The low fall

The low fall is used in calm, unsurprised, reserved exclamations.

E.g. Would you like an apple? – ˎThank you.

He’s just arrived. – ˎFine!

Exercise 1.

Read the following conversational situations. Use the low fall in the exclamations. Sound calm and reserved.

1. He’s just arrived.– ˎOh!

   • ˎRight!

   • ˎGood!

   • ˎFine!

2. Would you like an apple? – ˎThank you.

3. Oh, I’m cold.– ˎNonsense!

• ˎRubbish!

4. I’ve lost my umbrella. – ˎPity!

5. Did you lock the back door? – ˎSure.

6. I’m afraid I’ve got a cold. – No ˎwonder.

7. All the students are present. – ˎFine!

8. Here’s the book. – ˎThanks.

9. You’ve got many mistakes in pronunciation. – ˎOh!

10. We can go now. – ˎFine!

11. Don’t go so fast. – ˎGood!

In pattern (LOW PREHEAD +) DESCENDING HEAD + LOW FALL (+ TAIL)

exclamations are rather emphatic.

E.g. The exams are over at last. – ˈIsn’t it ˎwonderful!

Exercise 2.

Read the following conversational situations, use the low fall. Be emphatic.

1. It’s my birthday today. – ˈMany ˈhappy reˎturns!

2. She refused my help. – What a ˈstrange ˈthing to ˎdo!

3. Hello, Jane! – It’s ˈvery ˈnice to ˎsee you, ˏHarry!

4. So sorry he’s left. – What a ˈpity we ˈdidn’t ˈring ˎsooner!

5. I really wanted so much to see her. – It’s a ˈpity you ˈdidn’t ˈcome a ˈbit ˎearlier.

6. What nasty weather we are having! – ˈFancy such a ˈday in Juˎly!

7. Fine day, isn’t it? – What ˈlovely ˎweather we are having toˌday!

8. I’m going on a voyage round Europe. – What an extraˈordinary ˈpiece of ˎluck!

9. He says it’s your fault. – How riˎdiculous!

10. I’ve sprained my ankle. – Too ˎbad!

11. I’ll give you an interesting book to read. – ˈThanks ˎawfully.

12. It’s my birthday. – ˈVery ˈmany ˈhappy reˈturns of the ˎday!

13. Lovely day, isn’t it? – ˈIsn’t it ˎbeautiful!

14. Here’s to you! – Your ˈvery ˈgood ˎhealth!

15. She asked us to tea. – How ˈperfectly ˎcharming of her!

16. Here’s your tea. – What a ˈbig ˈpiece of ˎcake you’ve ˌgiven me!

17. We are going picnicking. – What a ˈpleasant surˎprise!

18. Isn’t it mild today? – What a ˈdifference from this ˈtime last ˎweek!

Exercise 3.

Reply to the verbal context, use the low fall. Keep the attitude in mind.

1. What do you think of the book? – …

2. I’d like to see you tomorrow. – …

3. How much have you paid for it? – …

4. How long have you been there? – …

5. What have you bought for lunch? – …

6. I’m afraid I can’t do it in time. – …

7. I’m afraid I don’t understand you. – …

II

The high fall

Pattern: (LOW PRE-HEAD +) HIGH FALL (+ TAIL)

The high fall in the nucleus starts very high and usually reaches the lowest pitch. The syllables of the tail are pronounced on the low level.

This intonation pattern is used in exclamations which are very emotional and sometimes they are pronounced with affronted surprise.

E.g. It’s eight o’clock. – `Heavens! I’m late. (affronted surprise)

Exercise 1.

Read the following conversational situations, use the high fall. Sound emotional.

1. Alice is coming as well. – `Really! `Splendid!

2. Will you have a drink? – `Thank you!

3. I’ll give it to you. – How `lovely!

4. I’m most grateful to you. – Don’t `mention it, my ˌdear ˌchap.

5. Isn’t it a lovely view! - En`chanting!

6. Thank you very much. – `Thank you.

7. Would you like to stay up for the television? – In`deed I would.

8. I’ve been helping Tom, Mummy. – `That’s a ˌgood ˌgirl.

9. How are you getting on? – `Wonderfully.

10. I’ll ring you on Sunday. – `Fine!

11. It all depends on the weather. – E`xactly so!

12. I shall take you to the Opera House. – `Settled.

13. Will you be ready by six? – De`cidedly!

14. I believe he’s finished his job. – I `think so.

Exercise 2.

Read the following conversational situations, use the high fall. Pronounce the exclamations with affronted surprise.

1. He’s over seventy. – `Well!

2. She says you are to blame. – What `nonsense!

3. Hello, Mary! – Oh, `there you are, Tom.

4. I’ll ring you up on Sunday. – Oh, `no! That `won’t do!

5. It all depends on the weather. – `Far from it.

6. Will you be ready by six? – ˌSurely `not!

7. She says she’s twenty nine. – `Nonsense!

Pattern: (LOW PRE-HEAD +) DESCENDING HEAD + HIGH FALL (+ TAIL)

The high fall starts from a higher pitch than the preceding syllable of the descending head. It is used in exclamations, conveying mild surprise without the affront.

E.g. Tom has passed his exam. – ˈWell ˈfancy `that! (mild surprise)

Exercise 3.

Read the following conversational situations, use the high fall. Convey mild surprise.

1. I forgot every word about it. – What a ˈfine ˈmess you’ve ˈmade of `things!

2. We’ll go there on Friday. – The ˈsooner the `better!

3. I’m sorry to have to vote against you. – A ˈfine ˈfriend you ˈturned ˈout to `be!

4. She’s laid up with quinsy again. – ˈPoor `thing!

5. Hallo, Fred! – ˈWell if it ˈisn’t my ˈold ˈfriend `Tom!

6. He’s sending you a copy. – How ˈvery `nice of him!

7. He’s actually engaged. – ˈWould you be`lieve it!

III