Word Stress





English Grammar Index


Word Stress :


English words with more than one syllable mostly have a fixed stress pattern. There are not many rules to show which syllable of a word will be stressed. One usually has to learn the stress pattern of a word along with its meaning, spelling and pronunciation.


Stressed on first syllable :


AFter, CAPItal, HAPpen, EXercise, EAsy


Stressed on second syllable :


InSTEAD, proNOUNCE, aGREEment, partiCULARly


Stressed on third syllable :


EnterTAIN, underSTAND, concernTRAtion


The stressed syllable of a word is the one that can carry an intonation movement. Many short phrases also have a fixed stress pattern.


frontDOOR, (not FRONTdoor)

LIVing room (not living ROOM)


Related words can have different stress patterns.


To inCREASE, an INcrease, PHOtograph, photoGRAPHer photoGRAphic





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