Phonetics Dr.

Sarra BENCHABANE
Second Year LMD G01, G02 & G03

Lecture Four: Stress Patterns: Word Stress

1-The nature of stress :

In English, when a word has more than one syllable, one of the syllables will be produced
with more force, energy, and prominence than the rest, this emphasis is called stress.
We mark a stressed syllable in transcription by placing a small vertical line ( ˈ ) high up
before the syllable, and the stress may fall on the first, second, third or fourth syllable.
1.1.Factors of stress placement:
1. Loudness: Stressed syllables seem to be louder to the listener’s ear than unstressed ones.
2. Duration or Syllable length: Stressed syllables are longer than unstressed ones and take
more time to pronounce than the vowel of the unstressed syllables, which is reduced in length.
3. Vowel quality: the stressed syllable mostly have strong vowels /e, æ, ɒ, aː, iː, ɔː, ɜː, əʊ,
aɪ,aʊ…/ , whereas the weak vowels /ə, ɪ, ʊ/ are frequently unstressed in polysyllable words.
4. Pitch of the voice: it is the most efficient factor for recognizing the prominence of stressed
syllable, in which the stressed syllable is pronounced with a higher pitch than unstressed ones.
One word cannot have two stresses. If you hear two stresses, you hear two words. It is true
that there can be a "secondary" stress in some words. But it is much smaller than the primary
(main) stress, and it is only used in long words containing more than two syllables.
- Stress in the monosyllable words (it is not marked in dictionary) E.g: Far /faː/, Post /pəʊst/
- Stress in polysyllabic words is marked with ( ˈ ). E.g: Correct /kəˈrekt/, dictionary
/ˈdɪkʃənr i/
2-Levels of stress:
1st Level: ‘the primary stress’ or (the accent) is strongest type of stress in prominence, that is,
(longer, louder, and higher in pitch). E.g: fashion /ˈfæʃn /, event / ɪˈvent /, language
/ˈlæŋgwɪdʒ/
2nd Level: ‘Secondary stress’ is weaker than the primary stress in prominence (without
pitch).
E.g : Examination / ɪgˌzæmɪˈneɪʃn / ; Photographic /ˌfəʊtəˈgræfɪk / ; Rewrite /ˌriːˈraɪt /.
3rd Level : ‘Unstressed’ or Zero stress which is the absence of stress. It can be found in the

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Dr. Sarra BENCHABANE
weak syllables /ə,ɪ,ʊ/ and syllabic consonants. E.g: Money / /, Design / /, Enter / /
The choice of stress placement in the two-syllable words is either the first syllable or the
second will be stressed according to the rules of stress placement on each one of them.
2.1.Stress on first syllable: Mostly in two-syllable nouns & adjectives the stress falls on the
first syllable. E.g: PRESent, EXport, CHIna, TAble, CAmera, SLENder,CLEVer, HAPpy.
But there are some exception such as: HeaTHROW /ˌhiːθˈrəʊ/.
2.2.Stress on last syllable: Most of two-syllable verbs receive the stress on the second
syllable; To preSENT, exPORT, deCIDE, beGIN, conCERT,conVERT,deSERT,reCORD.
2.2.1- Verbs : We look first at verbs , the basic rule is that the second syllable receives stress
if this second syllable of the verb contains a long vowel, diphthong, or if it ends with more the
one consonant – that is, consonant cluster. .
E.g : Apply / əˈplaɪ / ; Attract /əˈtrækt/ ; Arrive /əˈraɪv/ ; Perfect /pəˈfekt/ ; Begin /bɪˈgɪn/.
If the second syllable contains a short vowel and one final consonant or no one, the first
syllable is stressed. E.g: Enter /ˈentə/ ; Open /ˈəʊpən/ ; Equal /ˈiːkwəl/ ; Envy /ˈenvi/.
N.B: A final syllable is unstressed if it contains /əʊ/ (e.g: Follow/ˈfɒləʊ/, swallow /ˈswɒləʊ/)
2.2.2- Adjectives : Two-syllable simple adjectives are stressed on the first syllable. But
sometimes is stressed on the second syllable if the second syllable contains a short vowel and
one final consonant or no one. E.g: Lovely/ˈlʌvli/; Even /ˈiːvn /; Hollow /ˈhɒləʊ/; Divine
/dɪˈvaɪn/; Direct / dɪˈrekt/; Alive /əˈlaɪv/, Exact /ɪgˈzækt/, Concise /kənˈsaɪs/, Precise
/prəˈsaɪs/.
As with most of stress rules, there are some exceptions. For example: Honest/ˈɒnɪst/; Perfect
/ˈpɜːfɪkt/ or /ˈpɜːfekt/, both ends with two consonants but are stressed on the first syllable.
*Other two-syllable words such as adverbs and prepositions seem to behave like the nouns
and adjectives in most of the time.
E.g: Almost/ˈɔːlməʊst/; Obvious/ˈɒbvɪəs/; Below /bɪˈləʊ/; Alright /ɔːlˈraɪt/; Inside/ɪnˈsaɪd/.
2.2.3- Nouns : Nouns require different rules: if the second syllable contains a short vowel, the
stress will usually fall on the first syllable ; Otherwise, it will be on the second.
E.g : Money /ˈmʌni/ ; Product/ˈprɒdʌkt/ ; Jacket /ˈʤækɪt/; Balloon /bəˈluːn/ ; Design/dɪˈzaɪn/
N.B: The syllable which contains the schwa /ə/ is never stressed.
Two-syllable words with /ə/ in the 1st syllable therefore the stress on the 2nd syllable:
E.g : Ahead / əˈhed/ , Again / əˈgen/ , Oppose / əˈpəʊz/ , Suggest /səˈʤest/ ; Forget /fəˈget/ ,
Forsake / fəˈseɪk/ ; Percent/ pəˈsent/ , Perceive/ pəˈsiːv/ ; Survive/ səˈvaɪv/ , Surprise/ səˈpraɪz/
Two-syllable words with a schwa /ə/ in the 2nd syllable then the stress on the 1st syllable
E.g : Ballad /ˈbæləd/ , Alan /ˈælən/ ; Purpose / ˈpɜːpəs / ; Open /ˈəʊpən/ ; Circus /ˈsɜːkəs/ ;

