What Are the English Word Stress Rules?
How to know which syllable to stress, with the patterns that cover most English words.
10,000+ one-on-one lessons · Updated Nov 2, 2026
The short answer
A stressed syllable gets more volume, length, pitch and space than the others. Most words follow a few patterns: two-syllable nouns and adjectives stress the first syllable and verbs the second (REcord vs reCORD), words ending in -ic, -tion and -sion stress the second-to-last syllable, words ending in -cy, -ty, -phy, -gy and -al stress the third-to-last, and compound nouns stress the first word (FOOTball).
Word stress rules at a glance
| Pattern | Stress goes on | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Two-syllable nouns, adjectives | First syllable | CARton, HAPpy, TAble |
| Two-syllable verbs, prepositions | Second syllable | reLAX, deCIDE, beTWEEN |
| Noun vs verb pairs | Noun first, verb second | REcord / reCORD, ADdress / adDRESS |
| -ic, -tion, -sion, -ian, -ious | Second-to-last syllable | GRAPHic, soLUtion |
| -cy, -ty, -phy, -gy, -al | Third-to-last syllable | deMOcracy, aBILity |
| -ade, -ee, -ese, -eer, -ette, -oon, -que | The suffix itself | lemonADE, engiNEER |
| -ATE words | Same syllable; ending changes | SEParate (adj, “-it”) / SEParATE (verb) |
| Compound nouns | First element | FOOTball, NOTEbook |
Two-syllable words
• Nouns, Adjectives & Adverbs are stressed on the first syllable. • Verbs & Prepositions are stressed on the second syllable. • Exceptions exist in both groups, see below.
Nouns, Adjectives & Adverbs (Stress 1st)
- CARton /ˈkɑr.tən/ · YouGlish
- HAPpy /ˈhæp.i/ · YouGlish
- TAble /ˈteɪ.bəl/ · YouGlish
- PREsent (n) /ˈprɛz.ənt/ · YouGlish
- CLEver /ˈklɛv.ər/ · YouGlish
- SCISsors /ˈsɪz.ərz/ · YouGlish
- PURple /ˈpɜr.pəl/ · YouGlish
- RAINy /ˈreɪ.ni/ · YouGlish
- MOdern /ˈmɑd.ɚn/ · YouGlish
- TAbleau /ˈtæb.loʊ/ · YouGlish
Exceptions:
- hoTEL /hoʊˈtɛl/ · YouGlish
- faTIGUE /fəˈtiɡ/ · YouGlish
- eVENT /ɪˈvɛnt/ · YouGlish
- eXAM /ɪɡˈzæm/ · YouGlish
- poLICE /pəˈliːs/ · YouGlish
- ARgue /ˈɑrɡjuː/ · YouGlish
Verbs & Prepositions (Stress 2nd)
Nouns vs verbs: stress shift pairs
When a two-syllable word has more than one form, the noun usually stresses the first syllable and the verb the second. Listen for the contrast in volume, length, pitch and space.
Many English words change their stress when you switch from the noun form to the verb form:
- ADdress (n) /ˈæd.res/: “Please check the mailing address.” YouGlish adDRESS (v) /əˈdrɛs/: “We need to address this issue today.” YouGlish
- PREsent (n) /ˈprɛz.ənt/: “She gave me a birthday present.” YouGlish preSENT (v) /prɪˈzɛnt/: “Please present the report.” YouGlish
- REcord (n) /ˈrɛk.ərd/: “He broke the world record.” YouGlish reCORD (v) /rɪˈkɔrd/: “Can you record this lecture?” YouGlish
- REbel (n) /ˈrɛb.əl/: “The rebel army marched on.” YouGlish reBEL (v) /rɪˈbɛl/: “They decided to rebel against the rules.” YouGlish
- SUspect (n) /ˈsʌs.pɛkt/: “The suspect was arrested.” YouGlish susPECT (v) /səˈspɛkt/: “I suspect foul play.” YouGlish
- CONtract (n) /ˈkɑn.trækt/: “The contract was signed.” YouGlish conTRACT (v) /kənˈtrækt/: “They’ll contract the company.” YouGlish
- INcrease (n) /ˈɪn.kriːs/: “We saw an increase in sales.” YouGlish inCREASE (v) /ɪnˈkriːs/: “Please increase the volume.” YouGlish
- PERmit (n) /ˈpɜr.mɪt/: “You need a permit to park.” YouGlish perMIT (v) /pərˈmɪt/: “They will not permit late entries.” YouGlish
- PROtest (n) /ˈproʊ.test/: “There was a protest downtown.” YouGlish proTEST (v) /proʊˈtest/: “Citizens protest unfair laws.” YouGlish
- REsearch (n) /ˈriː.sɜrtʃ/: “Her research won an award.” YouGlish reSEARCH (v) /riːˈsɜrtʃ/: “He will research the topic.” YouGlish
Exceptions
Suffix rules
Words ending in -cy, -ty, -phy, -gy and -al put the primary stress on the third-to-last syllable. Words ending in -ic, -tion and -sion put it on the second-to-last. Some suffixes carry the stress themselves.
