Unemphatic intonation

• Unemphatic intonation in English

  Divided into two main types: falling intonation and rising intonation
• Uses of Falling Intonation

  • Statements
  • Special Questions
  • Commands
  • Exclamatory Sentences
  • First Part of Tag Questions
  • Last Part of Alternative Questions
• Purpose of Falling Intonation

  Indicates finality, completeness, and confidence
• How Falling Intonation Sounds

  The pitch starts high on the last stressed syllable and then drops to a low level
• Falling Intonation


  • Tom is my \friend.
  • Tom is a \journalist.
• Uses of Rising Intonation

  • General Questions
  • Requests
  • Introductory Phrases
  • First Part of Alternative Questions
  • Second Part of Tag Questions
  • Direct Address
  • Enumerations
• Purpose of Rising Intonation

  Can show interest, politeness, surprise, doubt, or incompleteness
• How Rising Intonation Sounds

  The pitch starts a bit lower on the last stressed syllable, dips slightly, then rises
• Rising Intonation


  • Do you have a /pen?
  • Do you have a /pencil?
• Falling intonation gives a sense of certainty and completion, while rising intonation can indicate questions, requests, or an incomplete thought
• Unemphatic intonation in English

  Divided into two main types: falling intonation and rising intonation
• Uses of Falling Intonation

  • Statements
  • Special Questions
  • Commands
  • Exclamatory Sentences
  • First Part of Tag Questions
  • Last Part of Alternative Questions
• Purpose of Falling Intonation

  Indicates finality, completeness, and confidence
• How Falling Intonation Sounds

  The pitch starts high on the last stressed syllable and then drops to a low level
• Falling Intonation


  • Tom is my \friend.
  • Tom is a \journalist.
• Uses of Rising Intonation

  • General Questions
  • Requests
  • Introductory Phrases
  • First Part of Alternative Questions
  • Second Part of Tag Questions
  • Direct Address
  • Enumerations
• Purpose of Rising Intonation

  Can show interest, politeness, surprise, doubt, or incompleteness
• How Rising Intonation Sounds

  The pitch starts a bit lower on the last stressed syllable, dips slightly, then rises
• Rising Intonation


  • Do you have a /pen?
  • Do you have a /pencil?
• Falling intonation gives a sense of certainty and completion, while rising intonation can indicate questions, requests, or an incomplete thought