Unit 48. You Couldn't Carry It Upstairs for Me?

Requests and Reservation
Unit 48; Part A
When we want to get someone to do something for us, we often express this in a polite way by using a fall-rising tone: I need to get to the airport by six. Don't suppose you can give me a LIFT ↓↑? You couldn't carry it upSTAIRS for me ↓↑? I suppose I could come over on Saturday, but Sunday would be EAsier↓↑ ( = asking someone to change their plans) Notice, however, that if we offer to do something for someone, it oftensounds more sincere -that is, as a more genuine offer of help - if weuse a falling rather that a rising or fall-rising tone (see also Unit 43C): Do you want a HAND↓? can sound more genuine than: Do you want a HAND ↑? or: Do you want a HAND ↓↑? |
Unit 48; Part B
We commonly use a fall-rising tone when we want to indicate our reservation about something.For example, we may not completely agree with something, or we knowthat what we are saying is only partly correct, or we may not be surethat what we are saying will be accepted: A: Do you like her paintings? B: YES ↓. ( = I do) but: B: YES ↓↑. ( = I'm not sure, or I like some of them) A: Is it an interesting town? B: The OLD parts are ↓↑. (= other parts aren't) A: You lost again, I hear. B: I did my BEST ↓↑. (= you obviously expected more) We also use a fall-rising tone when we talk about a cancelled arrangement: A: Are you going to the conference next week? B: Well, I was PLANning to go ↓↑, but I've got too much WORK ↓. |
Unit 48; Part C
In negative sentences, there is sometimes a difference in meaning when we use a falling tone and a fall-rising tone (see also Unit 43B). Compare: A: It's a pity Ann was ill and missed the party. B: She didn't miss the party hecause she was ILL ↓↑. (= it was for another reason) but: A: I wonder why Ann missed the party. B: She missed it because she was ILL ↓ (= this was the reason) A: I'll get some cheese while I'm out. B: I don't want ANy cheese ↓↑. (= I want a particular kind) but: A: How much cheese shall l get? B: I don't want ANy cheese ↓. ( = none at all) |
Exercises
![]() | Unit 47 Unit 48 Unit 49 | ![]() |