Second-to-last syllable
Words ending in -ic, -tion, -sion, -ian, -ious, -eous typically have stress on the second-to-last syllable. Common examples include:
Suffix -ic
- GRAphic /ˈɡræf.ɪk/ (graphic) YouGlish
- sciTIFic /saɪənˈtɪf.ɪk/ (scientific) YouGlish
- pho-to-GRAphic /ˌfoʊ.təˈɡræf.ɪk/ (photographic) YouGlish
- e-lec-TRONic /ɪˌlɛkˈtrɑn.ɪk/ (electronic) YouGlish
- pho-NETic /fəˈnɛt.ɪk/ (phonetic) YouGlish
- a-ca-DEMic /ˌækəˈdɛm.ɪk/ (academic) YouGlish
- e-co-NOM-ic /ˌiːkəˈnɒm.ɪk/ (economic) YouGlish
Suffix -tion
- creAtion /kriˈeɪ.ʃən/ (creation) YouGlish
- e-LECtion /ɪˈlɛk.ʃən/ (election) YouGlish
- lo-CAtion /loʊˈkeɪ.ʃən/ (location) YouGlish
- so-LUtion /səˈluː.ʃən/ (solution) YouGlish
- ad-DItion /əˈdɪʃ.ən/ (addition) YouGlish
- in-for-MAtion /ˌɪnfərˈmeɪ.ʃən/ (information) YouGlish
- com-PLEtion /kəmˈpliː.ʃən/ (completion) YouGlish
Suffix -sion
- di-VIsion /dɪˈvɪʒ.ən/ (division) YouGlish
- ex-PLOsion /ɪkˈsploʊ.ʒən/ (explosion) YouGlish
- con-FUsion /kənˈfjuː.ʒən/ (confusion) YouGlish
- per-MISsion /pərˈmɪʃ.ən/ (permission) YouGlish
- ad-HEsion /ədˈhiː.ʒən/ (adhesion) YouGlish
- im-MERsion /ɪˈmɪʒ.ən/ (immersion) YouGlish
- ad-MISsion /ædˈmɪʃ.ən/ (admission) YouGlish
Suffix -ian
Stress falls on the syllable right before -ian. Treat -ian (or -cian, which sounds like "shun") as one unit at the end.
Treat the suffix as one unit. Sometimes the i is its own small syllable (CU-ri-ous, li-BRAR-i-an), and sometimes it blends into a "sh" or "j" sound (de-LI-cious, mu-SI-cian). Either way, the stress lands right before the suffix.
- mu-SI-cian /mjuˈzɪʃ.ən/ (musician) YouGlish
- po-li-TI-cian /ˌpɑː.ləˈtɪʃ.ən/ (politician) YouGlish
- e-lec-TRI-cian /ɪˌlekˈtrɪʃ.ən/ (electrician) YouGlish
- li-BRAR-ian /laɪˈbrer.i.ən/ (librarian) YouGlish
- co-ME-dian /kəˈmiː.di.ən/ (comedian) YouGlish
- Ca-NA-dian /kəˈneɪ.di.ən/ (Canadian) YouGlish
- I-TAL-ian /ɪˈtæl.jən/ (Italian) YouGlish
Suffix -ious / -eous
Stress falls on the syllable right before -ious / -eous.
Treat the suffix as one unit. Sometimes the i is its own small syllable (CU-ri-ous, li-BRAR-i-an), and sometimes it blends into a "sh" or "j" sound (de-LI-cious, mu-SI-cian). Either way, the stress lands right before the suffix.
