Questions and Intonation: Up or Down?

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.

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