As you notice, it is a really easy exercise that will let you convey the right sense of your phrases.

Another aspect to think about is falling or rising accent in the phrases. Let's check it with, “I do” -don't get your hopes up; I am not planning to walk you down the aisle. “I do”, with a falling accent tells a simple truth, is a declarative sentence, a statement, where “I do”, with a rising accent constitutes a question, an answer uttered in disbelief, amazement or surprise. “I do? Come on, you know better than that!”

Configurations known as question tags, also have a distinct accent. Unlike basic questions, that carry a rising accent, question tags mimic a question, when they are just highlighters, seeking verification from the listener. For example: “That is your daughter, isn't she?” This communicates, I have a great suspicion that that lady right there is your daughter, given the way she looks at you, etc. I am just looking for verification from you. Because of this, question tags never use a rising accent.

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