英语句子的音调的升降规则

英语句子的音调的升降规则
the rules of intonation in English.
Intonation in English refers to the rise and fall of pitch in a sentence. It plays an important role in expressing different emotions, attitudes, and intentions in spoken language. Understanding the rules of intonation can greatly improve one's spoken English skills. In this article, we will explore the rules of intonation in English and provide examples to illustrate each rule.
1. Statement intonation
In English, the general rule for statement intonation is that the pitch falls at the end of a sentence. This falling intonation indicates that the speaker is making a statement or expressing a complete thought. For example: - "I am going to the store." (Falling intonation on "store")
2. Question intonation
When asking a yes-no question in English, the pitch rises at the end of the sentence. This rising intonation indicates that the speaker is seeking confirmation or clarification. For example:
- "Are you coming with me?" (Rising intonation on "me")
3. WH- question intonation
When asking a WH- question in English (questions that begin with who, what, where, when, why, how), the pitch also rises at the end of the sentence. This rising intonation serves the same purpose as in yes-no questions, indicating that the speaker is seeking information. For example:
- "Where are you going?" (Rising intonation on "going")
4. Tag question intonation
Tag questions in English are used to confirm or seek agreement with a statement. The intonation pattern for tag questions is that the pitch rises at the end of the tag. For example:
- "You're coming, aren't you?" (Rising intonation on "you")
5. Imperative intonation
In English, the intonation for imperatives (commands or requests) can vary depending on the speaker's intention. A falling intonation is commonly used for strong, confident commands, while a rising intonation can be used to make a request or suggest a course of action. For example:
- "Close the door." (Falling intonation for a command)
- "Can you pass me the salt?" (Rising intonation for a request)
6. Emphatic intonation
When a speaker wants to emphasize a particular word or phrase in a sentence, they may use emphatic intonation. This involves a sharp rise in pitch on the emphasized word or phrase. For example:
- "I didn't say he was coming." (Rising intonation on "coming")
7. Contrastive intonation
In English, contrastive intonation is used to indicate a contrast or contradiction in meaning. This involves a rise in pitch on the first part of the contrast and a fall in pitch on the second part. For example:
- "I said I wanted the blue shirt, not the red one." (Rising intonation on "blue shirt", falling intonation on "red one")
Understanding and applying the rules of intonation in English can greatly enhance one's spoken communication skills. By paying attention to pitch patterns and using the appropriate intonation for different types of sentences and contexts, one can convey their intended meaning more effectively and accurately. Practice and exposure to natural spoken English can also help learners develop a more intuitive sense of
intonation. Overall, intonation is an important aspect of spoken English that should not be overlooked.。