"You Look Fine" - Understanding Tone and Intonation

1,094 views ・ 2025-05-19

English with Jennifer


Please double-click on the English subtitles below to play the video.

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How good are you at understanding what  someone really means? You hear their words,  
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but do you know the intention behind them?  The same words can take on a completely  
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different meaning when we change our  tone. I'm going to say the same line  
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two different ways. Can you figure out what  I'm trying to communicate to my listener?
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00:18
You look fine.
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You look fine!
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00:20
The first is reassurance. I want to reassure  my listener that there is nothing wrong with  
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their appearance, their clothes, their  hair, or anything else. You look fine.
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The second is a compliment.  I'm expressing my admiration  
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for how good someone looks. You look fine!
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You try it. Record yourself saying this line  both ways. Can you hear a clear difference?
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