Intonation describes how the

voice rises and falls in

speech. The three main
patterns of intonation in
English are: falling
intonation, rising intonation
and fall-rise intonation.
Falling intonation
•Falling intonation
describes how the voice
falls on the final stressed
syllable of a phrase or a
group of words. A falling
intonation is very common
in wh-questions.
Falling intonation
•Where’s the nearest
 post-office?
•What time does the
film  finish?
•A falling intonation is
used at the end of (1) a
statement, a command,
or a request and (2) a
question which cannot be
answered by yes or no.
•a. A statement, command,
or request
•The girls will serve as
usherettes.
•Please lend me your book.
•My teacher is very
patient.
•b. A question which cannot
be answered by yes or no.
•How can you make a
chocolate cake?
•Who are going to the
party?
•When will the boys play
the band?
Rising intonation
•Rising intonation
describes how the voice
rises at the end of a
sentence. Rising
intonation is common in
yes-no questions:
 Rising intonation
•I hear the Health Centre
is expanding. So, is that
the new
doctor?

•Are you
thirsty?
•A rising intonation is
used (1) at the end of a
yes/no question, and (2)
in enumerating persons,
places, objects and
others.
•1. Rising Intonation:
•a. At the end of a yes/no
question
•Is your best friend coming?
•Are you ready for the school
play?
•Did you do your homework?
•In enumerating persons, places,
objects, etc.
•The family went to Puerto
Galera, Boracay, Bohol and
Pagudpud.
•We ate durian, marang, mangoes
and mangosteen.
•The teacher met the pupils, the
parents, the guardians, and the
school administrator.
•Danny: Have you heart the
news? Mark won the Spelling Quiz
Bee Contest!
•Pamela: No, I haven’t. What
did he receive as a prize?
•Danny: Mark got $500 in
cash!
•Pamela: Really? That’s
wonderful!
•Danny: Not only that. He
will tour to Boracay for a week
with his family.
•Pamela: That’s great! I will
tell Mark to bring me white sand
for my aquarium.
•Danny: As for me, seashells
will do.
•Pamela: Look Danny, Mark is
coming!