- de-LI-cious /dɪˈlɪʃ.əs/ (delicious) YouGlish
- am-BI-tious /æmˈbɪʃ.əs/ (ambitious) YouGlish
- sus-PI-cious /səˈspɪʃ.əs/ (suspicious) YouGlish
- mys-TER-ious /mɪˈstɪr.i.əs/ (mysterious) YouGlish
- CU-rious /ˈkjʊr.i.əs/ (curious) YouGlish
- VAR-ious /ˈver.i.əs/ (various) YouGlish
- cou-RA-geous /kəˈreɪ.dʒəs/ (courageous) YouGlish
- spon-TA-neous /spɑːnˈteɪ.ni.əs/ (spontaneous) YouGlish
Third-to-last syllable
Words ending in -cy, -ty, -phy, -gy, -al, -ify, -itive typically have stress on the third-to-last syllable. Common examples include:
Suffix -cy
- deMOcracy /dɪˈmɒk.rə.si/ (democracy) YouGlish
- eMERgency /ɪˈmɜː.dʒən.si/ (emergency) YouGlish
- efFIciency /ɪˈfɪʃ.ən.si/ (efficiency) YouGlish
- proFIciency /prəˈfɪʃ.ən.si/ (proficiency) YouGlish
- buREAUcracy /bjʊəˈrɒk.rə.si/ (bureaucracy) YouGlish
Suffix -ty
- acTIvity /ækˈtɪv.ɪ.ti/ (activity) YouGlish
- maJORity /məˈdʒɒr.ə.ti/ (majority) YouGlish
- caPAcity /kəˈpæs.ə.ti/ (capacity) YouGlish
- auTHORity /ɔːˈθɒr.ə.ti/ (authority) YouGlish
- ne CES sity /nəˈsɛs.ɪ.ti/ (necessity) YouGlish
Suffix -phy
- phoTOgraphy /fəˈtɒɡ.rə.fi/ (photography) YouGlish
- biOGraphy /baɪˈɒɡ.rə.fi/ (biography) YouGlish
- phiLOsophy /fəˈlɒs.ə.fi/ (philosophy) YouGlish
- paTHOLogy /pəˈθɒl.ə.dʒi/ (pathology) YouGlish
- cal LIG raphy /kəˈlɪɡ.rə.fi/ (calligraphy) YouGlish
Suffix -gy
- geOGraphy /dʒiˈɒɡ.rə.fi/ (geography) YouGlish
- biOLogy /baɪˈɒl.ə.dʒi/ (biology) YouGlish
- psyCHOLogy /saɪˈkɒl.ə.dʒi/ (psychology) YouGlish
- techNOLogy /tɛkˈnɒl.ə.dʒi/ (technology) YouGlish
- so-ci-OL-o-gy /ˌsoʊ.siˈɑːl.ə.dʒi/ (sociology) YouGlish
- myTHOLogy /maɪˈθɒl.ə.dʒi/ (mythology) YouGlish
- geOLogy /dʒiˈɒl.ə.dʒi/ (geology) YouGlish
- termiNOLogy /ˌtɜːr.məˈnɒl.ə.dʒi/ (terminology) YouGlish
- physioLOgy /ˌfɪziˈɒl.ə.dʒi/ (physiology) YouGlish
- anthroPOLogy /ˌænθrəˈpɒl.ə.dʒi/ (anthropology) YouGlish
Suffix -al
- CRITical /ˈkrɪt.ɪ.kəl/ (critical) YouGlish
- MEDical /ˈmɛd.ɪ.kəl/ (medical) YouGlish
- SPEcial /ˈspɛʃ.əl/ (special) YouGlish
- TIPical /ˈtɪp.ɪ.kəl/ (typical) YouGlish
- meCHANical /ˌmɛk.əˈnɪk.əl/ (mechanical) YouGlish
- CLASsical /ˈklæs.ɪ.kəl/ (classical) YouGlish
- e-co-NOM-i-cal /ˌiː.kəˈnɒm.ɪ.kəl/ (economical) YouGlish
- ac-ci-DENtal /ˌæk.sɪˈdɛn.təl/ (accidental) YouGlish
- math-e-MAT-i-cal /ˌmæθ.əˈmæt.ɪ.kəl/ (mathematical) YouGlish
- staTIStical /stəˈtɪs.tɪ.kəl/ (statistical) YouGlish
- pre-si-DENT-ial /prɛz.ɪˈdɛn.ʃəl/ (presidential) YouGlish
- cat-e-GOR-i-cal /ˌkæt.əˈɡɒr.ɪ.kəl/ (categorical) YouGlish
Exceptions: common words like arRIval, surVIval, apPROVal, proPOSal and reFUSal stress the second-to-last syllable.
