Word Stress

Word Stress

Patterns In every word in English, there is one main emphasized syllable. The vowel sound
Listen & in this syllable sounds higher in pitch, longer, and louder, and this is called
Practice stress. This helps create the rhythm of the language, and knowing how to recognize
Related Topics the stressed syllable will help you with comprehension. Placing the stress where it
should be when you're speaking helps native speakers understand you better as well.
More
Information

• A multi-syllable word has a prominent syllable. This is called a stressed syllable.

• Stressed syllable is longer in duration, higher in pitch, and louder in volume.
• Duration is the primary attribute to the prominence of a syllable.
• Usually 2 syllable nouns (90%+) have the stress on the first syllable; 2 syllable verbs (60%+) have
the stress on the second.
• Except for the compounds, stressed syllables in words with more than 2 syllables never stand next
to each other (Stressed syllables and weak syllables alternate).

What are the patterns?

English word stress is not always on the same syllable, like in some languages. Many times, though, it is
one of the last three syllables in the word. Here are some examples of stress in different syllables of the
word:
computer languages pronunciation
Could you hear a difference in tone, length, and loudness between the stressed and unstressed syllables?

Sometimes you can predict the stress placement because of the type of word or the ending you put on it.
Here are some general rules:

Word type Where is the stress? Examples

center
Nouns on the first syllable object
flower
Two syllables
release
Verbs on the last syllable admit
arrange
Nouns
(N + N)
Compound (Adj. + N)
Rules for Sentence Stress in English
The basic rules of sentence stress are:

1. content words are stressed

2. structure words are unstressed
3. the time between stressed words is always the same

The following tables can help you decide which words are content words and which words are structure
words:

Content words - stressed

Words carrying the meaning Example

main verbs SELL, GIVE, EMPLOY

nouns CAR, MUSIC, MARY

adjectives RED, BIG, INTERESTING

adverbs QUICKLY, LOUDLY, NEVER

negative auxiliaries DON'T, AREN'T, CAN'T

Structure words - unstressed

Words for correct grammar Example

pronouns he, we, they

prepositions on, at, into

articles a, an, the

conjunctions and, but, because

auxiliary verbs do, be, have, can, must

Exceptions

The above rules are for for what is called "neutral" or normal stress. But sometimes we can stress a word
that would normally be only a structure word, for example to correct information. Look at the following
dialogue:

"They've been to Mongolia, haven't they?"

"No, THEY haven't, but WE have.

Note also that when "be" is used as a main verb, it is usually unstressed (even though in this case it is a
content word).