THE LOW DROP

Commands & Interjections

THE LOW DROP: COMMANDS

With no head With a head (high head)

The speaker sounds unemotional, calm, The speaker sounds powerful, very serious, very strong.
controlled, often cold. Commands said with the Low Drop have the effect of
orders. The speaker takes for granted that he will be
obeyed.
Take it. Take it slowly.
Don’t.
Don’t be ridiculous.

With commands that take the words “Do” and “please”,

the Low Drop conveys a greater powerful effect.

Please be quiet Do stop talking

THE LOW DROP VS. THE HIGH DROP: COMMANDS
The low drop The high drop
The speaker sounds unemotional, calm, controlled, often The speaker sounds as if he is making a suggestion or
cold. He takes for granted that he will be obeyed. recommending a course of action, rather than giving an order.
He really doesn’t mind whether he will be obeyed.

(angry mother to child) (friend offering somethig)

(friend making a suggestion)

The speaker sounds powerful, very serious, very strong.

(friend recommending a course of action)
(very serious mother to child)
THE LOW DROP: INTERJECTIONS

With no head With a head (high head)

The speaker sounds unsurprised, calm, The speaker sounds powerful, very strong.
unemotional.
How ridiculous!
Thanks.
Oh, Gosh!
Right.

Good morning.
 THE LOW DROP VS. THE HIGH DROP: INTERJECTIONS
The low drop The high drop
The speaker sounds unsurprised, calm, unemotional. The speaker sounds sounds mildly surprised.

(teacher to student who picked up his/ her pen from (to a friend who brought a present that you didn’t expect)
the floor)
Thanks. Thanks!
(gratitude + surprise)
(there is gratitude, but no surprise)

(in the elevator, neighbour gets in) (you bump into a friend in the street)
Good morning. Good morning!
(a genuine greeting, but unsurprised)

How ridiculous!
You remember an embarrassing moment with a friend. You are
(criticizing someone in a harsh way) laughing.