III. Rules of Syntagmatic Division
Long sentences, simple extended, compound and complex, are subdivided into intonation groups (=sense-groups, =syntagms). Intonation-group division depends on the meaning of the sentence, the grammatical structure of the utterance and the style of speech. Thus, an intonation-group is the shortest possible unit of speech from the point of view of meaning, grammatical structure and intonation.
Final intonation-groups are the most important because their intonation patters (=contours) determine the communicative type of the whole sentence.
Non-final sense-groups may have different degrees of semantic completeness, finality and independence.
e.g. 
Sometimes,| I 'get to 'town by '8. 
30.||
Each intonation-group is characterized by a definite intonation pattern. The number of intonation-groups in the same sentence may be different.
e.g. In 
June,| July |and August |our 'children 'don't 'go to ˛school.||
In 'June, 'July, and August| our 'children 'don't 'go to ˛school.||
The end of each sentence is characterized by a relatively long pause. The pauses between intonation-groups are shorter, they vary in length. There may be no pauses between intonation-groups at all.
So, the pauses necessary for understanding can be made only after certain sense-groups or syntagms.
1. The subject-group, consisting of more than one word, forms a separate syntagm and usually takes Low-Rise.
e.g. Johns sister entered the room.
2. Enumeration and homogeneous members of the sentence form separate syntagms and take Low-Rise until the final element which takes Low-Fall.
e.g. We greet them, shake hands with them and ask them to sit down. The ladies talked about the weather and the latest fashion.
3. Adverbial group at the beginning of the sentence forms a separate syntagm and takes Low-Rise.
e.g. A few minutes later we heard a ring at the door.
Adverbial group at the end of the sentence does not form a separate syntagm and is usually unstressed or partially stressed.
e.g. We are going out tonight.
4. Apposition forms a separate syntagm and takes the intonation of the preceding sense-group.
e.g. Betty Smith, my wifes niece, lives with us.
Parentheses at the beginning of the sentence
a) do not form a separate syntagm if the speaker doesnt attach any importance to these words.
e.g. Well, I do.
b) form a separate syntagm, take Low-Fall, Low-Rise or Fall-Rise if the speaker attaches importance to them.
e.g. Well, I do. To tell the truth, I dont want to go there.
Parentheses in the middle or at the end of the sentence do not form a separate syntagm and are unstressed or partially stressed.
e.g. Im not good at languages, you know. You know, of course, he is my brother.
6. Direct Address at the beginning of the sentence forms a separate syntagm and takes Low-Fall in formal speech and Fall-Rise in friendly conversation.
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e.g. Children, listen to me. Mary, will you join me?
Direct Address in the middle or at the end of the sentence doesnt form a separate syntagm and is unstressed or partially stressed.
e.g. Thats all right, darling. Glad to see you, Ann.
7. Authors Words preceding direct speech form a separate syntagm and take Low-Fall or Low-Rise.
e.g. He said: The play is perfect. She said: The acting was excellent.
Authors Words following direct speech
a) dont form a separate syntagm and are unstressed or partially stressed if they are short.
e.g. Im not ready, he said.
b) form a separate syntagm and repeat the intonation of the preceding sense-group if they get longer.
e.g. Im sorry, again repeated the landlord.
8. Alternative Questions form two syntagms with Low-Rise in the first sense-group and Low-Fall in the second one.
e.g. Has she a niece or a nephew?
9. Disjunctive Questions form two syntagms with
a) Low-Fall in the first sense-group and Low-Rise in the tail when the speaker is not certain of the facts and the answer is expected.
e.g. I ran you up yesterday. You were meeting your wife, werent you? Yes, I was.
b) Low-Fall in the first sense-group and Low-Fall in the tail when the speaker is certain of the facts and the answer is not expected.
e.g. I saw you at the station. You were meeting your wife, werent you? She looked so young and happy.
10. Subordinate clause forms a separate syntagm and takes
a) Low-Rise preceding the principal clause
e.g. If you want to have a rest, go to the country.
b) Low-Fall following the principal clause.
e.g. Go to the country if you want to have a rest.
11. The word please
a) at the beginning of the sentence is stressed but doesnt form a separate syntagm.
e.g. Please repeat the word after the speaker.
b) in the middle of the sentence can be both stressed and unstressed but doesnt form a separate syntagm.
e.g. Will you please switch on the recorder?
c) at the end of the sentence is unstressed, doesnt form a separate syntagm and follows the intonation of the preceding one.
e.g. Will you read a bit louder, please?
12. The words Thank you
a) take Low Fall and form a separate syntagm if they express sincere gratitude.
e.g. Thank you, Mike, it was very kind of you.
b) take Low Rise and form a separate syntagm if they express formal politeness.
e.g. Thank you, Mike, you can take your seat.
