In general, all utterances produced using tone groups containing falling nuclear tones (Low Drop, High Drop,

Long Jump and

Jackknife) sound definite and complete. While utterances produced using tone groups that contain Rising tones (Take-off,
Switchback, High Dive and Terrace) convey continuity, invite to further conversation.

STATEMENTS
pg ATTITUDE TONE GROUP EXAMPLES
47 The speaker wishes each item to be regarded as
separate items of interest LOW DROP He was tall, / dark, / and handsome //

47 When listing items we use rising tunes to indicate

LOW DROP
continuity up to the last item of the list where the He was tall / dark / and handsome //
(on last item)
falling tune indicates that the list is complete
48 Detachment – lack of involvement – coolness - reserve LOW DROP
(I’ve got the sack) - can be lieve it //
Without head
48 Power – strength on the part of the speaker
I en tirely a gree with you //
Categoric, weighty, judicial, considered statements LOW DROP
49 Expressions of both approval and disapproval, of both With head
I haven’t the slightest I dea //
enthusiasm and impatience
48 Involvement – friendly attitude – participative
HIGH DROP
Indication of warmth – lightness – airiness It’s half past twelve // OR - I can hardly be lieve it //
With high fall
Frequently used in everyday conversation
57 Inviting to further conversation
It’s a nice day //
Guarded attitude. Reserving judgement until hearing
more information from the listener (D’you go to the theatre?) - Sometimes //
TAKE-OFF
58 Used to appeal to the listener to change his attitude
which the speaker considers wrong (I shall have to sack him) - You can’t do that //

(cont.) (cont.)
 Resentful contradictions (You haven’t done your homework) - Yes I have //

58 Implied criticism, lack of confidence, he blames himself

or praise the speaker too much, sounds deprecatory - ( You’ve done a fine job)

- I don’t know // You could have done it just as well //

58 Deprecatory attitude (he considers his statement to be

And when I got there / he gave it to me
is uninteresting-irrelevant)

Continuative purpose – i.e: when listing / enumerating One, / two, / three, / four, /
58 items. (When the list is complete, the last item has a
falling tune, see the cell LOW DROP on last item) He was tall, / dark / and handsome //

62 Smoothing – reassuring – with a hint of self-confidence

on the part of the speaker It’s all right // You won’t fall //

I shan’t be a moment //

63 In echoed (and not obviously echoed) statements turns LOW BOUNCE

the statement into a surprised and disbelieving (He’s broken his leg) - Broken his leg ?
question
(I won the first prize) - And you didn’t tell us ?
63 Frequently used with non-final groups, when the
As soon as you see him / tell him I’m here //
speaker is leading up to something more
67 To draw attention to a particular element for contrast
- while showing the intention to continue the utterance. On weekdays / I work, // but on Saturdays / I don’t. //
68 (Contrast words can be uttered or implied – but the
SWITCHBACK
attitude of contrasting them is conveyed by intonation, Sometimes / He irritates me terribly //
by the use of the fall-rise nuclear tone)
(Did you played at the weekend?) - I did on Saturday //
 Concession as in “grudging admission” (the speaker
makes an explicit concession about an aspect but (Is it raining?) - It is at the moment // (it may stop soon)
implies reservation on others)
(what a nice voice) - Yes, / She has a nice voice //
Concession. “Reluctant or defensive dissent” (the
speaker requires a concession from the listener about . (but I don’t think much of her as an actress)
an aspect but implies agreement on the reminder)
(you look cold) – I’m not e xactly cold // (just a bit)

70 Explicit correction. Sounding concerned, reproachful or

hurt (Everyone’s gone) - Not everyone // (I’m still here)

(How many were there? Sixty?) - Seventy //

Direct contradictions (concerned, reproachful, hurt)

(John won’t be here today) – I think he will //
71 Warning (concern or reproach)
You’ll miss your train //
Apologies (concerned and suggesting reservation on the
I beg your pardon // (But I’m afraid I must contradict you)
part of the speaker)
Tentative suggestions (the speaker wants to help but
(What will you do?) – I could try phoning him, I suppose
does not want to commit himself)
73 Participation and involvement. Definite and complete.
(A rising head adds an attitude of protest) (John said you disliked the play) – I liked it im mensely //
LONG JUMP
(You ought to have told me) – I didn’t think it was im portant

