1. Two-Syllable nouns and adjectives
In most two syllable nouns and adjectives, the first syllable takes on the stress.
Examples:
2. Two-Syllable verbs and prepositions
In most two syllable verbs and prepositions, the stress is on the second syllable.
Examples:
3. Three-Syllable words
For three syllable words, look at the word ending (the suffix), using the following as your guide.
4. Words ending in er, or, ly
For words ending with the suffixes er, or, or ly, the stress is placed on the first syllable.
Examples:
5. Words ending in consonants and in y
If there is a word that ends in a consonant or in a y, then the first syllable gets the stress.
Examples:
6. Words with various endings
Take a good look at the list of suffixes below (suffixes are word endings).
Your stress is going to come on the syllable right before the suffix. This applies to words of all syllable lengths.
Examples:
7. Words ending in ee, ese, ique, ette
Words that use the suffix ee, ese, eer, ique or ette, have the primary stress actually placed on the suffix.
This applies to words of all syllable lengths.
Examples:
8. Prefixes
Usually, prefixes do not take the stress of a word.
There are a few exceptions to this rule, however, like: un, in, pre, ex andmis, which are all stressed in their prefix.
Examples:
9. Stress on the second from the end syllable
You put stress on the second syllable from the end of the word, with words ending in ic, sion and tion.
Examples:
10. Stress on the third from end syllable
You put stress on the third from end syllable with words that end in cy, ty,phy, gy and al.
Examples:
11. Word stress for compound words
A. Compound noun
A compound noun is a noun made out of two nouns in order to form one word. In a compound noun, the first word usually takes on the stress.
Examples:
B. Compound adjectives
A compound adjective is an adjective composed of at least two words.
Often, hyphens are used in compound adjectives. In compound adjectives, the stress is placed within the second word.
Examples:
C. Compound verbs
A compound verb is when a subject has two or more verbs. The stress is on the second or on the last part.
Examples:
D. Noun + compound nouns
Noun + compound Nouns are two word compound nouns. In noun + compound noun, the stress is on the first word.
Examples:
12. Phrasal verbs
Phrasal verbs are words made from a verb and preposition.
In phrasal verbs, the second word gets the stress (the preposition).
Examples:
13. Proper nouns
Proper nouns are specific names of people, places or things. For example: Jeniffer, Spain, Google.
The second word is always the one that takes the stress
Examples:
14. Reflexive pronouns
Reflexive pronouns show that the action affects the person who performs the action. For example: I hit myself.
The second syllable usually takes the stress.
Examples:
15. Numbers
If the number is a multiple of ten, the stress is placed on the first syllable.
Examples:
In most two syllable nouns and adjectives, the first syllable takes on the stress.
Examples:
- SAMples
- CARton
- COlorful
- RAIny
2. Two-Syllable verbs and prepositions
In most two syllable verbs and prepositions, the stress is on the second syllable.
Examples:
- reLAX
- recEIVE
- diRECT
- aMONG
- aSIDE
- beTWEEN
- About 80% or so of two-syllable words get their stress on the first syllable.
- There are of course, exceptions to this rule, but very few nouns and adjectives get stress on their second syllable.
- Verbs and prepositions usually get stress placed on the second syllable, but there are exceptions to this too.
3. Three-Syllable words
For three syllable words, look at the word ending (the suffix), using the following as your guide.
4. Words ending in er, or, ly
For words ending with the suffixes er, or, or ly, the stress is placed on the first syllable.
Examples:
- DIRect/DIRector
- ORder/ORderly
- MANage/MANager
5. Words ending in consonants and in y
If there is a word that ends in a consonant or in a y, then the first syllable gets the stress.
Examples:
- RARity
- OPtimal
- GRADient
- CONtainer
6. Words with various endings
Take a good look at the list of suffixes below (suffixes are word endings).
Your stress is going to come on the syllable right before the suffix. This applies to words of all syllable lengths.
