Intonation and Tones

Tones in sense groups

When we speak, we divide sentences into sense groups (thought groups), that is, groups of logically connected words. Short simple sentences usually contain only one sense group; long sentences usually contain several sense groups.

For example, the sentence "Anton lives in Rome." contains one sense group "Anton lives in Rome". The sentence "When Anton lived in London, he worked at a bank." contains two sense groups: the nonfinal sense group "When Anton lived in London" and the final sense group "he worked at a bank".

The final sense group is the main sense group of the sentence; its intonation and tone determine the type of sentence. The final sense group usually stands at the end of the sentence. The nonfinal sense group usually stands at the beginning or in the middle of the sentence.

If the sentence contains only one sense group, usually only one tone is used in it at the end of the sentence, for example, the falling tone in statements (Anton lives in \Rome.) or the rising tone in general questions (Does Anton live in /Rome?).

Sequence of tones

Four main combinations of tones (rise+fall; fall+fall; rise+rise; fall+rise) are used in sentences containing two sense groups – that is, two tones if there are two sense groups in the sentence, and more tones if there are more sense groups. On the whole, the sequence of tones in sentences containing two sense groups follows certain general principles.

The final tone (terminal tone) in the final sense group at the end of the sentence is determined by the type of sentence. For example, the falling tone is generally used in statements and special questions; the rising tone is generally used in general questions and requests.

The choice of the tone in the nonfinal sense group (at the beginning or in the middle of the sentence) is usually determined by such factors as the importance of this sense group in the sentence, its completeness, and the degree of its connection with the final sense group.

If the nonfinal sense group is closely connected in meaning with the final sense group and cannot be used without the final sense group, the rising tone is generally used in the nonfinal sense group. The sequence of tones "rise+fall" is quite common in sentences containing two sense groups. For example: When Anton lived in /London, he worked at a \bank.

If the nonfinal sense group is more or less independent from the final sense group and can be used by itself, the falling tone is generally used in the nonfinal sense group. For example: You can go \home – we don't have any more \classes.