When we are contrasting two words or phrases, we emphasise the parts that we want to contrast by making them prominent: A: You looked exhausted last night. B: Yes, but even though I was TIRED ↑ I couldn't get to SLEEP ↓. - ''not being able to get to sleep' is contrasted with 'being tired' A: Can I have some of this cake now? B: The pudding's for toMORrow ↓, not for toDAY ↓↑. - 'today' is contrasted with 'tomorrow'
Typically, the word or phrase that is 'news' - that is, informationthat the hearer is not expected to know - has a falling tone (e.g. that I couldn't get to sleep; that the cake is for tomorrow). This contrasts with information that the hearer and speaker already share, which has a rising or fall-rising tone (e.g. that I was tired; that A thinks the cake is for today). (See also Unit 39.)
Note: The contrasting phrase sometimes comes first and sometimes second.
Here are some common patterns of comparison and contrast -
using a comparative form of an adjective: I think it's more important to have COMfortable clothes ↓ than STYlish ones↑ . Notice that starting the falling or (fall-)rising tone on different words can affect meaning: Watching FOOTball ↓ is much better than watching CRICKet ↓↑. WATCHing football ↓ is much better than PLAYing football ↓↑.
using either ... or: You can either catch the EARlier train ↓↑ or the LATer one . B. I've either left my wallet at HOME ↓↑ or I've LOST it ↓.
using ..., not ... or ... not ..., ... : He's got bronCHItis ↓, not just a COUGH ↓↑. I'm not really ANgry with him ↓↑, just a bit anNOYED ↓.
using other contrasting phrases (e.g. catch the bus versus walk home; reducing the cost of public transport versus increasing it): Rather than catch the BUS ↓↑, maybe we could WALK home ↓. We should be reDUcing the cost of public transport ↓ instead of inCREASing it ↑.
Now listen and check your answers. Then listen again. Press 'pause'before each B part and read it aloud. Make sure you start the fallingor fall-rising tone in the right place. Then press 'play' again andcompare your pronunciation with what follows.
short story - novel on the phone - face-to-face we can't afford it - we'd like to go first one—second new glasses - smaller fingers Australia - Scotland boat - helicopter
Example: A: I really enjoyed her second film. B: I actually liked her first one ↓more than her second ↑. 1 A: We need to discuss this more. I'll give you a call. B: But it's easier to talk ___________ ↓ than ___________ ↑. 2 A: I'll never be able to sew this. I need smaller fingers. B: You either need ___________ ↑ or ___________ ↓ . 3 A: Are you going to Malaysia again this holiday? B: Much as ___________ ↑ , ___________ ↓ . 4 A: I hope Carla has a great time in Australia. B: She's going to Perth in ___________ ↓ , not Perth in ___________ ↑. 5 A: How are you getting on with your novel? B: It's not a ___________ ↑ exactly, more a ___________ ↓ . 6 A: How was the boat journey to Capri? B: Instead of going by ___________ ↑, we went by ___________ ↓.
Now listen and check your answers. Then listen again. Press 'pause'before each B part and read it aloud. Make sure you use falling andrising tones as indicated. Then press 'play' again and compare yourpronunciation with what follows.
Follow up:In some of B's replies in exercises 1 and 2 you could reverse the orderof information, perhaps with some rewording of the sentence. Say thereplies in this way, making sure that you keep the same tone on eachpiece of information.