Intonation in Long Sentences - English Pronunciation with JenniferESL

In this lesson, we'll focus on intonation patterns within longer sentences.

Like the one I just said about boots.

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My model sentences are getting longer now,

so I'm using thought groups or intonation groups.

Remember what those are?

Sometimes our sentences begin with a longer thought.

It could be a phrase or a whole clause (with a subject and a verb).

We can use low-rise intonation to signal that we're not done yet.

There's more information that we'd like to add.

There's more than one intonation pattern we can use in longer sentences.

- Either in that first thought group or a middle thought group.

So I'll share a second.

It involves dropping our voice and then rising again.

Some call it a fall-rise intonation pattern.

We can use this fall-rise in many of the same places as the low-rise.

You try. Let's practice the fall-rise intonation pattern.

Repeat after me.

So what's the difference between the low-rise and and the fall-rise?

I don't believe there's a significant difference.

Both patterns end with a rise, and that signals incompletion.

You're not done with your thought.

There's more coming.

Here's where I think there could be a difference.

Stating lists.

Listen and compare.

I have one pair of sneakers,

a few pairs of boots,

two pairs of sandals,

and...several pairs of dress shoes.

I have one pair of sneakers, a few pairs of boots,

two pairs of sandals,

and several pairs of dress shoes.

When I used low-rise intonation the first time,

I needed time to think.

My statement sounded more hesitant, less certain.

The second time I used fall-rise intonation.

It sounded more certain.

Perhaps even more authoritative.

See if you can understand the difference when I count.

First, I'll use a low-rise.

1...2...3...4...5.

Now I'll try a fall-rise.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Sounds more certain.

I can make it even more certain and perhaps authoritative if I use that "angry parent" voice.

1, 2, 3, 4...

Do you see how the meaning...and the expression changes?

We can even put these two intonation patterns together in the same sentence.

I did this at the beginning of the video when I said,

...and then I add on.

We might also use a fall-rise when we need to pause because we're hesitating to add on.

To finish our thought.

We know what we're going to say, but perhaps what we're going to say is surprising or disappointing in some way.

You'll hear statements like,

You could try, but it may not work.

They're good, but expensive.

Let's put everything together.

We'll read a short text.

I'll mark the thought groups,

show the focus words,

and also show where we rise and fall.

If you want, I'll tell you where I got these leather boots.

Do you want to know?

I got them in Texas.

That's all for now. Thanks for watching and happy studies.