75 Complete statements with an effect of questioning in

most cases. Often used in echoed statements to avoid You like him ? (meaning: Do you like him?)
repetition HIGH BOUNCE
(it’s your fault) - My fault ? (meaning: Did you say it was my fault?)
75 Continuity (in non-final word groups) in a more casual
and tentative way than the Take-off or the Low Bounce I like the colour, / the shape, / and the pattern //
in similar circumstances.
78 Impress, owe.
(he’s got two wives) - I know //
Definite, complete
78 Often used to echo immediately prior remarks
(She was wearing purple tights) - Purple //
79 Complacent, self-satisfied and smug
(John’s failed his test) - I’m not sur prised //
JACKKNIFE
79 Challenging or censorious
(I don’t like the man) - You’ve never even spoken to him //
79 Intensifying function (as if using of the word “even”}
(I can’t do it) – You aren’t trying // (= you aren’t “even” trying)
79 Disclaiming responsibility or involvement
(Do you mind if I join you) - Not in the least //
83 Used whenever the first part of a word group contains
84 the most important idea, and the second part an idea of (I’ve got some chocolate) – I like chocolate //
85 subsidiary importance.
(like is the Highlighted word - chocolate is repeated but the utterance
is not definite)

I didn’t know you were going to the theatre //

HIGH DIVE
86 Implies that the speaker’s opinion was correct
(He’s gone bankrupt) - I heard he was in trouble //
86 Expressions of gladness, regret and surprise
(John’s here) I’m glad he was able to come // I’m so glad he came

(The phone broke) – He was rather sur prised you didn’t ring him //
88 Non finality
I went across the road / with murder in my heart
TERRACE
89 Calling out to someone, as if at a distance (with final
(Where are you John) - Just coming //
word groups)

WH QUESTIONS
49 Brisk, businesslike, serious, searching, intense, urgent
Now where did I put my pipe ?
questions – not unfriendly (giving an exclamatory air)
49 Reinforcing approval or disapproval (giving an
LOW DROP How could you be so stupid ?
exclamatory air)
50 Detached and even hostile (If the LAW FALL occurs on
Who told you to tell me ?
the WH word)
54 Friendly and interested HIGH DROP
What’s the time? // OR - (I saw the Queen today) Where? //

59 Asking for information to be given or repeating the TAKE-OFF

listener’s question With int. word (The meeting is at 5) - When? (I thought it was at 4)
as nucleus
(His name was Scruggs) – What was that? // Scroggs ?

59 Disappointing and resentful TAKE-OFF

With nucleus
(Please don’t do that) - And why shouldn’t I ? // (it’s a free country)
in any other
word but int.
64 Puzzlement (with sense of repetition) LOW BOUNCE
with int. word (They did it last week) – They did it when?
as nucleus
63 Friendly enquiries. Stablishing a bound with the
listener. Shows interest in the answer as well as in the
listener. (commonly to address small children)
64 In echoed questions shows disapproval of the questions
being asked
71 Astonishment, surprise ( with interest and concern)
72 Make corrections to questions and statements
73 Protest (asking about unexpected/unpleasant things)
76 Calls for the repetition of information already given – or
echoes part of the question
80 A note of challenge and antagonism (as if using the
word BUT before a question or the word THOUGH after
it)
LOW BOUNCE
(Hello darling) What have you got there ?
(How long will you be?) - How long? (how should I know?)
SWITHBACK
(Are you going to the party?) – Am I going? // (Well, of course I am!)
(How will John get home?) – How will Jane get home you mean
LONG JUMP (I told David about it) – Why did you do that ?// (It wasn’t necessary)
HIGH BOUNCE
(When’s he arriving?) - When? // (or where?)
with nucleus
either on ?
When he’s ar riving? // (is that what you asked)
word or not
(I’ve put it here) – (But) Where?
JACKKNIFFE (I know it for a fact) – How do you know (though)?

