STRESS PATTERN

STRESS RULES

A. Stress on first syllable

Rule	example
Most 2-syllable nouns	PRESent, EXport, CHIna, TAble
Most 2-syllable adjectives	PRESent, SLENder, CLEVer, HAPpy

B. Stress on last syllable

Rule	example
Most 2-syllable verbs	preSENT, exPORT, deCIDE, 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.

C. 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.

D. 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

E. 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	underSTAND, overFLOW

 Stress the penultimate syllables (the second syllable from the end)

-ious Mysterious

-ient Ingredient

-ia bacteria

-ion classification

-ic characteristics

-ible terrible

-ery scenery

-ian Musician

-ial Financial

-able durable

-ish selfish

-osis hypnosis

-sion television

-tion Nutrition

Stress the suffix

-ade Lemonade

-ee Agree

-eer Puppeteer

-ese  Japanese

-ette  Cassette

- que physique

-oon  Cartoon

Stress the third syllable from the end or Ante penultimate syllable

-cy democracy

-phy Geography

-gy Allergy

-al Nautical

-ty Clarity