I heard this phrase in a TV show: "I'm sort of busy right now". You can listen it here (I cut out the phrase): https://clyp.it/4khla44l
Phonetically it looks like: [ɑɪm soərt əv bɪzi raɪt naʊ]. The words "sort" and "of" can be linked together, because of the consonant + vowel. But this is not what I'm interested in.
I can hear some stress on the word "sort" and "busy". I think "busy" gets the most stress when pronounced. Am I right? But what about the ending words "right now"? It seems to me they don't get any stress, or there is little stress on the word "now".
I would be grateful for any suggestion! Thank you.
Best Answer
The emphasis indicates the crucial part of the sentence. You could put the emphasis in lots of different places, depending on what you want to .... emphasize.
I am busy, but perhaps I know of another person who could help you.
I am a little bit busy, but I might be able to help you if it won't take very long, or you can convince me it is super important.
I am busy. With light stress, this is the default way one might pronounce the sentence.
With heavy stress, it might mean: Although I said I am sort of busy, I am actually very busy.
Maybe even: You are treating me as if I am not busy, but you should be able to tell that I am.
I am busy now, but I might have time to help you later, if you can wait for a little while.