Imperatives (reprovingly critical, resentful)

I've asked Mary but she hasn't any. Ask Mabel then.

I don't think I can dive from that height. Have a shot at it.

I won't have anything to do with him. Don't be so silly.

She's so terribly rude. Don't take any notice of her.

I'm sorry. Well, say it as if you meant it.

I'm terribly sorry. Don't apologise.

Exclamations (calm, reserving judgement, ex­pressing casual acknowledgement)

I can't make six o'clock. All right.

I can't help you. Very well.

You can have it if you like. Thanks very much.

INTONATION PATERN VIII (LOW PRE-HEAD+) HIGH FALL (+TAIL)

Why didn't you buy the picture? - 'Much too expensive.

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

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. The High Fall provides a greater degree of prominence for the word, making it more emphatic. The degree of prominence depends on the height of the fall.

This intonation pattern is used:

1. In statements, conveying personal concern or involvement, sounding lively, interested, airy; very common in conversation. e.g. Do you know the man? - No. (I don't.) Yes. (I 'do.) Where's my copy? - Peter took it for you.

2. In questions: a) In special questions, sounding lively, interested. e.g. I shall be late, I'm afraid. - How late?

b) In general questions, conveying mildly surprised acceptance of the listener's premises. e.g. I like it here. --- Do you? (I thought you'd hate it.)

3. In imperatives, sounding warm. e.g. What's the matter? - Look. (It's raining.)

4. In exclamations, very emotional. e.g. It's eight o'clock. - Heavens! (I'm late.)

EXERCISES

Read the following conversational situations, intone the replies according to the suggested attitudinal meanings and read them properly. Statements (conveying personal concern or involvement, sounding inte­rested, lively, airy)

Now what have you done to Mary? - Nothing.

Who's been eating my grapes? - No one. No one has. No one's been eating your wretched grapes. Which will you take, Henry? - This one. That one.

How many of his books have you read? - All of them. None of them.

When did you see him? - On Thursday. (I thought you knew.)

Would you like to join us? - I'd love to.

Come on. Let's get going. - We can't. It's raining.

It was all your fault. - But it wasn't. And I can prove it.

Special questions (lively, interested)

I shall have to give it to him. - Why?

I'm going to Switzerland. - When?

You'll never guess who's here. - Who?

You can win easily. - How?

He's 'coming to stay with us. - When, may I ask?

I mustn't take them. - Why mustn't you take them?

Sorry to be so late. - What's happened?

I ought to write to him. - Why bother?

Hallo, Dennis. - How are you?

I said no such thing. - What did you say, then?

Today's out of the question, too. - When can you come, may I ask?

General questions (conveying mildly surprised ac­ceptance of the listener's pre­mises)

I like it here. - Do you?

She is thirty five. - Is she?

They won't help us. - Won't they?

I can't bear cats. - Can't you?

I must be home by six. - Must you?

I ought to go to the lecture. - But will you go, do you think?