Examples:
- able: ADDable, ARable, DURable
- ary: PRIMary, DIary, liBRary
- cial: juDIcial, nonSOcial
- cian: muSIcian, phySIcian, cliNICian
- ery: BAkery, SCENery
- graphy: calLIgraphy, bibliOgraphy, stenOgraphy
- ial: celesTIal, iniTIal, juDICial
- ian: coMEdian, ciVILian, techNIcian
- ible: viSIble, terRIble, reSIstible
- ic: arCHAic, plaTOnic, synTHEtic
- ical: MAgical, LOgical, CRItical
- ics: diaBEtics, paediAtrics
- ion: classifiCAtion, repoSItion, vegeTAtion
- ity: imMUnity, GRAvity, VAnity
- ium: HElium, ALUminum, PREmium
- imum: MInimum, MAXimum, OPtimum
- logy: BIology, CARdiology, RAdiology
- tal: caPItal, biCOAstal, reCItal
7. Words ending in ee, ese, ique, ette
Words that use the suffix ee, ese, eer, ique or ette, have the primary stress actually placed on the suffix.
This applies to words of all syllable lengths.
Examples:
- ee: agrEE, jamborEE, guarantEE
- eer: sightsEER, puppetEER
- ese: SiamESE, JapanESE, cheESE
- ette: cassETTE, CorvETTE, towelETTE
- ique: unIQUE, physIQUE
8. Prefixes
Usually, prefixes do not take the stress of a word.
There are a few exceptions to this rule, however, like: un, in, pre, ex andmis, which are all stressed in their prefix.
Examples:
- ex: EXample, EXplanation, EXamine
- in: INside, INefficient, INterest
- mis: MISspoke, MIStake, MISspelled
- pre: PREcede, PREarrange, PREliminary
9. Stress on the second from the end syllable
You put stress on the second syllable from the end of the word, with words ending in ic, sion and tion.
Examples:
- iCONic
- hyperTENsion
- nuTRItion
10. Stress on the third from end syllable
You put stress on the third from end syllable with words that end in cy, ty,phy, gy and al.
Examples:
- demoCRAcy
- TREAty
- geOGraphy
- ALlergy
- NAUtical
11. Word stress for compound words
A. Compound noun
A compound noun is a noun made out of two nouns in order to form one word. In a compound noun, the first word usually takes on the stress.
Examples:
- SEAfood
- ICEland
- TOOTHpaste
B. Compound adjectives
A compound adjective is an adjective composed of at least two words.
Often, hyphens are used in compound adjectives. In compound adjectives, the stress is placed within the second word.
Examples:
- ten-MEter
- rock-SOlid
- fifteen-MInute
C. Compound verbs
A compound verb is when a subject has two or more verbs. The stress is on the second or on the last part.
Examples:
- Matilda loves bread but deTESTS butter.
- Sarah baked cookies and ATE them up.
- Dogs love to eat bones and love DRINking water.
D. Noun + compound nouns
Noun + compound Nouns are two word compound nouns. In noun + compound noun, the stress is on the first word.
Examples:
- AIRplane mechanic
- PROject manager
- BOARDroom member
12. Phrasal verbs
Phrasal verbs are words made from a verb and preposition.
In phrasal verbs, the second word gets the stress (the preposition).
Examples:
- Black OUT
- break DOWN
- look OUT
13. Proper nouns
Proper nouns are specific names of people, places or things. For example: Jeniffer, Spain, Google.
The second word is always the one that takes the stress
Examples:
- North DAKOTA
- Mr. SMITH
- Apple INCORPORATED
14. Reflexive pronouns
Reflexive pronouns show that the action affects the person who performs the action. For example: I hit myself.
The second syllable usually takes the stress.
Examples:
- mySELF
- themSELVES
- ourSELVES
15. Numbers
If the number is a multiple of ten, the stress is placed on the first syllable.
Examples:
- TEN
- FIFty
- ONEhundred