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Dr. Sarra BENCHABANE
Autumn / ˈɔːtəm/ ; Standard /ˈstændəd/ ; Major /ˈmeɪʤə/ ; Eastern /ˈi:stən/ ; Creature /ˈkriːtʃə/

Three-syllable Simple Words:

1. Three-syllable simple verbs:

Rule 1: If the final syllable contains a long vowel, a diphthong or ends with more than one
consonant, the stress will fall on that syllable (the 3rd syllable or the last one).
Examples:Intervene/ / ,Introduce/ /,Entertain/ /,
Resurrect/ /
Rule 2: If the last syllable contains a short vowel and ends no more than one consonant that
syllable will be unstressed, and the stress falls on the preceding syllable (the 2nd from the
end).
Examples: Encounter / /, Acknowledge / /,
Establish / /
Activity 1: Transcribe the verbs and identify the rule governing stress placement in each one.

The verbs The Transcription The rule governing it

Abandon
Accredit
Determine
Develop
Imagine
Interrupt
2. Three-syllable simple nouns:
Rule 1: if the final syllable contains a short vowel or the diphthong / əʊ /, it will be
unstressed.If the syllable preceding the final syllable contains a long vowel, a diphthong or
more than one consonant, the central syllable will receive the stress.
Examples: Disaster / dɪ'zaːstə /, Professor /prə'fesə /, Potato / pə'teɪtəʊ /, Tomorrow /
tə'mɒrəʊ /
Rule 2: If the final syllable contains a short vowel and the central one contains a short vowel
andends with no more than one consonant, the first syllable will receive the stress.

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Examples: Cinema / 'sɪnəmə /, Quantity / 'kwɒntəti /, Character / 'kærəktə /, Synonym /
'sɪnənɪm/.
Exception: Most of the rules mentioned before show stress on the syllable containing a long
vowel, a diphthong or ending with more than one consonant. However, if the final syllable
contains a long vowel or end with more than one consonant, the stress can fall on the 1st
syllable.
Examples: Intellect / 'ɪntəlekt/, Cataract / 'kætərækt/, Yesterday /'jestədeɪ/, Substitute
/'sʌbstɪtjuːt/
3. Three-syllable simple adjectives:
Adjectives need the same rules as nouns to determine stress placement in the three-syllable
words.
Activity 2: Transcribe the following nouns or adjective then identify the rule governing stress
placement in each one
The words Category The transcription The rule governing it
Accident
Cathedral
Embargo
Innocent
Insolent
Opportune
Mimosa
Synopsis
Tobacco
Tomato
Word-class pairs:
There are many pairs of two-syllable words with identical spelling which differ from each
other in stress placement, apparently according to word class (noun, verb or adjective). The
stress will be placed on the second syllable of the verb but on the first syllable for the noun or
adjective.
Word Verb Noun/Adjective
Absent (v) / æbˈsent / (adj) /ˈæbsnt/
Abstract (v) /æbˈstrækt/ (n) /ˈæbstrækt/
Addict (v) /ǝˈdɪkt/ (n) /ˈædɪkt/
Affix (v) /ǝˈfɪks/ , /ˈæfɪks/ (n) /ˈæfɪks/

