In English, syllable stress is essential: one syllable in a word is usually stronger — it is louder, longer, and clearer. Getting stress right helps pronunciation, listening comprehension, and meaning.
What Is Syllable Stress?
Key points:
- One syllable in most words receives the main (primary) stress.
- Stressed syllables are louder, longer, and pronounced more clearly.
- Wrong stress can make a correct word hard to understand or change its meaning.
Quick Examples
aBOUT → /əˈbaʊt/
REcord (noun) vs reCORD (verb)
Two-Syllable Patterns (Helpful Rules)
| Word Type | Stress Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Nouns & Adjectives | usually first syllable | TAble, DOCtor, HAPpy |
| Verbs & Prepositions | usually second syllable | reLAX, deCIDE, aBOVE |
| Prefixes | usually unstressed | unHAPpy, reTURN |
Three or More Syllables — Useful Rules & Patterns
Long words still have one main stress. Many times the stress is influenced by suffixes (word endings) or falls near the end of the word.
Stress-attracting suffixes (these pull the main stress)
| Suffix | Where the stress usually falls | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| -tion / -sion / -cian | on the syllable before the ending | inforMAtion, poLItician, teleVIsion |
| -ic / -ical | on the syllable before the ending | ecoNOmic, draMAtic, eLECtrical |
| -ity | on the syllable before -ity | posSIbility, aBILity |
| -graphy / -logy | often on the third from the end | phoTOgraphy, biOlogy, psyCHOlogy |
Stress-neutral suffixes (do not move the stress)
When you add these, the stress usually stays on the same syllable as the root word.
- -ment — agreeMENT
- -ness — hapPIness
- -ful / -less / -ly — beauTIful, careLESS, quiETly
Antepenultimate stress (third-from-last)
When no strong suffix attracts stress, many long words have stress on the third syllable from the end (the antepenultimate syllable).
Prefixes are usually weak
Prefixes such as re-, un-, in-, dis-, im-, pre- are usually unstressed. Teach the root stress first, then add the prefix.
Primary vs Secondary Stress (advanced)
Very long words can have a primary stress and a weaker secondary stress. ESL focus: find the main stress first.
Classroom Tips and Shortcuts
- Look at the ending first. Suffixes often tell you where stress goes.
- Teach the root and the base stress, then add prefixes/suffixes.
- Use clapping or tapping to practice stressed syllables (students love this!).
- Focus on finding the main stress before worrying about secondary stress.
Common Examples & Pair Practice
| Word | Marked stress | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| information | inforMAtion | -tion attracts stress |
| photography | phoTOgraphy | third-from-end stress |
| economic | ecoNOmic | -ic attracts stress |
| present / present | PREsent (noun) — preSENT (verb) | stress changes word class |
Mini Practice
-
What does the prefix re- usually mean?
again
-
Circle the root in this word: unemploymentHint: root = employ
employ
-
Which suffix changes a word into a noun: -ness or -ful?
-ness
-
Where is the stress in photography?
phoTOgraphy — stress is the third syllable from the end.
-
Mark the stressed syllable in education.
eduCAtion — stress before -tion
More Practice Ideas
- Provide lists: students mark stress and compare in pairs.
- Minimal-pair drill: present vs. preSENT, REcord vs reCORD.
- Ask students to add suffixes to base words and decide if stress changes.