Suffix -ify
Stress falls on the syllable right before -i-fy.
- i-DEN-ti-fy /aɪˈden.t̬ə.faɪ/ (identify) YouGlish
- SIM-pli-fy /ˈsɪm.plə.faɪ/ (simplify) YouGlish
- CLAS-si-fy /ˈklæs.ə.faɪ/ (classify) YouGlish
- QUAL-i-fy /ˈkwɑː.lə.faɪ/ (qualify) YouGlish
- JUS-ti-fy /ˈdʒʌs.tə.faɪ/ (justify) YouGlish
- CLAR-i-fy /ˈkler.ə.faɪ/ (clarify) YouGlish
- NO-ti-fy /ˈnoʊ.t̬ə.faɪ/ (notify) YouGlish
Suffix -itive
Stress falls on the syllable right before -i-tive.
- POS-i-tive /ˈpɑː.zə.t̬ɪv/ (positive) YouGlish
- SEN-si-tive /ˈsen.sə.t̬ɪv/ (sensitive) YouGlish
- com-PET-i-tive /kəmˈpet̬.ə.t̬ɪv/ (competitive) YouGlish
- re-PET-i-tive /rɪˈpet̬.ə.t̬ɪv/ (repetitive) YouGlish
- in-TU-i-tive /ɪnˈtuː.ə.t̬ɪv/ (intuitive) YouGlish
- PRIM-i-tive /ˈprɪm.ə.t̬ɪv/ (primitive) YouGlish
These suffixes (-ful, -less, -ment, -ness, -ly, -ish, -ing, -ed, -er, -or, -ship, -hood, -dom) do not move the stress. The stress stays on the same syllable as in the base word (CARE → CAREful, emPLOY → emPLOYment). The suffix itself is unstressed and usually reduced.
Suffix -ful
- CARE-ful /ˈker.fəl/ (careful) YouGlish
- BEAU-ti-ful /ˈbjuː.t̬ə.fəl/ (beautiful) YouGlish
- US-ful /ˈjuːs.fəl/ (useful) YouGlish
- HELP-ful /ˈhelp.fəl/ (helpful) YouGlish
- THANK-ful /ˈθæŋk.fəl/ (thankful) YouGlish
- WON-der-ful /ˈwʌn.dɚ.fəl/ (wonderful) YouGlish
Suffix -less
- HOME-less /ˈhoʊm.ləs/ (homeless) YouGlish
- CARE-less /ˈker.ləs/ (careless) YouGlish
- USE-less /ˈjuːs.ləs/ (useless) YouGlish
- HOPE-less /ˈhoʊp.ləs/ (hopeless) YouGlish
- WIRE-less /ˈwaɪr.ləs/ (wireless) YouGlish
Suffix -ment
- em-PLOY-ment /ɪmˈplɔɪ.mənt/ (employment) YouGlish
- a-GREE-ment /əˈɡriː.mənt/ (agreement) YouGlish
- de-VEL-op-ment /dɪˈvel.əp.mənt/ (development) YouGlish
- PAY-ment /ˈpeɪ.mənt/ (payment) YouGlish
- MAN-age-ment /ˈmæn.ɪdʒ.mənt/ (management) YouGlish
- en-JOY-ment /ɪnˈdʒɔɪ.mənt/ (enjoyment) YouGlish
Suffix -ness
- HAP-pi-ness /ˈhæp.i.nəs/ (happiness) YouGlish
- a-WARE-ness /əˈwer.nəs/ (awareness) YouGlish
- KIND-ness /ˈkaɪnd.nəs/ (kindness) YouGlish
- BUS-i-ness /ˈbɪz.nəs/ (business) YouGlish
- SICK-ness /ˈsɪk.nəs/ (sickness) YouGlish
Suffix -ly
- QUICK-ly /ˈkwɪk.li/ (quickly) YouGlish
- com-PLETE-ly /kəmˈpliːt.li/ (completely) YouGlish
