intonation crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! If you're tackling the "intonation crossword clue," you've come to the right place. We provide accurate answers across various letter lengths, along with helpful explanations to quickly solve your puzzle.
Solutions for "intonation crossword clue" by Letter Count
4 Letters
TONE: The particular quality of a sound, or the pitch and modulation of a person's voice, crucial for intonation.
5 Letters
PITCH: The quality of a sound governed by the rate of vibrations producing it, directly influencing intonation.
6 Letters
ACCENT: A distinctive mode of pronunciation of a language, often involving specific intonation patterns.
7 Letters
CADENCE: A modulation or inflection of the voice, especially at the end of a sentence, related to the rise and fall of intonation.
10 Letters
INFLECTION: The modulation of intonation or pitch in the voice, or the changing of word forms to express grammatical functions. A key aspect of intonation.
More About "intonation crossword clue"
Intonation refers to the melodic pattern of an utterance, the way your voice rises and falls as you speak. It's a critical component of spoken language, conveying meaning, emotion, and grammatical structure beyond the words themselves. In English, for example, a rising intonation often indicates a question, while a falling intonation signifies a statement.
When "intonation" appears as a crossword clue, puzzle setters are often looking for words that describe various aspects of vocal delivery or the quality of sound. This can include the height or depth of a sound (pitch), the distinctive sound of a person's voice (tone), or the emphasis placed on certain syllables or words (accent, stress).
Understanding these related terms and how they connect to the concept of intonation is key to cracking such clues. Crossword constructors love to play on these subtle linguistic nuances, making "intonation" a common and versatile clue that can lead to a variety of answers depending on the required letter count and context.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze the Nuance: For clues like "intonation," consider all facets of the word. Is it about pitch, volume, emotional expression, or regional dialect? Each can lead to a different answer.
- Check Letter Count: The number of letters is your most valuable hint. If your initial thought for "intonation" is "PITCH" (5 letters), but the slot is for 6, think about synonyms like "ACCENT" or "STRESS."
- Look at Intersecting Words: Always use letters from already solved intersecting clues. This is especially helpful for trickier, more abstract clues like those related to vocal characteristics.
- Consider Phrasal Answers: Sometimes, a clue might lead to a two-word answer or a common phrase that describes the concept. Though less common for "intonation," it's a good general strategy.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is "intonation" in the context of crosswords?
Intonation refers to the rise and fall of the voice when speaking. In crosswords, clues related to intonation often point to words describing vocal characteristics, sound quality, or speech patterns like pitch, tone, accent, or cadence. Understanding these nuances helps in identifying the correct answer.
How can I find answers related to vocal characteristics like intonation?
When faced with a clue about intonation, think about synonyms for vocal expression or terms related to how we speak. Consider words like 'pitch,' 'tone,' 'accent,' 'stress,' 'rhythm,' or 'cadence.' Also, look at the number of letters required and any intersecting letters you might already have.
Are there common pitfalls when solving intonation-related clues?
One common pitfall is focusing too narrowly on the musical aspect of 'intonation' (e.g., being in tune) rather than its broader linguistic meaning of voice modulation. Another is confusing intonation with articulation or pronunciation. Always consider all possible synonyms and the exact context of the clue.