Podcast: Intonation – a few special tips

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Well, today I’m here to talk about something that REALLY makes a difference when we speak a language, and I don’t mean just English, whatever language, and this thing is called intonation.

Intonation is the tone variation we use while speaking and there are some things that people always (or almost) always say in the same way. For example, in American English, questions that require “yes” or “no” answers- the ones that usually start with DO, DID, DOES, ARE, IS, HAVE, COULD, CAN, WILL, SHOULD – are normally said like this:

Can you come with me now? – Yes, I can/ No, I can’t.

Do you like that movie? – Yes, I do/ No, I don’t.

Did he go to the store? Yes, he did/ No, he didn’t.

Does the school open on Saturday? Yes, it does/ No, it doesn’t.

Is it hot outside? Yes, it is/ No, it it’s not.

Are they your books? Yes, they are/ No, they’re not.

Have you been there? Yes, I have/ No, I haven’t.

Will you travel next summer? Yes, I will/ No, I won’t.

Notice that all of the questions above end with a rising tone. So, you should try to make your voice go up. Listen again:

Can you come with me now?

Do you like that movie?

Did he go to the store?

Does the school open on Saturday?

Is it hot outside?

Are they your books?

Have you been there?

Will you travel next summer?

And on the other hand, questions that need “more complete” answers, usually the ones that start with WHAT, WHERE, WHO, WHY, HOW, WHEN are normally said like this:

How are you? – I’m ok, thanks.

What are they doing? – Oh, I think they’re working on something.

What’s his name? – It’s John, I guess.

Where are the keys? – They’re on the table.

Who’s that girl? – The blond one? That’s my neighbor.

Why are you so upset? – Because of my test tomorrow.

When is the test going to be? – Next week, I guess.

How much is that? – Only two bucks.

How many pets do you have? – Two dogs and one cat.

Notice that all of the questions above end with a falling tone. So, you should try to make your voice go down. Listen again:

How are you?

What are they doing?

What’s his name?

Where are the keys?

Who’s that girl?

Why are you so upset?

When is the test going to be?

How much is that?

How many pets do you have?

So remember: “Yes” or “no” questions, make your voice go up at the end, all the other questions, make your voice go down at the end.

Well guys, this is it for now, I hope you enjoyed today’s tip! See you next week!