 #2 (permalink) Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:29 am She read the letter which upset me. vs She read the letter, which upset me. |
|
|
| Tom c wrote: |
Explain the difference between the following pairs of
sentences. Are there any pronunciation differences?
She read the letter which upset me.
She read the letter, which upset me.
There is a somewhat longer pause at the comma; in the same sentence, there is somewhat more emphasis on "up-SET".
He keeps his canary in the bathroom.
He keeps his canary in the bathroom?
The first sentence is neutral; in the second, there is more emphasis on "BATH-room?" and the pitch goes up - although that depends on where the focus lies, i.e. on what you are surprised at: the pitch always goes up at the end of a question, but the additional emphasis happens at the word on which your surprise is focused.
They went to Austria and Italy.
They went to Austria and Italy ...
There would be a difference if the second sentence were followed by something, after the three dots (ellipsis): then you would stretch "Italy" a bit, and pronounce what follows somewhat faster. |
|
|
 Cerberus™
I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 11 Feb 2009
Posts: 771
|