- US-u-al-ly /ˈjuː.ʒu.ə.li/ (usually) YouGlish
- REAL-ly /ˈriː.li/ (really) YouGlish
- FI-nal-ly /ˈfaɪ.nə.li/ (finally) YouGlish
- ex-ACT-ly /ɪɡˈzækt.li/ (exactly) YouGlish
Suffix -ish
- CHILD-ish /ˈtʃaɪl.dɪʃ/ (childish) YouGlish
- FOOL-ish /ˈfuː.lɪʃ/ (foolish) YouGlish
- SEL-fish /ˈsel.fɪʃ/ (selfish) YouGlish
- STYL-ish /ˈstaɪ.lɪʃ/ (stylish) YouGlish
- BLU-ish /ˈbluː.ɪʃ/ (bluish) YouGlish
Suffix -ing
- be-GIN-ning /bɪˈɡɪn.ɪŋ/ (beginning) YouGlish
- LIS-ten-ing /ˈlɪs.ən.ɪŋ/ (listening) YouGlish
- WORK-ing /ˈwɝː.kɪŋ/ (working) YouGlish
- re-MEM-ber-ing /rɪˈmem.bɚ.ɪŋ/ (remembering) YouGlish
- TRAV-el-ing /ˈtræv.əl.ɪŋ/ (traveling) YouGlish
Suffix -ed
- de-CID-ed /dɪˈsaɪ.dɪd/ (decided) YouGlish
- HAP-pened /ˈhæp.ənd/ (happened) YouGlish
- STUD-ied /ˈstʌd.id/ (studied) YouGlish
- in-VIT-ed /ɪnˈvaɪ.t̬ɪd/ (invited) YouGlish
- FIN-ished /ˈfɪn.ɪʃt/ (finished) YouGlish
Suffix -er
- TEACH-er /ˈtiː.tʃɚ/ (teacher) YouGlish
- de-SIGN-er /dɪˈzaɪ.nɚ/ (designer) YouGlish
- WORK-er /ˈwɝː.kɚ/ (worker) YouGlish
- PLAY-er /ˈpleɪ.ɚ/ (player) YouGlish
- de-VEL-op-er /dɪˈvel.ə.pɚ/ (developer) YouGlish
Suffix -or
- VIS-i-tor /ˈvɪz.ɪ.t̬ɚ/ (visitor) YouGlish
- in-VEN-tor /ɪnˈven.tɚ/ (inventor) YouGlish
- AC-tor /ˈæk.tɚ/ (actor) YouGlish
- di-REC-tor /dəˈrek.tɚ/ (director) YouGlish
- ED-i-tor /ˈed.ɪ.t̬ɚ/ (editor) YouGlish
Suffix -ship
- FRIEND-ship /ˈfrend.ʃɪp/ (friendship) YouGlish
- re-LA-tion-ship /rɪˈleɪ.ʃən.ʃɪp/ (relationship) YouGlish
- LEAD-er-ship /ˈliː.dɚ.ʃɪp/ (leadership) YouGlish
- MEM-ber-ship /ˈmem.bɚ.ʃɪp/ (membership) YouGlish
- PART-ner-ship /ˈpɑːrt.nɚ.ʃɪp/ (partnership) YouGlish
Suffix -hood
- CHILD-hood /ˈtʃaɪld.hʊd/ (childhood) YouGlish
- NEIGH-bor-hood /ˈneɪ.bɚ.hʊd/ (neighborhood) YouGlish
- LIKE-li-hood /ˈlaɪ.kli.hʊd/ (likelihood) YouGlish
- PAR-ent-hood /ˈper.ənt.hʊd/ (parenthood) YouGlish
- BROTH-er-hood /ˈbrʌð.ɚ.hʊd/ (brotherhood) YouGlish
Suffix -dom
Stress on the suffix
These common English suffixes (-ade, -ee, -ese, -eer, -ette, -oon, -que) always carry primary stress on the suffix itself. Below are frequently used examples for each suffix:
Wrong stress on employee, career, unique, or engineer is one reason Americans ask where you’re from.
