Questions and Intonation: Up or Down? -- American English Pronunciation

Did you go to the party? What did you bring to the party? Party - party. In this American

English pronunciation video, we're going to look at which questions go up in pitch at

the end, and which ones go down.

The questions that go up in pitch at the end are yes/no questions. So, questions that start

with words like did, does, is, and can. Questions that go down in pitch at the end are all other

questions. So let's look at some yes/no questions. Did you pick up the groceries? Groceries?

Did you pick up the groceries? Going up in pitch at the end. Does the store open at one?

One? One? Again, the pitch goes up at the end. Does the store open at one? Can you lend

me a dollar? Dollar? Dollar? Can you lend me a dollar?

And now questions that can't be answered with a yes or no that go down in pitch at the end.

How are you? How are you? Why did you leave? Leave? Leave? Why did you leave? Where're

the keys? Keys? Keys? Where're the keys? Who are you calling? Calling? Calling? Who are

you calling? Which one did you buy? Buy? Buy? Which one did you buy?

Let's look at pairs of questions. Can I borrow your book? Book? A yes/no question, going

up. Where's your book? Book? Book? Not a yes/no question, going down in pitch. Book? Book?

Can I borrow your book? Where's your book?

Did you go to the show? Show -- rising intonation for that yes/no question. How was the show?

How was the show? Falling intonation on a question that does not have a yes or no answer.

Did you go to the show? How was the show?

Did you see Amanda? Manda? Rising intonation. When did you see Amanda? Manda, manda -- falling

intonation. Did you see Amanda? When did you see Amanda?

Don't forget this simple rule. Yes/no question, intonation goes up. Any other question, intonation

goes down.

That's it, and thanks so much for using Rachel's English.