2. The high drop

STATEMENTS

Statements sound as complete and definite with the High Drop as they do with the Low Drop, but they no longer sound reserved or detached. On the contrary, they give the impression of involvement in the situation, of participation, and of a light­ness and airiness which is in contrast to the weight and power of the Low Drop.

Examples

What time is it? It's 'half past ^‛twelve. || I 'didn't ˚realise how ^‛late it was.

How did the game go? 'Very ^‛well. || We won sur'prisingly ^‛easily.

Is Mike still doing well? ^‛Yes, | ^‛Splendidly. || I can 'hardly be^‛lieve it.

This lightness of the High Drop is often an indication of warmth, of a desire not to appear cool towards the listener; and because of this the High Drop is very frequently used in everyday conversation.

Examples

Can you come and see me? I'm a'fraid I ^‛can't. || I've 'got to ˚catch a ^‛train.

What's the time? I 'don't ^‛know. || I sup'pose it's about ^‛twelve.

Consider It was a 'very 'dark _ˎnight, said with the Low Drop: this would be appropriate as the opening of a story, where the narrator wishes to keep aloof from the proceedings; but in conversation, for instance as an answer to the question How did you manage to lose yourself? it would usually, be more suitable to use the High Drop, It was a 'very 'dark ^‛night, since it is lighter in tone and less solemn-sounding.

WH-QUESTIONS

The High Drop is probably the most common way of asking these questions. It avoids the seriousness and urgency of the Low Drop, and such questions sound brisk, businesslike, con­siderate, not unfriendly.

Examples

'What's the ^‛time?

'When did you a^‛rrive?

'How ˚long did it ˚take you to ^‛get here?

If there is no head and the High Fall nuclear tone occurs on the wh-word, there is no detachment or flatness as with the Low Drop. On the contrary, the questions sound bright and interested.

Examples

I saw the Queen today. ^‛Where?

I know an easy way to do it. But ^‛how?

We'll meet tomorrow. Well ^‛when shall we meet?

YES-NO QUESTIONS

As with the Low Drop, yes-no questions asked with the High Drop are put forward as suggestions or as subjects for dis­cussion and decision. The difference is that the Low Drop sounds more serious, whereas the High Drop sounds lighter and less urgent. Often enough the speaker puts the question so that he may answer it himself negatively; he may therefore sound sceptical about the result.

Examples

John says he's got an alibi. 'Can he ^‛prove it? || (I doubt it.)

Shall we tell Frank about it? 'Dare we ^‛risk it?

Shall we try, again? Well 'would it be ˚any ^‛use?

Question tags have the High Fall nuclear tone on the special finite when the preceding word group ends either with a High Fall or with a rising nuclear tone of some kind. In either case, as with the Low Drop, the speaker is demanding agreement.

Examples

It's ri^‛diculous, | ^‛isn't it?

You're not ^‛frightened, | ^‛are you?

It's not im^‛possible, ^‛is it?

Used as independent comments, these phrases express mild surprise but acceptance of the listener's statement.

Examples

I like it here. ^‛Do you? || (I'm glad of that. I thought you mightn't.)

She's thirty-five. ^‛Is she? || (I thought she was younger.)

They won't help us. ^‛Won't they? || (That's interesting.)

With a dissenting word the question demands scrutiny of something which the listener appears to be assuming. Examples

I'm glad the car's all right again But ^‛is it? | (That's the whole point.)

It'll be easy if John helps. ^‛Will he, though? || (We're not sure.)

COMMANDS

With the High Drop, commands seem to suggest a course of action rather than to give an order, as they do with the Low Drop; and even if the intention is to give an order, the speaker does not seem to be worrying whether he will be obeyed or not.

Examples

What shall I do with this rubbish? ^‛Burn it

How much d'you want for it? 'Make me an ^‛offer.

This tea's too hot. 'Put some more ^‛milk in it

INTERJECTIONS

The High Drop here expresses mild surprise, with very much less power and impact than the Low Drop; and the speaker sounds less reserved, less self-possessed.

Examples

Good morning, Jack. Good ^‛morning, Fred. || (I didn't expect to see you here.)

Here's your pen. ^‛Oh, | ^‛thank you. || (I thought I'd lost it.)

It's six o'clock. I must stay in and work. ^‛Heavens!|| (I'm late.)