Questions and Intonation Up or Down American English Pronunciation
Did you go to the party? What did you bring
to the party? Party - party. In this American
English pronunciation video, we’re going to
look at which questions go up in pitch at
the end, and which ones go down.
The questions that go up in pitch at the end
are yes/no questions. So, questions that start
with words like did, does, is, and can. Questions
that go down in pitch at the end are all other
questions. So let’s look at some yes/no questions.
Did you pick up the groceries? Groceries?
Did you pick up the groceries? Going up in
pitch at the end. Does the store open at one?
One? One? Again, the pitch goes up at the
end. Does the store open at one? Can you lend
me a dollar? Dollar? Dollar? Can you lend
me a dollar?
And now questions that can’t be answered with
a yes or no that go down in pitch at the end.
How are you? How are you? Why did you leave?
Leave? Leave? Why did you leave? Where’re
the keys? Keys? Keys? Where’re the keys? Who
are you calling? Calling? Calling? Who are
you calling? Which one did you buy? Buy? Buy?
Which one did you buy?
Let’s look at pairs of questions. Can I borrow
your book? Book? A yes/no question, going
up. Where’s your book? Book? Book? Not a yes/no
question, going down in pitch. Book? Book?
Can I borrow your book? Where’s your book?
Did you go to the show? Show – rising intonation
for that yes/no question. How was the show?
How was the show? Falling intonation on a
question that does not have a yes or no answer.
Did you go to the show? How was the show?
Did you see Amanda? Manda? Rising intonation.
When did you see Amanda? Manda, manda – falling
intonation. Did you see Amanda? When did you
see Amanda?
Don’t forget this simple rule. Yes/no question,
intonation goes up. Any other question, intonation
goes down.
That’s it, and thanks so much for using Rachel’s
English.