Suffix -ade
- lemonADE /ˌlɛm.əˈneɪd/ YouGlish
- arCADE /ɑːrˈkeɪd/ (arcade) YouGlish
- graNADE /ɡrəˈneɪd/ (grenade) YouGlish
- briGADE /brɪˈɡeɪd/ (brigade) YouGlish
- cruSADE /kruːˈseɪd/ (crusade) YouGlish
- casCADE /kæsˈkeɪd/ (cascade) YouGlish
- blockADE /blɑːˈkeɪd/ (blockade) YouGlish
Suffix -ee
- emploYEE /ɛm.plɔɪˈiː/ (employee) YouGlish
- guaranTEE /ˌɡær.ənˈtiː/ (guarantee) YouGlish
- refuGEE /ˌrɛf.jəˈdʒiː/ (refugee) YouGlish
- absenTEE /æbˈsen.tiː/ (absentee) YouGlish
- trainEE /trəˈniː/ (trainee) YouGlish
- interviewEE /ˌɪn.tər.vjuːˈiː/ (interviewee) YouGlish
- attenDEE /əˌtɛnˈdiː/ (attendee) YouGlish
- nomiNEE /ˌnɑː.məˈniː/ (nominee) YouGlish
- appointEE /əˌpɔɪnˈtiː/ (appointee) YouGlish
- licensEE /ˌlaɪ.sənˈsiː/ (licensee) YouGlish
- assignEE /əˌsaɪˈniː/ (assignee) YouGlish
- grantEE /ɡrænˈtiː/ (grantee) YouGlish
- lesSEE /lɛˈsiː/ (lessee) YouGlish
- trustEE /trʌsˈtiː/ (trustee) YouGlish
- menTEE /mɛnˈtiː/ (mentee) YouGlish
- invitEE /ˌɪn.vaɪˈtiː/ (invitee) YouGlish
Suffix -ese
- JapanESE /ˌdʒæp.əˈniːz/ (Japanese) YouGlish
- ChinESE /tʃaɪˈniːz/ (Chinese) YouGlish
- PortuGUESE /ˌpɔːr.tʃəˈɡiːz/ (Portuguese) YouGlish
- VietnamESE /ˌviː.et.nəˈmiːz/ (Vietnamese) YouGlish
- sudaNESE /suː.dəˈniːz/ (Sudanese) YouGlish
- legalESE /ˌliː.ɡəˈliːz/ (legalese) YouGlish
Suffix -eer
- engiNEER /ɛn.dʒɪˈnɪər/ (engineer) YouGlish
- voluntEER /ˌvɑː.lənˈtɪər/ (volunteer) YouGlish
- buccaNEER /ˌbʌk.əˈnɪər/ (buccaneer) YouGlish
- auctionEER /ˌɔːk.ʃəˈnɪər/ (auctioneer) YouGlish
- mountainEER /ˌmaʊn.tənˈɪər/ (mountaineer) YouGlish
- carEER /kəˈrɪər/ (career) YouGlish
- pionEER /ˌpaɪ.əˈnɪər/ (pioneer) YouGlish
Suffix -ette
- kitchenETTE /ˌkɪt.ʃəˈnɛt/ (kitchenette) YouGlish
- marionETTE /ˌmær.i.əˈnɛt/ (marionette) YouGlish
- barreTTE /bəˈrɛt/ (barrette) YouGlish
- gazeTTE /ɡəˈzɛt/ (gazette) YouGlish
- cass ETTE /kæˈsɛt/ (cassette) YouGlish
- silhouETTE /ˌsɪl.əˈwɛt/ (silhouette) YouGlish
Exceptions:
- OMElette /ˈɑːm.lət/ (omelette): stress on the first syllable YouGlish
Suffix -oon
- baLLOON /bəˈlun/ (balloon) YouGlish
- carTOON /kɑrˈtun/ (cartoon) YouGlish
- afterNOON /ˌæf.tərˈnun/ (afternoon) YouGlish
- raCOON /rəˈkun/ (raccoon) YouGlish
- plaTOON /pləˈtun/ (platoon) YouGlish
Suffix -que
-ATE words
In these words the stress stays on the same syllable. As a noun or adjective, the ending is a short, relaxed “-it” sound. As a verb, it’s a full “-ATE” (rhymes with “late”).
