English Pronunciation:
WordStress!
Speak clearly to be understood
Incorrect stress can cause misunderstanding just as much as incorrect sounds.
Stress and Unstress
What does STRESS sound like?
Louder Longer Higher
er ar or ure/ə/
a e i o u
teacher collar doctor measure
zebra garden fossil lion circus
What does UNSTRESS sound like?
But not always!
What is the best way to learn?Connect the learning to as many senses as possible.
1. hearing
2. seeing
4. tasting
3. smelling 5. touching
Action and movement
Secret Weapon for Practising Stress!
OK let’s learn!
We Need Rules!
even though there will always be exceptions.
Number One Rule:Always count syllables
from the tail end.
last
second last
third last
Also known as:
ultimate
penultimate
ante-penultimate
final
2 syllable words:
second last last
final / ultimate
penultimate
Stress on the 1st syllable:MOST 2-syllable nouns and adjectives
have stress on the second last syllable.
BUTter SANDwich
Second lastpenultimate
Stress on the LAST SyllableMOST 2-syllable verbs have stress on the LAST syllable.
diVIDE reCEIVE
finalultimate
Word Stress that Changes
Some 2 syllable words change stressdepending on whether they are used as an adjective or a noun, or a verb.
ADDRESS
COMBAT
COMPOUND
CONDUCT
CONTENT
DECREASE
DESERT
EXPORT
FREQUENT
INSULT
OBJECT
PERFECT PERMIT
PRESENT
PROTEST
TRANSPORT
These are called heteronyms
Rules for Longer Words:Stress is attracted to certain syllables:
-ic
-sion
-xion
The stress falls on the syllable just before ...
-cion
-tion
So where is the stress?
calculation decision
reaction solution
distribution television
relation association
operation
calculation decision
reaction solution
distribution television
relation association
operation
So where is the stress?
What is the pattern here?
economic terrificstrategic logicpathogenic domesticmetabolic statistic
What is the pattern here?
economic terrificstrategic logicpathogenic domesticmetabolic statistic
Where is the stress?
biology biologicalpolicy politicalgeography geographicaluniversity managerialphotography photographicalsociety sociologicaltechnology technologicalelectricity electrical
Where is the stress?biology biologicalpolicy politicalgeography geographicaluniversity managerialphotography photographicalsociety sociologicaltechnology technological
electricity electricalWhat rule? the ‘-ic’
rule
What do they have in common?
biology policygeography universityphotography societytechnology electricity
And where is the stress?
“3rd Last” Rule:
For words that end in consonant + y
-cy
-ty
-gy
-phy
-fy
Stress falls on the third last syllable.
* not -ly
(“ante-penultimate”)
More examples
quality
democracy
allergy
atrophy
clarify
equality
archaeology
choreography
More examples
quality
democracy
allergy
atrophy
clarify
equality
archaeology
choreography
Another “3rd Last” Rule:In words that end in
-ise / -ize
-ate
stress falls on the3rd last syllable.
(“ante-penultimate”)
Some –ise / ize examples:
accessorise acclimatise actualise advertise
agonise anesthetise anodise antagonise
apologise brutalise recognise computerise
contextualise summarise standardise mobilise
organise dramatise emphasise energise
epitomise fantasise fertilise finalise
globalise idolise legalise magnetise
Some –ise / ize examples:
accessorise acclimatise actualise advertise
agonise anesthetise anodise antagonise
apologise brutalise recognise computerise
contextualise summarise standardise mobilise
organise dramatise emphasise energise
epitomise fantasise fertilise finalise
globalise idolise legalise magnetise
Some –ate examples
generate certificate passionate
graduate advocate separate
appropriate estimate associate
concentrate illustrate participate
immediate corporate chocolate
negotiate communicate accommodate
advocate anticipate delegate
Some of these are heteronyms
Some –ate examples
generate certificate passionate
graduate advocate separate
appropriate estimate associate*
concentrate illustrate participate
immediate corporate chocolate
negotiate communicate accommodate
advocate anticipate delegate
Revision:• 2 syllable nouns/adjectives: stress penultimate
syllable (2nd last). (many exceptions)
• 2 syllable verbs: stress ultimate (final) syllable. (most)
• Stress before –ic• Stress before –tion (-sion, -cion, -xion)• Stress on ante-penultimate syllable (3rd last) for
words that end in:1. consonant plus y, (not –ly)2. -ise (/-ize), 3. -ate
Examples worksheet
Answers
Examples worksheet (2)
Answers(2)noun adjective verb 1st syllable last syllable
Time to work
together with your
group
cal- -cu-
-la-
-tion
Demonstrate the stress pattern of the word: calculation
That wasn’t so hard now, was it?
LET’S PLAY BINGO!
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Use sunflower seeds as markers
FIVE-IN-A-ROW = BINGO!
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