10.2 Emphasis and Contrastive Stress

Emphatic Stress (to highlight or clarify meaning)

1. I did call you! (Not someone else)
2. I did call you! (To confirm it happened)
3. I did call you! (Not text or email)
4. I did call you! (Not someone else)
5. She really likes it. (Strong emotion)
6. That was so funny! (Intensifying emotion)
7. I can do it! (To insist or reassure)
8. He’s already gone. (To emphasize timing)
9. This is exactly what I meant. (Precision)
10. I never said that! (Strong denial)

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Contrastive Stress (to correct or distinguish ideas)

11. I said coffee, not tea.
12. He’s from Mexico, not Spain.
13. I want the blue one, not the red one.
14. We’re meeting on Friday, not Thursday.
15. She’s a doctor, not a nurse.
16. I asked for a pen, not a pencil.
17. He’s my brother, not hers.
18. I said can, not can’t.
19. I meant this book, not that one.
20. We’re going to Paris, not London.

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