Word Stress in English

Rule #1: With most nouns and adjectives with 2 syllables, the stress is on the first syllable

Example: PRO-gress, PRE-sent, EN-gine, IN-crease, RE-cord, JEA-lous, CAU-tious, AW-kward, PLEA-sant.

Rule #2: With most verbs with 2 syllables, the stress is on the last syllable.

Example: pre-SENT, in-CREASE, ad-MIT, an-NOUNCE, be-GIN, ar – RANGE, im-PRESS, de – CIDE, of – FEND, re-CORD.

Rule #3: The words ending in –TION, - SION, - CIAN are usually stressed on the second last syllable.

Example: e – du – CA – tion, in – tu – I – tion, con – cen – TRA-tion, de – mons – TRA – tion, per – MIS – sion, ob – SES – sion, mu – SI – cian, ma – GI – cian, tech-NI-cian. Exception: TE – le – vi –sion.

Rule #4: Words ending in –IC are usually stressed on the second last syllable.

Example: e – co – NO –mic, rea – LIS –tic, stra – TE – gic, me – CHA – nic, geo – GRA – phic, dra – MA – tic, pes- si – MIS – tic, a – ca – DE- mic, po – E –tic, e – LEC –tric,

Rule #5: Words ending in –EE, - OO are usually stressed on the last syllable.

Example: em – ploy – EE, gua – rant – ee, degr – EE, shamp – OO, tatt – OO, tab – OO. Exception: com- MIT –tee, COF - fee