falls

12.rises

13.rises

14.fall

P.S. I am very grateful for any help given.

Philip · Answer

Generally:

statements end with a fall in the voice (I'm going to the movies tonight);

questions asking for information end with a fall; (Where are you going?);

yes-no questions end with a rise (Are you two brothers?).

*One can perceive the information question with something between a rise and a fall, depending on the speaker's intent.

*In the above, 7, 10 & 12 are emphatic, so the intonation may vary somewhat.

LouiseT · Answer

Hello jacobk and welcome to Enlgishforums [

]

I can give you the answer for how I speak. I am a native speaker of British English from the south of England. People have different intonations depending on their back grounds.

highlighted words and decide whether the voice rises or falls .

1.	“Are you hungry?” “No, I’m fine.” rises
2.	“You live in Leeds, don’t you?” (you are unsure) rises
3.	“It’s nine o’clock. Here is the news.” falls
4.	“Please sit down. Would you like anything?” falls
5.	“Where are you going for your holiday?” rises
6.	“Would you like a drink?” rises, falls or flat depending on the situation and anticipated response.
7.	“What the ********?” rises or falls depending on context
8.	“How many sugars do you want in your coffee?” falls
9.	“Don’t forget. You have to feed Timmy three times a day.” falls
10.	“What did you say?” (you didn’t hear clearly) rises
11.	“You live in London, don’t you?” (you need confirmation) falls
12.	“You have how many CDs in your collection?” rises
13.	“Another twelve soldiers died in Iraq yesterday.” flat
14.	“Are you mad? You can’t drink 17 pints of beer in one hour.” rises or flat

CalifJim · Answer

LouiseT5.

“Where are you going for your holiday?” rises

Wow! Are you serious? That's definitely not American practice! To me it would sound "prying" or "coy" to ask it like that!

Very interesting, this rising and falling thing!

CJ

LouiseT · Answer

CalifJimWow! Are you serious? That's definitely not American practice

Hi CalifJim

Yes I am serious. I am not American but from the South of England. I don't know how anyone else says it but that is how I do it. It sounds enthusiastic rather than prying. Well - I think so anyway.

Yes is is interesting and I guess we all do it differently.

Anonymous · Answer

HAPPY NEW YEAR YEAR EVERYONE!

Ok, answer time!

1. Rises

2. Rises

3. Falls

4. Falls

5. Falls

6. Rises

7. Rises

8. Falls

9. Falls

10. Rises

12. Rises

14. Rises

Jacobk · Answer

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

"Hello jacobk and welcome to Enlgishforums"

Thanks, Louise!

Ok, answer time!

1. Rises

2. Rises

3. Falls

4. Falls

5. Falls

6. Rises

7. Rises

8. Falls

9. Falls

10. Rises

12. Rises

14. Rises

Intonations

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions