Word Stress
In English, one syllable in each word is stressed (said louder and longer). Getting stress wrong can make words very hard to understand!
What Is Word Stress?
The stressed syllable is:
- Louder
- Longer
- Higher in pitch
- Clearer (with a full vowel sound)
Stressed syllables are marked in CAPITALS: comPUter, TELephone, underSTAND
Why Stress Matters
Stress can change meaning:
| Word | Noun (stress on 1st) | Verb (stress on 2nd) |
|---|---|---|
| record | REcord (a music disc) | reCORD (to save audio) |
| present | PREsent (a gift) | preSENT (to show) |
| object | OBject (a thing) | obJECT (to disagree) |
| produce | PROduce (vegetables) | proDUCE (to make) |
| contract | CONtract (an agreement) | conTRACT (to shrink) |
Stress in Two-Syllable Words
Nouns: Usually stress the FIRST syllable
- TAble, TEAcher, DOCtor
- WINdow, MONey, PENcil
- WAter, PAper, MUsic
Verbs: Often stress the SECOND syllable
- beGIN, arRIVE, deCIDE
- aGREE, prePARE, atTEND
- rePEAT, exPLAIN, enJOY
Many exceptions exist! Some two-syllable verbs stress the first: LISten, HAppen, TRAvel, VIsit
Stress in Longer Words
Three-Syllable Words
- comPUter
- imPORtant
- beauTIful
- exPENsive
- toMORrow
Four-Syllable Words
- comMUnicate
- inFORmation
- uNIversity (also: uniVERsity)
- Education
Stress Patterns by Word Ending
Stress on the LAST syllable before:
-tion, -sion, -cian
- inforMATION
- teleVISION
- musiCIAN
-ic, -ical
- econOMIC
- poLITICal
- draMATIC
-ity
- possiBILIty
- univerSITy
- electricITy
Stress on the SYLLABLE ITSELF:
-ee, -eer, -eer
- employEE
- voluntEER
- enginEER
-ese, -ique
- JapanESE
- technIQUE
Stress on FIRST syllable:
-ment, -ness
- GOVernment
- HAPpiness
- MANagement
Compound Words
Compound Nouns: Stress the FIRST part
- BOOKstore (not bookSTORE)
- RAILway (not railWAY)
- FOOTball (not footBALL)
- SUNglasses (not sunGLASSes)
- BIRTHday (not birthDAY)
Compound Adjectives: Stress BOTH or the SECOND
- brand-NEW
- well-KNOWN
- old-FASHioned
Practice: Which Syllable?
Mark the stressed syllable:
| Word | Stress Pattern |
|---|---|
| photograph | PHOtograph |
| photography | phoTOGraphy |
| photographic | photoGRAPHic |
Notice how stress shifts in related words!