Imperatives (soothing, encouraging, calmly patronising)

I just can't quite manage it. Well, keep trying.

I'm just going. Have a good time.

What a nuisance it all is. Don't worry.

Am I disturbing you? No, come in.

I'll go to the country today. Don't be silly. The frost is se­vere.

I can't do it. Try it again. .

It's so hot here. Open the window.

I am going for a walk. Don't be long.

I am cold. Shut the door.

A button has come off my coat. Sew it on.

There is a new film this eve­ning at the club. Let's go and see it.

I can't hear what you are saying. Switch off the radio then.

What a frightful storm. Don't be afraid.

I'll start in half an hour. Don't be late.

Exclamations (encouraging, airy, friendly)

Have a good holiday. And you.

I'll be back later. Good bye for the present.

You've got the wrong number. Sorry you've been troubled.

More tea? No thanks.

My name's Lumpkin. I beg your pardon.

I'm just going. Have a nice time.

I'll take my exam tomorrow. Good luck, my boy!

More tea? No, thank you.

I'll see you on Sunday. Right you are!

Intonation Pattern V (LOW PRE-HEAD +) FALL-RISE (+TAIL)

Do you often go to the theatre? - Sometimes. Of course, I do. Yes.

Stress-and-tone marks: Fall-Rise: [ ].

This intonation pattern is used:

In statements expressing concern, reproach, contradiction, correction, hurt feelings, sometimes soothing.

The Fall-Rise is also used in non-final intonation-groups or in sen­tences of different communicative types instead of the low-rising nuclear tone to draw particular attention to one of the words for the purpose of contrast or to intensify the significance of the communicative centre. e.g. I wish we'd left earlier. - That wasn't my fault. It's so hot in this room. - I don't think so. You'll be thirty-five soon. - Thirty four. Is it going to rain? - I hope not.

Do you work every day? - On week days I work, but on Sundays I don't.

EXERCISES

Read the following conversational situations, intone the replies according to the suggested attitudinal meaning and read them properly.

Shall I go on? Do, please.

May I take your ball-pen? Do, please.

Shall I switch on the tape-record­er? Do, please.

Will you pass me the mustard, please? Here you are.

Will you please give me a little more porridge, dear? Just a moment.

Are you ready to go now? Just a moment.

Where do I sign? Here please.

What do you say to a bottle of beer? No beer, thanks.

How are things? Quite all right, thank you.

Let's go to the dining-room. This way, please.

Mr. White wants to see you, Harry. Show him in, please.

I'm just finishing this article. Will you wait a minute, please?

We must leave at once to be in time for the beginning of the discussion. Right you are.

Don't you find it difficult to study mathematics? Rather.

What about going there together? All right, Eddy.

Shall I put some more sugar on your porridge, John? No more, thank you.

Why aren't you eating anything, Kitty? I don't like porridge.

Excuse me, what country are you from? I'm from Poland.

Excuse me, but I must be off. I'm so sorry.

Intonation Pattern VI (LOW PRE-HEAD +) FALLING HEAD+FALL-RISE

Type out this letter at once. - I can't possibly finish it now.

This intonation pattern is used in statements, commands and other communicative types of sentences to express the same attitudes as In­tonation Pattern V. Stressed syllables of the head sometimes glide down.

e.g. I didn't know you drank coffee. - I do sometimes.

EXERCISES

Read the following conversational situations, intone the replies according to the suggested attitudinal meanings and read them properly.

Statements (expressing concern, hurt feelings, reproach, contradiction, correction, uncertainty, contrast, grumbling)

Are you coming for a swim? Not I.

May I come to your lecture? There'll be nothing new in it for you.

What about this green dress? I shouldn't buy that one if I were you.

The recipe says a pound of dried fruit. I doubt whether a pound will be enough.

I'd like to go, but it's such an expensive journey. You shouldn't let the cost of it deter you from going.

Are you coming to dinner tonight? I will if I can.

Everyone's at home. Not everyone.

What a nice house! It isn't a large one.

He won't come, I tell you. He hasn't definitely refused.

I came at a quarter past two. Half past three it was.

Here I am. You're rather late.

Do you like my hat? If you don't mind my saying so, it's terrible.

I don't know what to do about it. If I were you, I'd wait and see what happens.

It's not easy, you know. But not impossible.

She speaks English quite flu­ently. But with a shocking accent, doesn't she?

Commands (urgent, warning)

She's an absolute failure. Now be fair.

You're a clumsy oaf. Steady on.

We'll leave before dawn. Have a heart.

Look, Mummy, I'm right at the top. Mind you don't fall.

Intonation Pattern VII (LOW PRE-HEAD+) LOW HEAD+LOW RISE <+TAIL)

He says he'll never speak to me again. - He doesn't really mean it.

Stress-and-tone marks: a stressed syllable of the low head: [ ].

In the usual form of the low head, all the syllables contained in it are said on the same, rather low pitch.

This intonation pattern is used:

1. In statements, encouraging further conversation; reprov­ingly critical, guarded, reserving judgment, appealing to the listener to change his attitude. e.g. I'm just back from seeing my mother. - I trust you found her well.

Take no notice of him. - We must do as he says.

2. In questions: a) special questions, calm, but very disapproving. e.g. I don't agree. - Why not?

b) general questions, expressing disapproval, scepticism. e.g. I'm sorry, Mummy. - Are you really sorry?

3. In imperatives, reprovingly critical, resentful. e.g. He'll let me have it by Monday. - Don't be too sure.

4. In exclamations, calm, reserving judgment, expressing casual acknowledgement. e.g. You can have it if you like. - Thanks very much.

EXERCISES

Read the following conversational situations, intone the replies according to the suggested attitudinal meanings and read them properly.

Statements (encouraging further conversation, reprovingly critical, guard­ed, reserving judgement)

What's your opinion of his work? It's not bad.

I'm told you refused his offer. That's quite right.

Will you be calling again? It's quite possible.

Can I have another apple? Well, I don't know.

He's nice, isn't he? So I'm told.

How much did you win? About a thousand pounds.

I've got odd socks on. No one'll notice.

I feel terrible about it. You've nothing to reproach yourself about.

I'm just back from seeing my mother. I trust you found her well.

I've just been playing badmin­ton. I hope you had a good game.

Special questions (calm, but very disapproving)

You were rather harsh with him. Well, what of it?

I'll give you a jolly good hiding. And who'll help you?

Please don't do that. And why shouldn't I?

Harry's just arrived. Who on earth told him to come?

I'd like a new hat. Who's going to pay for it?

I thought she was in France. Where did you get that idea from?

Let's talk to him on the phone. What makes you think that will do any good?

General questions (disapproving, sceptical)

I'd no idea how to get there. Couldn't you have asked?

The bus is at five I'm told. Have you made sure?

He's not good enough, I tell you. Mayn't you be mistaken?

We must get on with it now. Couldn't it be left till this evening?

He says he'll never speak to me again. He doesn't really mean it (does he?)