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Uptalk

Definition

The habit of ending statements with a rising intonation, making them sound like questions even when they aren't.

Uptalk (also called "high rising terminal" or HRT) is common in modern English and not inherently wrong. In casual conversation it can signal openness or invite confirmation.

In presentations, however, constant uptalk undermines authority — every statement sounds tentative. The fix isn't adopting a forced declarative tone but ending key sentences with a downward inflection that lands the point.

Sources

Linneman, "Gender in Jeopardy! Intonation Variation on a Television Game Show," Gender & Society (2013) — Gender & Society

Related terms

Vocal fry

A low, creaky vocal register produced when vocal cords vibrate slowly and irregularly — common at the ends of sentences in modern English.

Cadence

The rhythm and flow of speech — the pattern of pauses, emphasis, and pacing across sentences.

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