Introduction
English word stress can seem unpredictable, but a small number of patterns explain many common words.
Three Universal Truths
- Every word has one primary stress.
- Stress always falls on a vowel sound.
- A stressed syllable is typically louder, longer, and higher in pitch.
Examples:
Table
-
2 syllables
-
TA-ble
-
DOC-tor
-
HAP-py
-
re-LAX
-
de-CIDE
Rule 1: Two-Syllable Words
Nouns and Adjectives Usually Stress the First Syllable
Examples:
- TA-ble
- DOC-tor
- WIN-dow
- HAP-py
- CLE-ver
- QUI-et
Verbs Usually Stress the Second Syllable
Examples:
- re-LAX
- de-CIDE
- ar-RIVE
- for-GET
- be-LONG
- ex-PLAIN
Picture = PIC-ture
ignore = ig-NORE
Suspect = noun and a verb
Verb = sus-PECT
noun = SUS-pect
Record = noun and verb
verb = re-CORD
noun = RE-cord
sarcasm
- SAR-ca-zum
Rule 2: Noun–Verb Stress Shifts
Many two-syllable words change stress depending on whether they are used as nouns or verbs.
| Noun | Verb |
|---|---|
| RE-cord | re-CORD |
| PRE-sent | pre-SENT |
| CON-tract | con-TRACT |
| PER-mit | per-MIT |
| OB-ject | ob-JECT |
Examples:
- I bought a new RE-cord.
- Please re-CORD the meeting.
Rule 3: Common Suffix Rules
Words Ending in -ic
Stress usually falls on the syllable immediately before -ic.
Examples:
- geo-GRAPH-ic
- dra-MAT-ic
- dramatic
- eco-NOM-ic
- ath-LET-ic
- sci-en-TIF-ic
Words Ending in -ity
Stress usually falls on the syllable immediately before -ity.
Examples:
- e-lec-TRIC-i-ty
- electric = e-LEC-tric
- pos-si-BIL-i-ty
- op-por-TUN-i-ty
- opportunity
- cu-ri-OS-i-ty
- a-bil-i-TY
Words Ending in -ee
Stress usually falls on -ee.
Examples:
- employ-EE
- train-EE
- refu-GEE
- atten-DEE
- pay-EE
Words Ending in -eer
Stress usually falls on -eer.
Examples:
- engi-NEER
- volun-TEER
- pio-NEER
- moun-tai-NEER
- ca-REER
Words Ending in -oon
Stress usually falls on -oon.
Examples:
- bal-LOON
- after-NOON
- afternoon
- ty-PHOON
- car-TOON
- mon-SOON
alternative
al-TER-na-tive
alter = AL-ter
Rule 4: Compound Words
Compound Nouns Usually Stress the First Word
Examples:
- GREEN-house
- RAIN-coat
- TOOTH-brush
- AIR-port
- SUN-light
Compound Adjectives and Verbs Often Stress the Second Word
Examples:
- well-KNOWN
- old-FASHioned
- over-FLOW
- under-STAND
- self-aWARE
How to Guess Stress
When you see a new word:
- Check whether it has a recognizable ending such as -ic, -ity, -ee, -eer, or -oon.
- Determine whether it is a noun, adjective, or verb.
- Apply the relevant stress pattern.
- Verify with a dictionary when possible.
Common Exceptions
These words do not follow the most common patterns above.
Nouns with Second-Syllable Stress
- ho-TEL
- po-LICE
- gui-TAR
- ma-CHINE
- ca-NAL
Verbs with First-Syllable Stress
- AN-swer
- OF-fer
- PROM-ise
- VIS-it
- EN-ter
Important Notes About -tion and -sion
Words ending in -tion and -sion are less predictable than many learners are taught.
Examples:
- NA-tion
- STA-tion
- VI-sion
- TE-le-vi-sion
- de-CI-sion
- ex-PLO-sion
These words are best learned individually or through exposure to word families rather than by relying on a single stress rule.