| Word | Stress | Noun/Adjective (ending “-it”) | Verb (ending “-ATE”) | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| separate | SEParate | SEP-uh-rit | SEP-uh-rayt | "Keep them separate" / "We need to separate them." |
| estimate | EStimate | ES-ti-mit | ES-ti-mayt | "That's just an estimate" / "Can you estimate the cost?" |
| appropriate | apPROpriate | uh-PRO-pree-it | uh-PRO-pree-ayt | "Is this appropriate?" / "We need to appropriate the budget." |
| moderate | MODerate | MOD-uh-rit | MOD-uh-rayt | "Moderate risk" / "We need to moderate the call." |
| alternate | ALternate | AWL-ter-nit | AWL-ter-nayt | "Alternate plan" / "We alternate every week." |
| elaborate | eLABorate | ih-LAB-uh-rit | ih-LAB-uh-rayt | "An elaborate plan" / "Can you elaborate?" |
| duplicate | DUplicate | DOO-pli-kit | DOO-pli-kayt | "Make a duplicate" / "Don't duplicate the work." |
| graduate | GRADuate | GRAD-joo-it | GRAD-joo-ayt | "She's a graduate" / "She will graduate next year." |
| associate | asSOciate | uh-SO-see-it | uh-SO-see-ayt | "My associate" / "I don't associate with them." |
| advocate | ADvocate | AD-vuh-kit | AD-vuh-kayt | "She's an advocate" / "We need to advocate for this." |
| approximate | apPROXimate | uh-PROK-si-mit | uh-PROK-si-mayt | "An approximate number" / "Can you approximate the total?" |
| deliberate | deLIBerate | dih-LIB-uh-rit | dih-LIB-uh-rayt | "A deliberate choice" / "We need to deliberate." |
Compound nouns
Two words put together into a noun (a person, place or thing) take the stress on the first element. Put the emphasis on the vowel, not the consonant.
In compound words, stress placement depends on part of speech:
Compound Nouns (stress on first element)
- FOOTball /ˈfʊt.bɔːl/ YouGlish
- NOTEbook /ˈnoʊt.bʊk/ YouGlish
- BLACKbird /ˈblæk.bɜːrd/ YouGlish
- SUNlight /ˈsʌn.laɪt/ YouGlish
- ICEcream /ˈaɪs.kriːm/ YouGlish
Compound Adjectives (stress on second element)
- old-FAshioned /ˌoʊldˈfæʃ.ənd/ YouGlish
- well-KNOWN /ˌwɛlˈnoʊn/ YouGlish
- dark-GREEN /ˌdɑːrkˈɡriːn/ YouGlish
- high-SPIRited /ˌhaɪˈspɪr.ɪ.tɪd/ YouGlish
- self-CONscious /ˌsɛlfˈkɒn.ʃəs/ YouGlish
Compound Verbs (stress on second element)
Also see: You Said Two Words. They Heard One.
Phrasal verbs and acronyms
English phrasal verbs place primary stress on the particle, but when the same word is a noun, stress shifts to the first element of the compound noun.
Phrasal Verb Stress (particle stressed)
- set OFF /sɛt ɔf/: “We’ll set off at dawn.”
- turn DOWN /tɜːrn daʊn/: “She turned down the invitation.”
- look AFTER /lʊk ˈæf.tər/: “Can you look after the kids?”
- break IN /breɪk ɪn/: “They break in the new employees.”
Verb vs. Related Noun
check in check IN (verb): “Can you check in the guest?” · YouGlish CHECK-in (noun): “The check-in is at noon.” · YouGlish set up set UP (verb): “Can you set up the call?” · YouGlish SET-up (noun): “The setup is ready.” · YouGlish break down break DOWN (verb): “The call broke down.” · YouGlish BREAK-down (noun): “We had a breakdown.” · YouGlish log in log IN (verb): “Log in to the account.” · YouGlish LOG-in (noun): “The login failed.” · YouGlish make up make UP (verb): “We can make up the time.” · YouGlish MAKE-up (noun): “The makeup is on Friday.” · YouGlish print out print OUT (verb): “Can you print out the file?” · YouGlish PRINT-out (noun): “I need the printout.” · YouGlish check out check OUT (verb): “Check out this page.” · YouGlish CHECK-out (noun): “Meet me at checkout.” · YouGlish back up back UP (verb): “Back up the file.” · YouGlish BACK-up (noun): “Where is the backup?” · YouGlish hand out hand OUT (verb): “Hand out the sheet.” · YouGlish HAND-out (noun): “Here is the handout.” · YouGlish drop off drop OFF (verb): “I’ll drop off the keys.” · YouGlish DROP-off (noun): “The drop-off is at noon.” · YouGlish take off take OFF (verb): “Take off your coat.” · YouGlish TAKE-off (noun): “Takeoff is at six.” · YouGlish take out take OUT (verb): “Can you take out the trash?” · YouGlish TAKE-out (noun): “Let’s get takeout.” · YouGlish work out work OUT (verb): “We need to work out the time.” · YouGlish WORK-out (noun): “The workout is at