The rise and fall of the voice during speech is described
by intonation. Falling, rising, and fall-rise intonation are the three basic
intonation patterns used in English.
Falling Intonation
The way the voice falls on the last stressed syllable of
a phrase or group of syllables is known as falling intonation. In w-h questions,
a decreasing intonation is quite prevalent.
*Where’s the nearest post-office?( A fall at the starting
of the word post)
*What time does the film finish?( A fall at the starting
of the word finish)
When we want to be extremely clear about something or
when we declare something definitive, we also utilize falling intonation.
*I think we are completely lost. (A fall at the starting
of the word lost)
*OK, here’s the magazine you wanted. ( A fall at the end
of the word magazine)
Rising Intonation
The way the voice rises at the end of a sentence is known
as rising intonation. Yes-or-no questions frequently use rising intonation.
*I hear the Health Centre is expanding. So, is that the
new doctor?(A rise at the starting of the word doctor )
*Are you thirsty? ( A rise at the starting of the word thirsty
)
Fall-rise Intonation
The voice dips and then rises with fall-rise intonation.
When we wish to express uncertainty or the possibility that we may have more to
say, we use fall-rise intonation at the end of our sentences.
*I don’t support any football team at the moment. (but I
may change my mind in future). (Intonation at the starting of the word don’t
and also a fall at the starting of the word moment and a rise at the end of
it.)
*It rained every day in the first week. (but things
improved after that). (Fall at the end of first and rise at the starting of
week)
When we ask questions, particularly when we want
information or encourage someone to do or have something, we use the fall-rise
intonation. The questions sound more courteous because of the intonation
pattern.
*Is this your camera?( Fall at the middle in camera and a
rise at the end of the same word )
*Would you like another coffee? ( A fall at the beginning and a rise at the ending
of coffee)
References:
Intonation-Grammar-Cambridge-Dictionary.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/intonation%23:~:text%3DIntonation%2520describes%2520how%2520the%2520voice,intonation%2520and%2520fall%252Drise%2520intonation.&ved=2ahUKEwjdnoCG4aCDAxWl3jgGHfR8Bq0QFnoECBQQBQ&usg=AOvVaw0NXKmFh4rQAnUdilwwSUw1
Types of Intonations in Spoken English | Learn English
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.learngrammar.net/a/what-is-intonation-types-of-intonation-in-spoken-english&ved=2ahUKEwjdnoCG4aCDAxWl3jgGHfR8Bq0QFnoECDMQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0MIxvX1JESn2FC_tRbm2wa
Intonations:Definition, Examples and types
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.studysmarter.co.uk/explanations/english/prosody/intonation/&ved=2ahUKEwjdnoCG4aCDAxWl3jgGHfR8Bq0QFnoECDUQAQ&usg=AOvVaw09fHQA2Yn4dpeAk-FV1fLz
-Submitted by Aymen
Musthafa PM.
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Intonation describes how the voice rises and
falls in speech. The three main patterns of intonation in English are falling
intonation, rising intonation and fall-rise intonation.
Falling Intonation
Falling intonation describes how voice falls
on the final stressed syllable of a phrase or a group of words.
Example : I don't think so. (The pitch falls
at the end.)
Rising Intonation
Rising intonation describes how the voice
rises at the end of a sentence.
Example: Is it your birthday ? (The pitch
rises at the end.)
Fall-Rise Intonation
Fall-rise intonation describes how the voice
falls and then rises.
Example: She is coming to the party, isn't
she ? (The pitch rises and then falls, often used in tag questions
or to express uncertainty.)
-Submitted by
Jyothika AC.
