How Intonation Changes The Meaning Of A Sentence

The meaning of a sentence can change depending on which word the speaker puts stress on. To stress, or to emphasis, a word means to make a word stand out by putting extra focus on it.

To show you how it works let’s use this sentence:

I never said she stole my money

Without any stress on a particular word, this sentence just means that someone is saying that they have not accused a particular person (she) of taking there money.

However, this sentence has 7 different meanings depending on which of the 7 words is stressed. Watch this video to see how each pronunciation sounds.

1) I never said she stole my money (but someone else said so)

2) I never said she stole my money (I am not saying or implying that she stole my money)

3) I never said she stole my money (I suggested/implied it)

4) I never said she stole my money (She didn’t steal my money, someone else did)

5) I never said she stole my money (She did not steal it, she took/robbed it)

6) I never said she stole my money (She stole someone else’s money)

7) I never said she stole my money (She didn’t steal money, she stole something else)