Speak the given declarative sentence with rising intonation towards the end of sentence and stress the highlighted words. 'I saw Mrs. Cotter this afternoon.' The rising intonation makes it sound like a question.
When speaking 'I saw Mrs. Cotter this afternoon' with rising intonation (pitch going up at the end), it sounds like a question: 'Did I see Mrs. Cotter this afternoon?' or expresses uncertainty.
The rising intonation transforms a statement into something that seeks confirmation.
This demonstrates how intonation patterns can change the meaning and function of the same words.
Explanation
This exercise shows how rising intonation can turn a declarative sentence into a question-like utterance. The same words with different intonation convey different meanings - falling intonation for statements, rising intonation for questions or uncertainty.
Solution Steps
Rising intonation means the pitch goes up at the end of the sentence
Rising intonation makes a declarative sentence sound like a question or express uncertainty
Intonation patterns can change the meaning and function of the same words
The same words with different intonation convey different meanings