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发表于 2009-7-13 21:27:47
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Rules of Word Stress in EnglishThere are two very simple rules about word stress: [ol]One word has only one stress. (One word cannot have two stresses. If you hear two stresses, you hear two words. Two stresses cannot be one word. It is true that there can be a "secondary" stress in some words. But a secondary stress is much smaller than the main stress, and is only used in long words.)
We can only stress vowels, not consonants.[/ol]Here are some more, rather complicated, rules that can help you understand where to put the stress. But do not rely on them too much, because there are many exceptions. It is better to try to "feel" the music of the language and to add the stress naturally. 1 Stress on first syllable ruleexampleMost 2-syllable nounsPRESent, EXport, CHIna, TAbleMost 2-syllable adjectivesPRESent, SLENder, CLEVer, HAPpy2 Stress on last syllable ruleexampleMost 2-syllable verbsto preSENT, to exPORT, to deCIDE, to beGIN
There are many two-syllable words in English whose meaning and class change with a change in stress. The word present, for example is a two-syllable word. If we stress the first syllable, it is a noun (gift) or an adjective (opposite of absent). But if we stress the second syllable, it becomes a verb (to offer). More examples: the words export, import, contract and object can all be nouns or verbs depending on whether the stress is on the first or second syllable.3 Stress on penultimate syllable (penultimate = second from end) ruleexampleWords ending in -icGRAPHic, geoGRAPHic, geoLOGicWords ending in -sion and -tionteleVIsion, reveLAtion
For a few words, native English speakers don't always "agree" on where to put the stress. For example, some people say teleVIsion and others say TELevision. Another example is: CONtroversy and conTROversy.4 Stress on ante-penultimate syllable (ante-penultimate = third from end) ruleexampleWords ending in -cy, -ty, -phy and -gydeMOcracy, dependaBIlity, phoTOgraphy, geOLogyWords ending in -alCRItical, geoLOGical5 Compound words (words with two parts) ruleexampleFor compound nouns, the stress is on the first partBLACKbird, GREENhouseFor compound adjectives, the stress is on the second partbad-TEMpered, old-FASHionedFor compound verbs, the stress is on the second partto underSTAND, to overFLOWNow check your understanding >
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