Questions vs. Statements: American English Pronunciation

Today I am going to talk about word stress and questions vs. statements.

In English, statements generally tend to go down in pitch throughout the phrase.

I'll be there by three.

"I'll" is higher than "three".

Questions, on the other hand, tend to go up at the end.

Have you seen Mary? Have you seen Mary?

Let's look at three phrases that can be either questions or statements.

For example: You know what I mean.

This can be a statement

If you're talking to somebody and you're explaining something,

but you know that they understand,

maybe because they've had the same experience.

You might say: You know what I mean.

Statement.

But if you're talking

and you want to make sure that person is understanding you,

you might say: You know what I mean?

asking a question.

Statement: You know what I mean.

You know what I mean. Voice goes down.

Question: You know what I mean?

You know what I mean? Voice goes up at the end.

The simple word "Me" could be a question or a statement.

Let's say, for example, you're with a group of people

and someone says who can help me tomorrow.

You might volunteer and say "Me." , "Me." , "Me."

Voice goes down in pitch. "Me."

But, let's say the person who asked who can help me is staring right at you.

And you feel like: Are they asking me?

Then you might say: Me?

Question. Me?

As in: Are you specifically asking me to help?

Me. Statement.

Me? Question.

See you tomorrow.

Let's say you are at work and you know that

you're going to be at work tomorrow

and so is your colleague.

When you part ways, you might say: See you tomorrow.

Statement.

But maybe you're not sure that your colleague will be there

Then you might say: See you tomorrow?

Question.

That would be like asking: Are you going to be in tomorrow?

See you tomorrow?

Statement: See you tomorrow. Voice goes down.

Question: See you tomorrow? Voice goes up at the end.

Now you will hear some phrases.

You need to decide if it is a question or a statement

based on the word stress.

You’re coming at three... You’re coming at three...

Question.

I am trying to confirm that this person will be coming at three.

You're coming at three? Voice goes up at the end

He saw her yesterday... He saw her yesterday...

Statement. He saw her yesterday.

Voice goes down throughout the phrase.

We're going... We're going...

Statement.

We're going. Voice goes down in pitch

We're going... We're going...

Question. Voice goes up in pitch

He hurt her feelings... He hurt her feelings...

Question. Voice goes up at the end

He hurt her feelings?

They said no... They said no...

Statement. They said no.

Voice goes down in picth throughout that phrase.

We'll see them Monday... We'll see them Monday...

Question. Voice goes up at the end.

We'll see them Monday?