Sense groups.

We neither think nor speak in single words; we express our thoughts in closely-knit groups of words which contribute to the situation in which we are placed at a given moment. Such groups of words are called sense groups. They are usually separated from each other by pauses, though on occasion these pauses may be suppressed; however, it will be simpler if we assume that the pauses are always present – as in most cases they are – and we shall mark them by means of a vertical bar.

E.g. -Good morning.| How are you|

- I’m very well,| thank you.| And you?|

- Fine.| The last time I saw you | you were just going to take your exam.|

- Yes.| I failed, unfortunately.|

- Oh,| bad luck.|

Sense groups may consist of a single word or a number of words. Their length may vary according to the situation and the kind of speech being used; for example, in reading aloud a piece of descriptive prose the sense groups will tend to be longer than those found in impromptu conversation. Also a slow rate of delivery will favour more and shorter sense groups as compared with a fast rate. Compare the following:

In April, June, September and November, | there are only thirty days.|

On the whole, however, there is very little choice of grouping in conversational speech, and students will have no difficulty in identifying sense groups and the possible variations relating to them. This is important because we shall be describing the tunes of English in relation, not to single words or sentences or paragraphs, but to sense groups.

<== попередня сторінка	\|	наступна сторінка ==>
The role of intonation.	\|	Prominence and accent.

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