Proper rhythm for 則 (则)

[歐博思]

Example from Chinese Grammar Wiki

• 南方 人 喜欢 吃 甜 的 东西，北方 人 则 喜欢 吃 咸 的 东西。

Does 則 attach more closely to the preceding word, 北方人, or to the verb after, rhythm-wise?

[Jim]

More to what comes after but not strongly so; both southerners and northerners should be isolated a bit as the topic IMO then the 则 introduces the comment (while highlighting the contrast) so is linked more closely to that but also stands somewhat alone.

A groovy non-native opinion!

[abcdefg]

Agree with @Jim. This exaggerates the rhythm and phrasing somewhat, but might still be useful as a way of thinking about where the pauses would fall in natural speech. 

 

北方 人 

 则喜欢

吃

咸 的 东西

 

Strongest emphasis would fall on the 咸。

 

(At least that's my opinion, but I'm a non-native speaker.)