Module 1 – Grammar

Feature (e.g. of connected speech) 
A feature of something is an interesting or important part or characteristic of it. 
 
Intonation 
The way the level of a speaker’s voice changes, often to show how they feel about something, e.g. if they are angry or 
pleased. Intonation can be rising or falling or both. 
Linking 
The way different sounds can link into each other in connected speech, e.g. it’s a good day – / 
ts
ʌde
/ 
Main stress: see stress. 
Minimal pair 
Two words which are different from each other only by one meaningful sound, and by their meaning, e.g. hear, fear. 
Phoneme 
The smallest sound unit which can make a difference to meaning e.g. /p/ in pan, /b/ in ban. Phonemes have their own 
symbols (phonemic symbols), each of which represents one sound. Words can be presented in phonemic script 
(usually International Phonetic Alphabet or IPA), e.g. /
d kt / – doctor. Phonemic transcription is used in 
dictionaries to aid pronunciation. 
Rhyme 
1. Words that sound the same, e.g. hat, cat. 
2. A song or poem with words that sound the same at the end of each line
I believe I can fly. 
I believe I can touch the sky. 
Rhythm 
A regular pattern of stress and syllable length. 
Schwa: see stress. 
 
Sentence stress: see stress. 
Stress 
 
Sentence stress is where different words in a sentence are stressed. In English these are usually the 
information-carrying words. In the sentence It was a lovely evening, and the temperature was perfect, the 
main stress, when spoken, is probably on the word perfect. Stress can therefore be used to show meaning, 
to emphasise a particular point or feeling.