Imperatives (sounding lively; suggesting a course of action to the listener)

I hate quarrelling with Clara. Then make it up with her.

I shan't be able to phone you. Drop me a line, then.

Sorry I forgot to change my shoes. Just look at the mud you've brought in here.

I can't think what to say. Don't say anything at all. Leave it entirely to me.

What shall I do with this? Put it in the waste paper basket.

Exclamations (conveying mild surprise)

He won't give us permission. So that's that.

I gave him a piece of my mind. Well done! Good for you!

Tom has passed his exam. Well fancy that!

I've just become a father. Congratulations, my dear chap!

I forgot every word about it. What a fine mess you've made of things!

We'll go there on Friday. The sooner the better!

I'm sorry to have to vote against you. A fine friend you turned out to be!

COMPOUND TUNES Fall + Rise

But why didn't you tell me? - So sorry.

That's Ben. - I thought his face was familiar.

Where shall we go this year? - Somewhere in Devon would make a good change.

Can I borrow your ruler? - I seem to have ­mislaid mine.

All the tunes containing more than one nuclear tone are called com­pound. The Fall+Rise is a combination of the High Fall and the Low Rise.

The fall and the rise always occur on separate syllables. The fall starts from a very high level and ends very low. Any syllables occurring between the High Fall and the Low Rise are said on a very low pitch. Notional words are stressed. The falling part marks the idea which the speaker wants to emphasise and the rising part marks an addition to this main idea.

The combination of the High Fall with the Low Rise is used in sentenc­es expressing highly emotional reaction to the situation. It is often heard:

1. In statements, sounding apologetic, appreciative, grateful, regretful, sympathetic, persuasively reassuring, pleading, plaintive. e.g. Whose turn is it then? - It's mine actually. How did this get broken? - I'm most terribly sorry.

2. In questions: a) In special questions, sounding plaintive, pleading, weary, despairing; sometimes warm, sympathetic. e.g. Sorry I'm late. - Oh why can't you come on time for once?

b) In general questions, conveying a plaintive, pleading, some­times impatient tone. e.g. He played very badly today. - Will he ever be any better d'you think?

3. In imperatives, sounding plaintive, pleading, reproachful. e.g. It's all so depressing. - Cheer up. It can't last for ever. I've nothing to do with it. - Now do be reasonable, Charles.

4. In exclamations, warm, sympathetic, encouraging, some­times plaintive, puzzled, surprised. Greetings and leave-takings sound pleasant and friendly being pro­nounced this way. e.g. Good night, Peggy. - Good night, Mrs. Smith. See you on Friday. - Right you are!

EXERCISES

Read the following conversational situations, intone the replies according to the suggested attitudinal meanings and read them properly.

Statements (sounding apologetic, appreciative,­ grateful, regretful, sym­pathetic, persuasively reassuring, pleading, plaintive.)

Don't you like it? - I don't, frankly.

Any news of Tim? - He's coming home soon.

Haven't you finished it yet? - I've only just begun it, as a matter of fact.

It looks like rain, I'm afraid. - Perhaps it would be better to stay at home in that case.

I've had it six years now. - You'll be buying a new one soon, I imagine.

Why ever bring a mac? - It was raining when I left this morning.

I thought of going for a stroll. - I'll come too, if I may.

It was quite an accident. - But I told you not to touch it.

So it was you who borrowed my spade. - I do hope you didn't mind.

He's accepted your offer. - I didn't dream he'd take me seriously.

It's a wonderful photo. - I knew you'd like it.

Help? Certainly. - I was sure I could count on you.

But why didn't you tell me? - So sorry.

I thought you ought to know. - Thank you for telling me. I do not appreciate it.

It's all so discouraging. - I know exactly how you feel.

Sorry I haven't returned it yet. - That's quite all right. I'm in no particular hurry for it.

I've already been waiting a year. - Then surely a few more days won't make much difference.

It's an absolute scandal. - There's no need to get so worked up about it.

II do wish he'd mind his own business. - But he was only trying to be helpful.

What's happened to Jack? - It's always the same. He's hardly ever on time.

I'm afraid he failed his exam. - I'm not at all surprised. He did absolutely no work for it.

Special questions (sounding plaintive, pleading, weary, dispatching, warm, sympathetic)

It was my treat. - How much was it?

How big did you say it was it? - Oh, why don't you listen, Charley?

Three thousand he paid for it. - When will the poor fool learn wit?

Did you call, Frank? - Yes, what's the time, please?

I have to go out now. - When will you be back, d'you think?

General questions (sounding plaintive, pleading, sometimes impatient)

Perhaps I could help. - Do you think you could?

Come and have a game, Phil. -Will you stop bothering me? Can't you see I'm busy?

May I have another bun? - D'you really think you can eat it?