Final answer:
Intonation, an aspect of English language, refers to changes in pitch while speaking. This includes rising (questions or undecided statements), falling (declarative sentences or end of utterance), and fall-rise intonations (more to say or uncertainty). It adds expressiveness and assists in conveying the intended meaning.
Step-by-step explanation:
Intonation refers to the variation of pitch while speaking, which can alter the meaning of a sentence. This aspect of English language and communication is primarily based on three common intonation patterns: rising intonation, falling intonation, and fall-rise intonation.
Rising intonation often indicates that the speaker is asking a question or is undecided about something. For example, the sentence 'You're going to the store?' could be a confirmation or a question, based on the intonation used. Falling intonation is usually used at the end of declarative sentences, or to indicate the end of an utterance. For instance, 'We are going to the zoo.' is usually spoken with a falling pitch. The Fall-Rise intonation suggests that the speaker has more to say or there is some sort of uncertainty, such as 'I don't know if I can go'. Remember, intonation adds expressiveness to our speech and helps convey our message effectively.
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