Word Stress

Word Stress Word Stress Patterns Listen & Practice Related Topics More Information • • • • •

In every word in English, there is one main emphasized syllable. The vowel sound in this syllable sounds higher in pitch, longer, and louder, and this is called stress. This helps create the rhythm of the language, and knowing how to recognize 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.

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? Nouns

on the first syllable

Verbs

on the last syllable

Two syllables

Compound

Nouns (N + N) (Adj. + N)

Examples center object flower release admit arrange

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).