4.2. How to Use the Tunes

Attitude

Tune shape

Example

Statements

Cool, calm, phlegmatic,

absence of interest

Low Level H +

+ LF

or LF

Yes, Mom. Twenty.

It’s mine.

It’s Susan’s.

Considered, weighty, neutral

Descending

Scale + LF

I stayed in 'bed until 'nearly lunch time.

I stayed at 'home and 'worked at my book.

Personal participation

Descending

Scale + HF

It was quite good.

I liked it 'very much.

I wouldn’t 'mind 'seeing it a gain.

Soothing, reassuring, encouraging

Descending

Scale + LR

I shan’t be long.

John’ll be here soon.

I won’t 'drive 'too fast (so don’t worry).

I’ll see.

Since he’s 'keen to do so why 'not let him.

Grumble, disgruntled effect, reprovingly critical

1) Ascending

Scale + HF

2) Low Level H + + LR

the take off

I’ve been trying to 'get 'hold of you all day, but your wretched 'line has been 'out of order.

I didn’t hurt you // (so why make all that fuss?)

2) If the statement has two parts, of which the first is more important than the second

FR spread over the whole sentence

I went to London on Monday.

You can keep it if you really want it.

He was very well when I last saw him.

I’m very comfortable, thank you.

If a statement is intended as a question

Descending

Scale + LR

You like it?

You can’t go?

He doesn’t 'want to lend you it?

Continuation of table 4

1

2

3

For statements which show reservations on the part of the speaker and which might be followed by but or by You must admit or I must admit

Descending

Scale + FR

He’s generous // (but I don’t trust him).

He’s handsome // (you must admit).

I could take you there tomorrow // (but not today).

I like your hat // (I must admit).

It wasn’t a very 'nice thing to do // (you must admit).

Correction, contradiction

Descending

Scale + FR

(He’s forty-five) // Forty six.

(I like him a lot) // You used to like him.

(I can’t do it) // You can’t 'do it that way.

Warning

Descending

Scale + FR

You’ll be late.

I shan’t 'tell you a gain.

You mustn’t shake it too much.

A wide range of emotions from being self-satisfied, smug, complacent to real enthusiasm

RF

Descending

Scale + RF

A marvellous time.

It’s a charming spot.

What a treat.

I simply hated it.

Surprise

HR Wide/ LR/

FR

Descending

Scale + LR

(It seems I’ve lost my passport.) — You’ve lost it.

(I’ve already seen this film.) — You’ve seen it? In a night club? Last night?

Questions

I. Wh-questions (containing Which, What, Who, etc.)

1. business-like neutral

Descending

Scale + LF

What was his name?

2. a) interest in the subject

Descending

Scale + HF

Why did you 'change your mind? // Who on 'earth was that? Which?

and for one-word questions

b) interest in the other person as well as in the subject

Descending

Scale + LR

How’s your daughter?

When are you 'coming to see us?

Continuation of table 4

1

2

3

3. repetition

LR

(It took me 2 hours.)// How long?

(John told me to do it.) // Who told you to do it?

II. Yes-No questions

1. for short questions

used as responses

LF

(John’s on holiday.) // Is he?

(I went to the theatre last night.)// Did you?

2. for all other Yes-No

questions

LR

Have you seen him yet?

Did John post that letter?

Can I see it?

3. for repetition questions of this type

LR

(Will you help me?) — Will I help you?

III. Tag-questions

1. after commands

LR

Come over here, / will you?

Let’s have some music, / shall we?

Hold this for me, / would you?

2. if neither the statement nor the tag-question have the word not in them

LR

You liked it, / did you?

They’d like some more, / would they?

3. where the word not occurs in either the statement or the tag-question and you want the other person

a) to agree with you

LF

It’s cold today, / isn’t it? (forcing the answer ‘yes’)

It was a very good film, / wasn’t it?

You won’t worry, / will you? (No)

b) to give his opinion

LR

You’re coming to tea with us, / aren’t you?

You weren’t here on Wednesday,/ were you?

He didn’t look ill, / did he?

End of table 3

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3

Exclamations

Strong exclamations

HF

Good Heavens!

How extr aordinary!

What a 'very 'pretty dress!

Nonsense!

Splendid!

Real gratitude

LF/HF

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Greeting and saying good-bye

LR

Good morning.

Hu llo.

Good night.

Questioning exclamation

HR

Oh?

Really?

Well?

Exclamations refer to something not very exciting or unexpected

LR

Thank you.

Good.

All right.

Good luck.

Commands

Strong commands

LF/ HF

Descending Scale + LF/HF

Don’t be a 'stupid idiot.

Take your 'feet off the chair.

Come and 'have dinner with us.

Have some cheese.

Pleading, soothing, reassuring (more a request than an order)

FR spread over the whole sentence

Shut the window.

Do have some more tea?

Send it as soon as you can.

Don’t make me angry.

Commands with only one important word

FR

Try.

Take it.

Lend it to them.

Encouraging commands often used in speaking to children

Scandant Head + LR

Don’t 'forget your scarf.