Intonation can change the meaning of the sentence

When you say a sentence, what you say is important (content), but also how you say it (intonation).

You can say the sentence with a completely different or opposite meaning.

For example, "I beg your pardon"

If you end with a rising tone: "I beg your pardon?"(↗)

- You make it a question: you are asking the person to say the sentence again.

If you end with a falling tone: "I beg your pardon."(↘)

- You are apologizing and saying sorry to someone.

Intonation is the rise and fall of your voice when you speak. At the end of the sentence, if your intonation is:

• Falling (↘): used for most regular statements and questions that are not yes or no questions

• Rising (↗): used for asking a yes or no question or to show disbelief or anger

How Intonation Changes Meaning

A：Can you get my towel? B：Sorry?（↗）

Sorry? = means I didn't hear you. Could you say that again?

A：Can you get my towel? B：Sorry. （↘） My hands are full.

Sorry. = means I cannot help you

Compare the tones of the words in a sentence.

For example, "I work for the company"

"I (↗) work for the company."

- You are implying that other people do not work in this company.

"I work for (↗) the company.

- You are implying that you are working here and that you are not here to play or fool around.

Interrogative words like:

- who

- which

- what

- how

- when

- where

- why

You can emphasis these words with intonation and it would change the whole meaning.

"Who", for example,

A：Mrs. Clinton asked some students to present their projects tomorrow.

B：Who?（↗）

Who? = means I didn't hear you. Could you say that again?

A：Mrs. Clinton asked some students to present their projects tomorrow.

B：Who?（↘）

A：Maybe you or Ken would like to present first.

Who? = means who do you think is suitable / who are you referring to.

Tag Questions = a statement + mini-question. Used to ask for confirmation.

A：You will come to the party, won't you?（↘）

B：Yes, I will.

-Falling tone: asking for confirmation; I know I have invited you to the party but want to make sure you will come.

A：You will come to the party, won't you?（↗）

B：Yes, I will. / No, I won't.

-Rising tone: asking with no confidence but hoping that you will come, so the answer may be yes or no.

Interaction with others

A：Are you Mr. Smith?

B：Yes.（↘）

A：Here you go.

Yes. = closed question; if the person has nothing more to say / questions to ask, the conversation is over.

A：Are you Mr. Smith?

B：Yes.（↗）

A：Oh, you have a message.

Yes. = asking the person why they are looking for you.

Rhetorical question: questions that is asked to make a point rather than waiting for an answer.

A：Do you think George is ready to lead the sales team?

B：If George is not, who is?（↗）

Even though "who is?" is used here, the person is stating that there is no better person for leading the sales team.

A：Hey, that's James?

B：Isn't he cute?（↘）

Here, the question is not really a question, but a statement saying Melissa is really cute.

Use your instincts to decide with the "whole picture" of the conversation what the meaning is.

Quiz time! Try to answer this question:

James: Katie looked very tired these days.

Lisa: She looked OK to me (↗) .

Q : What does Lisa think of Katie?

〔A〕She saw Katie sleeping at work.

〔B〕Katie said she was fine.

〔C〕Katie told Lisa she was tired.

〔D〕She thinks Katie is fine.

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Answer is (D) = The tone rises on "me" which means Lisa does not agreed with James.

You think Katie looks tired, but she seems fine to me.

↘ Did you get the answer right? Comment below!↙