English Word Stress: How to Hear and Mark the Strong Syllable
English word stress makes one syllable more prominent through a combination of length, pitch, and clarity.
Clear Explanation
• Count syllables before marking stress.
• Use dictionary stress marks rather than guessing from spelling.
• Some noun–verb pairs change stress, such as record.
• Related words can shift stress, as in photograph and photography.
• Practice the whole word inside a short sentence.
Examples
Please record the new record.
The present is present on the table.
Information has stress before the -tion ending.
Quick Comparison
Common Mistake
Do not make every syllable equally strong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can stress change meaning or part of speech?
Yes, some pairs use stress to distinguish a noun from a verb.
How is stress shown in IPA?
A mark before the stressed syllable is commonly used.