History Main / AlternateCatchphraseInflection

** All Daleks say, "Exterminate!" when they want to kill someone (which, considering they're [[AlwaysChaoticEvil evil]] killing machines, is a lot). Usually, it's shouted with pauses between each syllable and a rising inflection ("EX-TER-MIN-''ATE''!") but when a Dalek begins thinking it's Oswin Oswald, it starts out saying, "Eggs" because Clara was making souffles, but then realises it's a Dalek and awkwardly turns it into "Eggs...ter...minate?".

** The episode "Unification" has Sarek try to say, "Live long and prosper" while dying. Not only does he forget to say, 'prosper' but he speaks in a weak voice. Most of the time, when Vulcans (his species) say, "Live long and prosper", it's in their usual stoic tone with a short pause after "live long".
** Usually when Picard says, "Engage!", it's in a very definite voice. However, at the end of "Angel One", he says it hoarsely due to residual effects of the alien virus that had previously infected him, along with Worf, Geordi, Wesley, and several background characters.

** In the episode "Drone", a transporter accident causes an individual Borg drone named One to be made. When he's dying, he refuses to be treated as he feels he deserves to die due to "having been an accident". Seven of Nine tells him to let himself be treated, saying, "You must comply!". Normally, Seven says, "You must comply" in a firm but emotionless voice, but here, she says it in a quiet, sad voice.
** In "Shattered", Tuvok says, "Live long and prosper" while seriously injured. [[DownplayedTrope While he does have the usual pause]] between the "live long" and the "prosper", he sounds much weaker than usual because, well, he's seriously injured.

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See also SelfBotchedCatchphrase, VerbalTicked, and SubvertedCatchphrase where they don't even say their catchphrase at all. Can overlap with NotSoStoic, MeaningfulEcho, CreepyMonotone, ElectronicSpeechImpediment, DyingVocalChange, InstantSoprano, IronicEcho, BewareTheNiceOnes, LetsGetDangerous, StutterStop, and OOCIsSeriousBusiness. If someone is saying ''a different person's'' catchphrase in the wrong tone, that's usually a MangledCatchphrase, but sometimes isn't if they're not trying to pass off as the one with the catchphrase. If the SigningOffCatchphrase (i.e. the catchphrase said at the end of the episode) is said in a different tone, it could mean that the episode is a VerySpecialEpisode, the character is sick or tired (if tired, it could overlap with GoToSleepEnding or TiredAfterTheSong), or (especially in kids' shows) someone else is asleep and the character doesn't want to wake them.

->Hmph. That was about the weakest [[CatchPhrase objection]] I've ever heard, Mr. Wright.

Many characters have a CatchPhrase, an iconic quote that they say in certain situations (such as when [[CatchphraseInsult insulting someone]], [[SigningOffCatchPhrase at the end of the episode]], or when [[InTheNameOfTheMoon defeating someone]] or [[DefeatCatchphrase being defeated]]) or even just all the time (sometimes [[OneWordVocabulary literally all the time]]). Now, sometimes this catchphrase is always said in a particular tone of voice... except when it's not.

Usually, it's a sign things are getting serious if a character says their catchphrase in a different tone of voice than usual. A weak, hoarse, or out-of-breath voice may signify that they're [[SickEpisode sick]], injured, tired, on drugs, or even [[PreMortemCatchphrase dying]]. A lack of enthusiasm might mean a character is [[HeroicBSOD in a slump]] or suffering from SleepDeprivation (though it could also mean they're just bored) and conversely, enthusiasm where there normally is none might mean that the character has gone insane and/or isn't taking things as seriously as they should. A sad voice... well, that goes without saying, and a scared or questioning voice often means the character [[OhCrap is realising they're in for it.]] A quieter voice than usual could mean any of those things, while a louder voice could mean the character is angry.

See also SelfBotchedCatchPhrase, VerbalTicked, and SubvertedCatchPhrase where they don't even say their catchphrase at all. Can overlap with NotSoStoic, MeaningfulEcho, CreepyMonotone, ElectronicSpeechImpediment, DyingVocalChange, InstantSoprano, IronicEcho, BewareTheNiceOnes, LetsGetDangerous, StutterStop, and OOCIsSeriousBusiness. If someone is saying ''a different person's'' catchphrase in the wrong tone, that's usually a MangledCatchPhrase, but sometimes isn't if they're not trying to pass off as the one with the catchphrase. If the SigningOffCatchPhrase (i.e. the catchphrase said at the end of the episode) is said in a different tone, it could mean that the episode is a VerySpecialEpisode, the character is sick or tired (if tired, it could overlap with GoToSleepEnding or TiredAfterTheSong), or (especially in kid shows) someone else is asleep and the character doesn't want to wake them.

