Questions with or that o"er a choice between two or more
things have intonation patterns like those shown below. The
intonation on the choice (or choices) before or goes up, or
sometimes stays rather $at. The intonation at the end of the
sentence goes down, like a statement.
Would you rather read a book or watch TV?
Should we have cake, pie, or cookies for dessert?
Would you rather read a book or watch TV?
Should we have cake, pie, or cookies for dessert?
Lists
Lists of three or more things joined by and or or have
intonation similar to that of or questions: Up or somewhat
$at on the !rst things in the list, and down on the last one.
You’ll need your textbook, paper, and a pencil.
You should go home, eat lunch, take a nap, and study.
We’ll communicate by phone, text, or email.
You’ll need your textbook, paper, and a pencil.You should go home, eat lunch, take a nap, and study.We’ll communicate by phone, text, or email.First clauses or incomplete sentences
Sometimes a thought group is not a complete sentence, either
because there’s another clause coming after it or because the
speaker just stops in the middle. In this case, the intonation
of the incomplete part is often $at at the end, or it falls just a
bit, but not as much as at the end of a statement.I wanted to buy a new car, but I couldn’t a"ord it.If you think of a good idea, tell me right away.The answer is..... Sorry, I don’t know.If you want to get rich, don’t become a teacher.Sometimes these “!rst clauses” have a very de!nite rising
intonation, almost like a question. This is not a traditional
intonation pattern, and you may not see it described in140