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المكتبة > دروس و ملخصات > Word Stress
Rules of Word Stress in English
Rules of Word Stress in English
There are two very simple rules about word stress:
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One word has only one stress.
(One word cannot have two stresses. If you hear two stresses, you hear two
words. Two stresses cannot be one word. It is true that there can be a
"secondary" stress in some words. But a secondary stress is much smaller
than the main [primary] stress, and is only used in long words.)
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We can only stress vowels, not consonants.
Here are some more, rather complicated, rules that can help you understand where
to put the stress. But do not rely on them too much, because there are many
exceptions. It is better to try to "feel" the music of the language and to add
the stress naturally.
1. Stress on first syllable
|
rule |
example |
|
Most 2-syllable nouns |
PRESent, EXport, CHIna, TAble |
|
Most 2-syllable adjectives |
PRESent, SLENder, CLEVer, HAPpy |
2. Stress on last syllable
|
rule |
example |
|
Most 2-syllable verbs |
to preSENT, to exPORT, to deCIDE, to beGIN |
|
There are many two-syllable words in English whose
meaning and class change with a change in stress. The word
present, for example is a two-syllable word. If we stress the
first syllable, it is a noun (gift) or an adjective (opposite of
absent). But if we stress the second syllable, it becomes a verb (to
offer). More examples: the words export, import,
contract and object can all be nouns or verbs depending
on whether the stress is on the first or second syllable. |
3. Stress on penultimate syllable
(penultimate = second from end)
|
rule |
example |
|
Words ending in -ic |
GRAPHic, geoGRAPHic, geoLOGic |
|
Words ending in -sion and -tion |
teleVIsion, reveLAtion |
|
For a few words, native English speakers don't always
"agree" on where to put the stress. For example, some people say
teleVIsion and others say TELevision. Another example is:
CONtroversy and conTROversy. |
4. Stress on ante-penultimate syllable
(ante-penultimate = third from end)
|
rule |
example |
|
Words ending in -cy, -ty, -phy and -gy |
deMOcracy, dependaBIlity, phoTOgraphy, geOLogy |
|
Words ending in -al |
CRItical, geoLOGical |
5. Compound words (words with two parts)
|
rule |
example |
|
For compound nouns, the stress is on the first part |
BLACKbird, GREENhouse |
|
For compound adjectives, the stress is on the second
part |
bad-TEMpered, old-FASHioned |
|
For compound verbs, the stress is on the second part |
to underSTAND, to overFLOW |
- The End -
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