Individual speech sounds are very important but they are not the only aspect of spoken language that learners must master in order to speak fluent English. The way sounds are stressed is also an important aspect of learning a language and are particularly important when learning English.
Syllable Stress Patterns
Syllable stress patterns are guidelines, not rules! There are many words that do not fit these rules. Stress is closely related to parts of speech. For example, there are different rules for two-syllable verbs versus two-syllable nouns. here are some other suggestions:
- Clapping, tapping the table, or any other sort of “beat” can help a student to hear the stress (just like a metronome can help students learn the timing of music)
- Stress is sometimes related to prefixes and suffixes. Here’s an example of this with words ending in –er/-or: director, designer, producer, photographer. In this case, all of these three-syllable words that end in –er/-or are stressed on the second syllable.
Stress Pattern Exercises
Where is the stress in each of the words below? With your conversation partner, discuss the pattern of stress in the words below. Read these words aloud to hear the stress.
Table water angry busy quickly
Poverty calendar popular formula business
What is the pattern for this group of words?
Now let’s try a different part of speech: verbs. Where is the stress in each of the words below? Write a rule based on what you’ve noticed. Are there any exceptions to the rule?
Attach defy relate collect comply
What is the pattern for verbs according to this group of words?
And here are some exceptions to the examples above. Why are these words exceptions? Hint: It has to do with how these words are used in other parts of speech!
copy mandate market bottle package
Words with Four Syllables or More
The stress patterns for words longer than four syllables are varied and really depend on suffixes. For example, words ending in –tion, -ment, -able, and -ity all have specific stress patterns. Let’s try a few.
Replaceable adjustable recordable
- What is the pattern for four-syllable adjectives ending in –able/-ible:
Facilitation cooperation modification
- What is the pattern for five-syllable nouns ending in –tion:
Write down three examples of words that have the same part of speech, same syllable count, and same suffix. Then, write a rule for how to stress those words.
Now, consider the underlined words below. What might the rule be here?
Hint: look at your notes from the exercises above!
- I am content with the content.
- They convicted the convict.
- The convert converts others to her new lifestyle of driving convertibles.
Resources:
Word Stress Rules: http://ksol.ac.in/pdf/tutorial/WORDSTRESS-RULES.pdf
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