80 Disclaiming of responsibility
(Where’s Jane?) – How on earth should I know?
87 Considerable emotion (plaintiveness or despair)
(Oh, no!) – What have you done now?
HIGH DIVE
87 Gushing warmth Very unusual
(what’s up John?) – Could you possibly help me?
88 Shows non-finality TERRACE
Where were john and Ann going / be fore they came to us?
 YES / NO QUESTIONS
50 Asking questions with a serious suggestion or as a
Well, couldn’t we borrow some money?
subject for urgent discussion
50 Keeping someone to the point on order to get a straight
But did you see him on Sunday?
51 answer to a straight question.
Beginning with “Will you…” often function as
Will you be quiet !
imperatives
LOW DROP
With negative questions the effect is exclamatory. (as
Isn’t it wonderful !
well as in “Would you be lieve it ! )
Similarly exclamatory effect by placing the nuclear tone
Isn’t it wonderful !
on the special finite
51 To mark the last of many possibilities
Would you like tea / or coffee?
52 Demanding agreement from the listener. In this case, LOW DROP
the preceding word group ends with a LOW FALL In question What a beautiful day, / isn’t it ?
nuclear tone. tags
52 (In question tags as independent statements) lack of
interest or hostility (I’ve just come back from Paris) - Have you ?

(John damaged your car today) - Did he ?

55 Put forward as suggestions or as subjects for discussion HIGH DROP

(Shall we try again?) - Well would it be any use ?
(in a less urgent manner that with LOW DROP)
55 (HIGH FALL nuclear tone on the special finite when the HIGH DROP
preceding word group ends either with HIGH FALL or a In question It’s ri diculous, / isn’t it ?
rising nuclear tone) Demanding agreement tags
56 (as independent comments) Mild surprise but
(She’s 35) - Is she ? // (I thought she was younger)
acceptance of the listener’s statement
56 With a dissenting word the question demands scrutiny
(I’m glad the car is all right again) - But is it ? / (that’s the point)
of what the listener appears to be assuming
60 Disapproval or skepticism TAKE-OFF
(I’m sorry now that I did it) - Are you really sorry ?
60 (as independent comments) disapproval and skepticism TAKE-OFF
(He’s only 33) - Is he ? // (he looks much older)
In question
60 (in conjunction with a preceding statement) the speaker tags
is inclined to one view rather than the other and It’s about 10 o clock / isn’t it ?
expects the listener’s agreement.
61 A form of invitation (in “Will / won’t / would – you?)
Come and sit down, / won’t you ?
61 Acknowledge something which has previously been
stated, stablished or accepted by both parties. (Direct (What a lovely dress) - You like it, / do you ?
question tags)
64 Genuine interest LOW BOUNCE
(without head, a high pre-head avoids the skepticism of The + common Did you en joy the play last night ?// OR - Is this the one ? //
the TAKE-OFF)
- - - - - - -- - - -- - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- SWITHBACK
- - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - -
75 Offered as subjects of discussion and decision rather LONG JUMP
than for an immediate answer – overtone of protest for (I can’t do it today) - Well, can you do it to morrow, then ?
the question is crucial
77 Could be echoed questions HIGH BOUNCE
(Would you like one?) - Woud I like one ? // (I’d love one)
77 Straightforward questions that sound lighter, more
(I don’t know what to do) - Can I help at all ?
casual than with the TAKE-OFF or the LOW BOUNCE
77 Providing a minimum response so as to keep the
(I’ve just seen John) - Have you?
conversation going (after short comments)
80 The speaker accepts what has been said and it’s JACKKNIFFE
impressed by it (He shot an elephant) - Did he ?
81 This effect is also conveyed with negative question
forms used exclamatorily (This is Ann, the eldest) - Hasn’t she grown ! (or) Isn’t she lovely !
80 challenging
(You can’t do that) - Can’t I / (we’ll see about that!)
81 Challenging and antagonistic (with full questions – as
(Can we afford to buy it) - Can we af ford not to ?
with WH questions)
81 Compelling agreement (when the preceding word JACKKNIFFE
group also has the RISE-FALL as its nuclear tone) In question You can hardly blame her, / can you ?
tags
87 (Same as in WH QUESTIONS) HIGH DIVE
(Same as in WH QUESTIONS)
89 (Same as WH QUESTIONS) TERRACE
Is that the best you can do / to patch it up?

