Word Stress

What is a stressed syllable?

A syllable is a beat or unit inside a word.

In a multisyllabic English word, one syllable is often more prominent than the others.

We can show the stressed syllable with capital letters:

• TA-ble
• be-GIN
• im-POR-tant
• com-MU-ni-cate

Stress is not just volume

A stressed syllable may be slightly louder, longer or clearer, and its pitch may also change.

The important point is that it stands out from the surrounding syllables.

Unstressed syllables are often weaker

English often reduces vowels in unstressed syllables.

This is one reason why pronouncing every syllable with equal force can sound less natural and sometimes make a word harder to recognise.

Stress can distinguish words or word forms

In some English words, stress placement is connected to grammatical function or meaning.

For example, the noun REcord and the verb reCORD are commonly distinguished by stress in many varieties of English.

The exact pattern is not identical for every English variety, so use a reliable dictionary or audio model when learning a new word.

Learn stress with the word

Do not learn only the spelling and meaning of new vocabulary.

When possible, also learn:

• how many syllables the word has
• which syllable is stressed
• how the unstressed syllables sound
• one example phrase containing the word

Same letters, different stress

REcord: a noun — 'I listened to the record.'

reCORD: a verb — 'Please record the presentation.'

Stress can help listeners identify how the word is being used.

A longer word

Consider the word communication.

Instead of giving every syllable equal force, the main stress falls on a later syllable: com-mu-ni-CA-tion.

Marking the stress when you learn the word can make recall and pronunciation easier.

1. Say the word slowly and count the syllables.
2. Check a reliable dictionary or audio model.
3. Mark the stressed syllable.
4. Clap or tap once on the stressed syllable.
5. Say the word at normal speed.
6. Put it into a short phrase.
7. Return to the word later without looking at your stress mark.

• Write im-POR-tant rather than important when practising.
• Underline the stressed syllable in your notes.
• Group new vocabulary by stress pattern.
• Use a dictionary that provides audio.
• Shadow short phrases by listening and repeating immediately afterwards.

Equal stress on every syllable

English rhythm often depends on contrast between stronger and weaker syllables.

Guessing from spelling

Spelling alone does not reliably show where the stress falls. Check unfamiliar words.

Learning stress separately from meaning

Word stress is easiest to remember when practised together with the word's meaning and an example sentence.

Which practice method is most useful when learning a new multisyllabic word?

• A. Learn only the spelling.
• B. Learn the meaning, number of syllables, stressed syllable and an example phrase.
• C. Pronounce every syllable equally strongly.
• D. Avoid saying the word until you are certain it is perfect.

Answer: B. Stress is part of knowing how a word works in spoken language.

• Multisyllabic English words normally contain a prominent stressed syllable.
• Unexpected stress can make familiar words harder to recognise.
• Unstressed syllables are often weaker.
• Stress sometimes helps distinguish word forms or meanings.
• Learn pronunciation and stress together with new vocabulary.