is the way your voice rises and falls in pitch across a phrase. In English a fall usually shows that you have finished or are sure, a rise usually shows a question or that you have more to say, and a wider pitch range sounds interested. It helps listeners understand your attitude as well as your words.
What is intonation?
Your voice is never flat. When you speak, the pitch goes up and down, and it follows a pattern. This pattern is . It is the melody of speech.
In English, intonation does several jobs. It shows whether you have finished or have more to say. It shows if you are asking a question. It shows which word is the most important in the phrase. And it shows your attitude: interested, bored, surprised or polite.
The most important word moves the pitch
In each phrase, one is the focus. This syllable is where the pitch moves most: it falls, rises or does both. The syllable is usually in the most important word of the phrase, and it is the last strong syllable.
Compare these two answers. 'Where did you go?' 'I went to LONdon.' The new information is London, so the pitch moves on LON. But 'Who went to London?' 'MAry went to London.' Now the new information is Mary, so the pitch moves on MA. The words are the same, but the focus is different.
- Where did you go? I went to LONdon. · Who went to London? MAry went to London.
- Is it a red car? No, it's a BLUE car. · Is it a blue bus? No, it's a blue CAR.
Falling intonation
The pitch falls on the last important word. This shows that you have finished and that you are sure. It is the usual pattern for statements, commands and wh-questions (what, where, when, why, how).
Examples: 'I live in Leeds.' (fall). 'Where do you work?' (fall). 'Close the door.' (fall). A fall at the end of a Part 1 or Part 2 answer shows that you have finished a point.
Rising intonation
The pitch rises at the end. This is the usual pattern for yes/no questions: 'Do you like tea?' (rise). It is also used for checking, for lists that continue, and for polite requests. A rise can show that you have not finished: 'First, I got up early...' (rise) tells the listener there is more.
In a list, each item rises and the last item falls: 'I like apples (rise), oranges (rise) and bananas (fall).' The fall tells the listener that the list is complete.
Fall-rise intonation
The pitch falls and then rises on the same word, or on the last words. This shows that you are not completely sure, that there is a 'but', or that you want to be polite. For example: 'I like it, but...' or 'It's all right.' The fall-rise often means 'yes, but'.
Fall-rise is very common in British English. Listen for it in conversations, and use it in Part 3 when you give a balanced answer: 'Some people prefer cities, but...'.
Tag questions
A tag question is a short question at the end of a statement: It is a nice day, isn't it? The tag can rise or fall, and the meaning is different. With a rise you really want to know the answer. With a fall you expect the listener to agree, and you are only checking.
Try both patterns aloud. Listen to how a falling tag sounds friendly and sure, and a rising tag sounds more like a real question.
Intonation and interest
A flat voice sounds bored, even if your words are positive. A wide pitch range, with higher and lower notes, sounds interested and engaged. In the Speaking test, this helps your answers sound natural.
You do not have to shout or be dramatic. Use a little more pitch movement on the words that matter, and let your voice fall at the end of each idea.
- Choose the most important word in each phrase and make the pitch move there.
- Fall at the end of a statement. Rise at the end of a yes/no question.
- In a list, rise on each item and fall on the last one.
- Use a wider pitch range when you are describing something you like.
Accents differ
Patterns differ between accents and between speakers. The patterns above describe the most common British English use, but you will hear exceptions, such as a rise at the end of a statement. Do not worry if a speaker does something different. Learn the main patterns first.
How to make the sound
- Hum a short note, then slide your voice up, then down, to feel the pitch change.
- Say a statement and let your voice fall on the last important word: 'I live in LEEDS.'
- Say a yes/no question and let your voice rise at the end: 'Do you like TEA?'
- Say a short list with a rise on each item and a fall on the last one.
IELTS tip
In the Speaking test, a lively voice makes your answers easier to follow and more interesting to listen to. Use a fall to finish each idea, a rise or fall-rise when you are about to add something, and a wider pitch range on the words that matter. Do this in Part 2, where you speak for up to two minutes.
Frequently asked questions
What is intonation?
The rise and fall of the voice in pitch across a phrase. It is the melody of speech.
What is the difference between intonation and stress?
is about which are strong. is about how the pitch moves across a phrase, and the movement usually happens on a .
Do all English speakers use the same intonation?
No. Patterns differ between accents and speakers, but the basic uses of falling and rising pitch are shared.
How can I practise intonation?
Shadow a short clip, copying the melody. Record yourself and compare.
Sources
- Roach, P. (2009). English Phonetics and Phonology: A Practical Course (4th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
- Cruttenden, A. (1997). Intonation (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.