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[[folder: Western Animation]]

--->'''Bart''': Man, you are ''not'' into that.

** All Daleks say, "Exterminate!" when they want to kill someone (which, considering they're [[AlwaysChaoticEvil evil]] killing machines, is a lot). Usually, it's shouted with pauses between each syllable and a rising inflection ("EX-TER-MIN-''ATE''!") but when a Dalek begins thinking it's Clara Oswald, it starts out saying, "Eggs" because Clara was making souffles, but then realises it's a Dalek and awkwardly turns it into "Eggs...ter...minate?".

* ''Film/MadMaxFuryRoad'' has the Warboys who scream "witness me" before performing kamikaze attacks and Nuk is no different except that he fails his attempt twice. At the climax he says the line in a calm, saddened tone to his new comrades just before committing his HeroicSacrifice.

* ''Film/MaxMadFuryRoad'' has the Warboys who scream "witness me" before performing kamikaze attacks and Nuk is no different except that he fails his attempt twice. At the climax he says the line in a calm, saddened tone to his new comrades just before committing his HeroicSacrifice.

[[folder: Films - Animation]]

[[folder: Films - Live-Action]]

* In ''VideoGame/ShadowTheHedgehog'', [[AlignmentBasedEndings after completing a path,]] Shadow finishes his speech declaring who he is with "This is who I am." In 9 of the 10 endings, Shadow says this with a triumphant tone at having ascertained his identity, however, in the Hero Ending to the Semi-Hero path, Shadow says it in a depressed tone because he feels that he should have never been born due to all the suffering he caused.

* In ''WesternAnimation/BeastWars'', Rattrap would occasionally say his catchphrase, "We're all gonna die", in a panicking heartbeat, to which it would usually be followed by the equally said, "Shut up, Rattrap" by any other Maximal in the vicinity. In the final episode of the series, ''Recap/BeastWarsS3E13NemesisPart2'', Megatron uses the Nemesis's tractor beam on the Ark to lift the Maximal (and possibly the Autobots) into the ship's sawblades. As this is happening, Rattrap says it [[DespairEventHorizon in a calming, more depressing tone]], to which Rhinox agrees with a simple "Yup".

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': Whenever Dr. Nick Riviera enters the scene, everyone present (including those who hate him), cheerfully says back, "Hi, Dr. Nick!". In "22 Short Films About Springfield", when he meets with Medical Review Board, they respond to his greeting in a bored, deadpan tone. Shortly after, Dr. Nick gives a serious "Hi, everybody" when he tries to talk down an unhinged Grampa. This is an instance of the trope first being inverted, then being played straight.

Many characters have a CatchPhrase, an iconic quote that they say in certain situations (such as when [[CatchphraseInsult insulting someone]], [[SigningOffCatchphrase at the end of the episode]], or when [[InTheNameOfTheMoon defeating someone]] or [[DefeatCatchphrase being defeated]]) or even just all the time (sometimes [[OneWordVocabulary literally all the time]]). Now, sometimes this catchphrase is always said in a particular tone of voice... except when it's not.

See also SelfBotchedCatchphrase, VerbalTicked, and SubvertedCatchphrase where they don't even say their catchphrase at all. Can overlap with NotSoStoic, MeaningfulEcho, CreepyMonotone, ElectronicSpeechImpediment, DyingVocalChange, InstantSoprano, IronicEcho, BewareTheNiceOnes, LetsGetDangerous, StutterStop, and OOCIsSeriousBusiness. If someone is saying ''a different person's'' catchphrase in the wrong tone, that's usually a MangledCatchphrase, but sometimes isn't if they're not trying to pass off as the one with the catchphrase. If the SigningOffCatchphrase (i.e. the catchphrase said at the end of the episode) is said in a different tone, it could mean that the episode is a VerySpecialEpisode, the character is sick or tired (if tired, it could overlap with GoToSleepEnding or TiredAfterTheSong), or (especially in kid shows) someone else is asleep and the character doesn't want to wake them.

* In ''Dalek'', the lone Dalek utters the catchphrase slowly and solemnly as it is DrivenToSuicide.

This is not always negative however: characters may say their catchphrase in a sentimental voice if a moment is focusing on love (romantic or platonic) or nostalgia or other such emotions.

** Alex Osborne is better known as [[InSeriesNickname "Starburns]] due to his star-shaped sideburns. He hates the nickname and tells people, "My name is Alex" in an annoyed tone. During "Pillows and Blankets", a rift forms between Troy and Abed and the student body starts to take sides. The Dean tries to stop the argument and specifically tells Alex to stand down, addressing him as "Starburns". He angrily replies, [[PunctuatedForEmphasis "My. Name. Is. Alex!"]] showing how high tensions are running.