COMMANDS
52 Serious and strong (the speaker takes for granted that LOW DROP
he will be obeyed). Commonly used with “DO” and Come and have dinner with us // OR - Please be quiet //
“PLEASE”
53 Unemotional, clam, controlled, often cold when used in
short commands with no head (just the LOW FALL Gently you clumsy man // OR - Sit John //
nuclear tone)
56 Suggest a course of action HIGH DROP
(This tea is too hot) - Put some milk in it //
61 Appealing to the listener (beginning with “DON’T – see TAKE-OFF
(I’m going to sack him) - Don’t do that // (he’s not a bad chap)
statements) Not often used
62 Calm warning or exhortation (in a few short commands)
- Careful // OR - A gain // (Steady, watch, etc)
65 Encouraging and calmly patronizing (implies that the LOW BOUNCE
speaker is, may be temporarily, in a superior position) Commonly
- Don’t worry // OR - Move a long, please //
used to
children
72 Urgent warning SWITCHBACK
- Try and be there by six // (otherwise it’ll be too late)
74 Recommendation for a course of action with a hint of
surprise and/or criticism
79 Elucidating part/all of the listener’s utterance (without
criticism)
81 Shrugging off responsibility – refusing to be embroiled
87 Pleading or persuading (in affirmative the HIGH FALL
takes place in the verb – in negative in DON’T – and on
DO or PLEASE used as intensifiers.) has the effect of
making a request rather than giving an order
LONG JUMP
(what shall I do?) - Try it a gain // (there’s no other alternative)
HIGH BOUNCE
(Take it home) - Take it home? // (is that what you said?
JACKKNIFFE
(My dr. is useless) - Try a different one //
HIGH DIVE
Quite common (Will you be all right?) - Please don’t worry about me //
- Don’t start all that a gain //

89 Non-final word group - continuity TERRACE

- Come over here / and tell me all a bout it //

INTERJECTIONS
53 Serious and strong LOW DROP
Commonly What a lovely day for a picnic // How ri diculous //
used
53 Calm, unsurprised, self-possessed, reserved LOW DROP
Good // Nonsense // Good morning // etc
With no head
57 Mild surprise (less reserved / possessed than the LOW HIGH DROP
(I must help him) - How very noble of you //
DROP)
62 Imply reserved judgment, requires more explanation TAKE-OFF
from the listener. (only used in a few short Not common (It’s half past ten) - Well // (we’re not in a hurry)
interjections)
62 Calm, casual acknowledgment of a not unexpected
(Your change, Sir) - Thank you //
matter
65 Airy, casual with an encouraging effect LOW BOUNCE
(I’ll see you tomorrow) - Right you are // (Tea?) - No, thank you //
Commonly
66 Bright and friendly greetings (head or pre-head used
- Godd morning // OR - Hul lo, there // OR - Good bye //
unstressed and high in pitch
73 Scorn (in few interjections)
(Will you give in?) - Not likely ! //
SWITCHBACK
73 Correction to interjections
(What a lovely hat!) - What a lovely handkerchief //
74 Protest (the speaker is surprised and feels an LONG JUMP
(You passed you exam) - What wonderful news // (I can’t believe it)
explanation is due to him)
78 SEE COMMANDS HIGH BOUNCE
SEE COMMANDS
82 Greatly impressed by something not entirely expected JACKKNIFFE
(Take my car) - Thank you // OR - Splendid // OR - My goodness //
82 Greeting with a hint of accusation (the listeners owes
- Good morning // (you are late for class)
an explanation)
88 Intense effect (much more than that in the LOW HIGH DIVE
BOUNCE) Similar to Low (I’ll see you tomorrow) - Right you are //
Bounce
(Do make some tea) - All right // (I was just leaving)

89 Non-final word-group – continuity TERRACE

- Good by / and good riddance ! //

Although not very common, it can be used in final (I’ve brought you some tea) - Good girl ! // Thank you ! //
groups