Checklist of tone meanings

FALL (non- Definitive (includes exclamatory)

● Statement a fall is the default tone for a
dominant)
statement, it shows finality, and that
-New info- what we say is complete.

● Exclamations and interjections

interjections are a kind of yes-no
question used to check if what we said
is correct, they are said with a fall when
we actually are not expecting a
response. Exclamations always use a
fall, we call this the exclamatory fall.

● wh question the default tone for wh

quest is a fall.

● Answer elliptical answers (those that

repeat the preceding verb/phrase) are
used with a fall.

● commands the default tone for

commands is a fall, by using a fall we
don’t convey a warning but a straight
command. It is firm and authoritative.

● greetings (more formal) we use a fall

for calling someone’s name while
greeting, falls in greetings are formal.

● farewell (to get rid of an unwelcome

guest) it is less friendly and it is said
with a fall.

Insistent
● yes-no question, when the question is
repeated, or we want to sound
business-like, more serious or
threatening.

● Tag question, when are not really

asking but seeking for agreement, or
when we want to force the other person
to agree.

● Elliptical question the responses made

by another speaker, consists of a
shortened version of the verb phrase
similar to tag questions but there’s a
change of speaker. used to show
surprise or scepticism but accepting the
other speaker´s opinion, it can sound
hostile.
 Reinforcing
● adverbial (The full meaning of the
adverb is expressed by this tone) some
adv at initial position, are said with a
falling tone to reinforce the main clause.
With some adv that introduce a side
issue the fall is also used: at least, by
the way.

FALL-RISE Implicational (includes

● statement
(non-
contrastive, ?????
dominant)
reservation when the statement may be true ● command negative commands have a
-New or
under certain conditions but not true under fall-rise without impaling a warning. Also
given info-
others, the reservation may be explicit or used to sound urgent.
implicit,
● Leading= i.e when the dependent
tentative,is used when the speaker is tentative
(HAS DOUBTS, HESSITATES) about smt element precedes the main element, as
they say it also can show that the speaker is in dependent clause in initial position we
not sure or don’t want to commit themselves to use a fall-rise.
that
● adverbial (adverbs in initial position)
polite correction, when smo makes a mistae
and we want to correct them politely
● independent elliptical question to
partial statement, used to say that smt show really surprise
applies to an extent, only parcially, it can show
subtle implications. ● statement: when we´re being tentative
Negative used in negative statements or (hesitation)
when we present something as not true
● when we mention someones name trying
warning for warnings we use a fall-rise
to get their attention.

● see you is informal that’s why we saiy it

with a fall-rise

● to show irony (implication)

RISE
● Trailing= when the dependent element
(dominant)
follows the dependent element, as in
-Given info- dependent clauses in final position

● Open listing it gives place for smt else

to be added

● Vocatives

Encouraging (includes soothing)

● Statements rise is used when the
second sentence is a qualification and is
dependant of the first.

● wh question (when you want to sound

gentler, sympathetic)
 ● command said with a rise to encourage
the other speaker to continue: as in go
on.

● greetings (more personal)

● farewell said with a rise expresses

acknowledgement of the other person
and good will.

Non-supportive (includes truculent,

● statement to sound defiant – quite rude
perfunctory)

Yes-no (includes pardon question, uptalk)

● yes-no question (default tone)

● tag question (when really asking)

● independent elliptical question (default

tone, indicates surprise –

● statement: accusing me wrongly ???

● declarative question (a question in the

form of a statement that is identified as
a quest for the intonation, there´s no
sub-verb inversion)

● statement uptalk= using a rise in

statements is rather informal and could
be considered silly/disrespectful. ,
common amongst teenagers.

● pardon question when we want the

other speaker to repeat information
because we didn’t heart it properly.

● echo and rhetorical question. Echo

quest= when we repeat what the other
speaker said using a rise

● Interjection inviting the other person to

continue to speak or continue with an
action.

RISE-FALL Implies a high degree of emotional involvement

● Gossiping
(dominant)

● Surprise

● Challenge. To challenge someone to do

smt
 ● Shock (either on the speaker or the
listener)

LEVEL
● Hesitating

● Praying

● Routine actions, monotonous actions

● In plays the narrator uses it

● When smt gives the same to you, when

you don’t have excitement