Quick Notes...
At end of a sentence, use rising intonation to create question and falling intonation to create statement.
Word stress: a) nouns-front, b) verbs-back, c) "shun" and -ic words stress syllable immediately behind, d) y=EE [phy, gy, py, etc. stress two back, e) compound words stress front, f) -ee/-eer stress it.
Sentence meaning changes depending on the word you choose to stress [usually, but not always, content words (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns) get stressed.
Contrastive stress is a feature of English pronunciation that emphasizes a particular word or phrase in a sentence in order to contrast it with another word or phrase. It is used to highlight the difference between two or more elements in a sentence, and to clarify the intended meaning of a sentence. ["Contrastive stress"를 영어 공부에 적용할 때 이 용어는 문장에서 특정 단어나 구를 강조하여 다른 단어나 구와 대조적으로 나타내는 기능을 합니다. 이것은 문장에서 두 요소 이상의 차이를 강조하고 문장의 의도적인 의미를 명확하게 하는 데 사용됩니다.]
In English, contrastive stress is typically achieved through changes in pitch, loudness, or timing. For example, consider the sentence "I didn't say she stole the money." By placing emphasis on different words, we can change the intended meaning of the sentence:
"I didn't say she stole the money." (Someone else said it.)
"I didn't say she stole the money." (Implied: I said something else.)
"I didn't say she stole the money." (Implied: She did something else with it.)
"I didn't say she stole the money." (Implied: She stole the other valuable -- jewelry)
Contrastive stress is an important aspect of communication in English, as it allows speakers to convey more precise meanings and avoid ambiguity. It is also a feature that learners of English must master in order to be understood effectively in English-speaking contexts.
Listen to a classmate say the following pairs of sentences and tell them the word that is stressed differently:
She's going to the store. / She's going to the store.
I want the blue shirt. / I want the blue shirt.
He's a teacher. / He's a teacher.
They have a dog. / They have a dog.
She's taking the train. / She's taking the train.
We're having pizza for dinner. / We're having pizza for dinner.
The cat is on the roof. / The cat is on the roof.
He's studying English. / He's studying English.
I'm learning Spanish. / I'm learning Spanish.
She's wearing a blue dress. / She's wearing a blue dress.
Statement - Here are different responses to Speaker 1's statement. Can you identify where the sentence stress was that illicited each response? [note : Responses suggested by AI - Do you agree?]
Speaker 1: "I had fun at the beach yesterday!"
Responses:
Sounds like you had a blast at the beach yesterday! What made it so much fun?" [fun]
Oh, so you had fun at the beach yesterday? What did you do?" [yesterday]
Oh, so it was you who had fun at the beach yesterday! Sounds like a great time! [I]
It sounds like you had a great time, especially at the beach! What made the beach experience so enjoyable for you? [beach]
Speaker 1: "The movie last night was good!"
Responses:
"Yeah, it really was! It stood out compared to some of the other things we've watched recently." [movie]
"Yeah, the movie last night was definitely good! I didn't realize you were talking about that specific screening." [last night]
Yeah, the movie last night was good! I really enjoyed the storyline and the acting was impressive too." [was]
"Oh, the movie last night was good? That's awesome to hear! What did you enjoy the most about it?" [good]
Speaker 1: "I liked the concert last weekend!"
Speaker 2: "And the earlier festival this year was unforgettable!"
Responses:
Speaker 3: "Absolutely, the concert last weekend was fantastic! It had such amazing energy and the performers were outstanding. I can't wait for the next one!" [concert]
Speaker 3: "Absolutely, I have to agree with you both. The concert last weekend was fantastic, but that earlier festival? It was simply unforgettable! The atmosphere, the music, everything was just perfect." [earlier festival]
Speaker 3: "Absolutely! The concert last weekend was fantastic. I enjoyed every moment of it. And you're right, the earlier festival this year was truly unforgettable! The atmosphere was incredible." [last weekend]
Speaker 3: "Absolutely! The festival this year was unforgettable. The lineup was incredible, and the atmosphere was just electric. I still can't get over how great it was!" [unforgettable]
Speaker 1: "The mountain view was amazing!"
Speaker 2: "Well, the beach sunset was great!"
Response:
Speaker 3: Speaker 3: "I know, right? It's absolutely breathtaking up there!" [mountain view]
Speaker 3: "I know, right? It was absolutely breathtaking! The colors were just stunning." [great]
Speaker 1: "I had good coffee at a new café!"
Speaker 2: "That one downtown was really nice!"
Response:
"Oh, really? A new café? Where is it?" [cafe]
"Oh, really? Where is this place? It's hard to find a café with genuinely good coffee!" [good]
"Oh, I had good coffee at a new café! The flavor was rich, and the aroma was really inviting. Where exactly did you go for that cup of coffee?" [coffee]
Speaker 1: "The museum was interesting, but the art gallery was more amazing!"
Responses
"Oh, I thought the museum was interesting, but the art gallery was more amazing! The pieces they had on display were truly breathtaking." [museum]
"Oh, the art gallery was more amazing? I completely agree! [art gallery]
"Oh, you found the museum interesting, but the art gallery? That was amazing! I get what you mean, though. Different strokes for different folks, right?" [interesting]
Speaker 1: "Yesterday's hike was hard!, but last summer's was really tough!"
Responses:
"Oh, I get it! Yesterday's hike was hard, but last summer's was really tough! It sounds like you've had some challenging adventures. What made last summer's hike so tough?" [last summer]
"Yeah, yesterday's hike was challenging, but last summer's was really tough! I remember that steep climb and the scorching heat. It pushed us to our limits, didn't it?" [really tough]
Speaker 1: "The pizza last night was tasty and today's pasta was also incredibly yummy!"
"Oh, I totally agree! The pizza last night was tasty, and today's pasta was also incredibly yummy! It sounds like you've been enjoying some great meals lately!" [and]
"Oh, so the pizza last night was tasty, huh? And today's pasta was also incredibly yummy! It sounds like you've been enjoying some great meals lately." [pizza]
"Oh, so the pizza last night was tasty, and today's pasta was also incredibly yummy!" [pasta]
"Today's pasta was also incredibly yummy! I agree, it was delicious. What did you think of the sauce?" [today's pasta]
These exercises can help ESL learners practice using contrastive stress to communicate more clearly and effectively in English.