six.” · YouGlish sign up sign UP (verb): “Sign up for the class.” · YouGlish SIGN-up (noun): “The signup is closed.” · YouGlish pick up pick UP (verb): “I’ll pick up the keys.” · YouGlish PICK-up (noun): “The pickup is at noon.” · YouGlish follow up follow UP (verb): “I’ll follow up tomorrow.” · YouGlish FOLLOW-up (noun): “Send the follow-up.” · YouGlish start up start UP (verb): “They want to start up a company.” · YouGlish START-up (noun): “The startup is new.” · YouGlish warm up warm UP (verb): “Warm up first.” · YouGlish WARM-up (noun): “The warmup is short.” · YouGlish cut off cut OFF (verb): “They cut off the call.” · YouGlish CUT-off (noun): “What is the cutoff?” · YouGlish shut down shut DOWN (verb): “Shut down the computer.” · YouGlish SHUT-down (noun): “The shutdown was sudden.” · YouGlish lock down lock DOWN (verb): “They locked down the building.” · YouGlish LOCK-down (noun): “The lockdown ended.” · YouGlish write up write UP (verb): “Write up the notes.” · YouGlish WRITE-up (noun): “Send me the write-up.” · YouGlish call back call BACK (verb): “I’ll call back later.” · YouGlish CALL-back (noun): “I missed the callback.” · YouGlish pay off pay OFF (verb): “The plan paid off.” · YouGlish PAY-off (noun): “The payoff was clear.” · YouGlish trade off trade OFF (verb): “You have to trade off speed.” · YouGlish TRADE-off (noun): “That is the tradeoff.” · YouGlishShortened names can be read as acronyms (like words) or initialisms (letter by letter). Acronyms follow normal word-stress rules, while initialisms emphasize the final letter.
Acronyms (word stress)
- NASA /ˈnæs.ə/: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- NATO /ˈneɪ.toʊ/: North Atlantic Treaty Organization
- RADAR /ˈreɪ.dɑːr/: Radio Detection and Ranging
- SCUBA /ˈskuː.bə/: Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus
- LASER /ˈleɪ.zər/: Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation
Exception: UNESCO /juːˈnɛs.koʊ/: United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization
Initialisms (final-letter stress)
- F-B-I /ˌɛf.biːˈaɪ/: Federal Bureau of Investigation
- C-I-A /ˌsiː.aɪˈeɪ/: Central Intelligence Agency
- N-B-A /ˌɛn.biːˈeɪ/: National Basketball Association
- B-A /ˌbiːˈeɪ/: Bachelor of Arts
- B-S /ˌbiːˈɛs/: Bachelor of Science
- J-D /ˌdʒeɪˈdiː/: Juris Doctor
- P-H-D /ˌpiː.eɪtʃˈdiː/: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- M-B-A /ˌɛm.biːˈeɪ/: Master of Business Administration
- U-S-A /ˌjuː.esˈeɪ/: United States of America
Why word stress matters
In American English, word stress isn't random · it's a powerful system that signals meaning, rhythm, and clarity. Incorrect stress can confuse listeners or make your English sound unnatural. Master these patterns in longer words to speak with greater confidence and fluency.
Watch the full Live: They Ask “Where Are You From?” Because of your Word Stress
FAQ
How do I know which syllable to stress?
Most words follow patterns: two-syllable nouns stress the first syllable, verbs the second, and many suffixes tell you where the stress goes.
What makes a syllable stressed?
More volume, length, pitch and space. Opening the mouth on the stressed vowel amplifies the voice, which makes the stress obvious.
Why do record and record sound different?
Many two-syllable words change stress with their job. As a noun the first syllable is stressed (REcord), as a verb the second (reCORD).
Which suffixes put stress on the third-to-last syllable?
Words ending in -cy, -ty, -phy, -gy and -al, like democracy and ability. Big words may also have a secondary stress.
How do I say -ATE words like separate?
The stress stays on the same syllable. As a noun or adjective the ending is a short, relaxed “-it.” As a verb it is a full “-ATE.”
Where is the stress in compound nouns?
On the first element: FOOTball, NOTEbook. The emphasis goes on the vowel, not the consonant.
Want this checked in your own speech?
In an Accent Check, a 15-minute live 1:1 with Josh, he listens to you speak and finds what matters most for your accent.
Stressed vs Unstressed · Syllabic Consonants · Lesson Library
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