Question

Which sentence demonstrates contrastive stress?

• A. I want an apple, not a pear
• B. She likes apples and bananas
• C. This is an apple
• D. We need more apples.

Answer 1

Answer:

A. I want an apple, not a pear

Understanding Contrastive Stress

• Definition and Purpose

  • Contrastive stress is a form of sentence stress used to highlight or emphasize a particular word or phrase in a sentence, typically to draw a contrast, correction, or exception to a previously stated or implied idea.
  • Its primary function is to clarify meaning and resolve ambiguity, by directing the listener's attention to the specific element being contrasted.
  • It allows speakers to override the natural, predictable stress patterns of a sentence to convey a specific communicative intent.

• Key Characteristics

  • It involves placing unusual or heavier-than-normal stress (increased loudness, higher pitch, and often longer duration) on a word that would not typically receive the primary sentence stress.
  • This emphatic stress often occurs when introducing new information that contradicts or specifies a previous statement.
  • The stressed word is crucial for understanding the speaker's intended meaning and the distinction they are making.

• Examples of Contrastive Stress

  • Consider the sentence, "I want an apple, not a pear." Here, the word "apple" receives contrastive stress to highlight that it is an apple, specifically, that is desired, in contrast to a pear. If not for the contrastive stress, the natural primary stress might fall on "want" or "apple" more generally, but the contrastive stress makes the *distinction* clear.
  • "She didn't steal the money; she found it." (Emphasizing 'steal' and 'found' to contrast actions).
  • "He wants to go to Paris, not Rome." (Highlighting the specific destination).
  • "I said you could go, not implied it." (Contrasting the manner of communication).

• Contrast with Other Stress Types

  • Lexical Stress: This is the inherent stress pattern within a multi-syllabic word (e.g., pro-gress (verb) vs. pro-gress (noun)). Contrastive stress operates at the sentence level, *overriding* lexical stress if necessary.
  • Sentence Stress (Primary Stress): This refers to the natural emphasis placed on content words (nouns, main verbs, adjectives, adverbs) in a typical sentence, conveying the main information. Contrastive stress deviates from this natural pattern to highlight a specific contrast. For example, in "I want an apple," without contrastive stress, "apple" would likely receive the primary sentence stress. But when contrasted, the *degree* of stress becomes much more pronounced.

• Relevance for Competitive Exams

  • Questions on phonetics and intonation often test the understanding of how stress affects meaning. Contrastive stress is a prime example of this.
  • It helps in distinguishing between correct and incorrect interpretations of sentences based on spoken emphasis.
  • Understanding contrastive stress is vital for comprehending nuances in spoken English and for effective communication, which can be tested in listening comprehension or grammar sections.
  • It highlights the dynamic nature of English prosody, where meaning is conveyed not just by words but also by how they are spoken.