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Dr. Sarra BENCHABANE
Annex (v) /ǝˈneks/ , /ænˈeks/ (n) /ˈæneks/
August (adj) /ɔːˈgʌst/ (n) /ˈɔːgǝst /
Collect (v) /kǝˈlekt/ (n) /ˈkɒlekt/ , /ˈkɒlɪkt/
Combine (v) /kǝmˈbaɪn/ (n) /ˈkɒmbaɪn/
Commune (v) /kǝˈmjuːn/ (n) /ˈkɒmjuːn/
Compound (v) /kǝmˈpaʊnd/ (n, adj) /ˈkɒmpaʊnd /
Compact (v) /kǝmˈpækt/ (n) /ˈkɒmpækt/
Compress (v) /kǝmˈpres/ (n) /ˈkɒmpres/
Conduct (v) /kǝnˈdʌkt/ (n) /ˈkɒndʌkt/
Concert (v) /kǝnˈsɜːt/ (n) /ˈkɒnsǝt/
Confine (v) /kǝnˈfaɪn/ (n) /ˈkɒnfaɪn/
Conflict (v) /kǝnˈflɪkt/ (n) /ˈkɒnflɪkt/
Console (v) /kǝnˈsǝʊl/ (n) /ˈkɒnsǝʊl/
Consist (v) /kǝnˈsɪst/ (n) /ˈkɒnsɪst/
Contrast (v) /kǝnˈtræst/ (n) /ˈkɒntræst/
Content (v,adj) /kǝnˈtent/ (n) /ˈkɒntent/
Consort (v) /kǝnˈsɔːt/ (n) /ˈkɒnsɔːt/
Contest (v) / kǝnˈtest/ (n) /ˈkɒntest/
Contract (v) /kǝnˈtraːkt/ (n) /ˈkɒntraːkt/
Contrast (v) /kǝnˈtraːst/ (n) /ˈkɒntraːst/
Convert (v) /kǝnˈvɜːt/ (n) /ˈkɒnvɜːt/
Converse (v) /kǝnˈvɜːs/ (n) /ˈkɒnvɜːs/
Convict (v) /kǝnˈvɪkt/ (n) /ˈkɒnvɪkt/
Defect (v) /dɪˈfekt/ , /dˈfekt/ (n) /ˈdiːfekt/ , /dɪˈfekt/
Discharge (v) /dɪsˈtʃɑːdʒ/ (n) /ˈdɪstʃɑːdʒ/
Discard (v) /dɪˈskɑːd/ (n) /ˈdɪskɑːd/
Discount (v) /dɪˈskaʊnt/ (n) /ˈdɪskaʊnt/
Discourse (v) /dɪˈskɔːs/ (n) /ˈdɪskɔːs/
Desert (v) /dɪˈzɜːt/ , /dǝˈzɜːt/ (n, adj) /ˈdezǝt/
Detail (v) /ˈdiːteɪl/, /dɪˈ-, dǝˈteɪl/ (n) /ˈdiːteɪl/
Digest (v) /daɪ- ,dɪ- ,dǝˈdʒest/ (n) /ˈdaɪdʒest/
Escort (v) /ɪˈskɔːt/ (n) /ˈeskɔːt/
Export (v) /ɪkˈspɔːt/ (n) /ˈekspɔːt/
Exploit (v) /ɪkˈsplɔɪt/, /ekˈsplɔɪt/ (n) /ˈeksplɔɪt/
Extract (v) /ɪkˈstrækt/ , /ekˈstrækt/ (n) /ˈekstrækt/
Frequent (v) /frɪˈkwent/ (adj) /ˈfriːkwent/
Graduate (v) /ˈgrædʒueɪt/,/ˈgrædjueɪt / (n) /ˈgrædʒu!t/, /ˈgrædju!t/
Impact (v) /ɪmˈpækt/ (n) /ˈɪmpækt/
Impress (v) /ɪmˈpres/ (n) /ˈɪmpres/
Incline (v) /ɪnˈklaɪn/ (n) /ˈɪnklaɪn/
Increase (v) /ɪnˈkriːs/ (n) /ˈɪnkriːs/
Insert (v) /ɪnˈsɜːt/ (n) /ˈɪnsɜːt/

Distinctive Word Accentual Pattern

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Dr. Sarra BENCHABANE
 Lecture5 : Stress Placement in Complex words

Itroduction:
Up to this point, we have considered stress placement in simple words consisting of a single
stem. In the following courses, we shall examine the stress placement in complex words,
which comprises of a prefix + stem + one or more suffixes.
I- Stress assignment on prefixes:
In the words containing prefixes such as: a-, ab- , an- , co-, de-, dis- , im-, in-, re-, unthe
primary stress mostly doesn’t fall on the prefix but on one of the stem syllables.

Prefixes Examples
a- Aside /əˈsaɪd/ , Aback /əˈbæk/
ab- Abnormal /æbˈnɔːməl/, Absolve / əbˈzɒlv /
an- Anachronism /əˈnækrəənɪzm̩ /, Anomaly / əˈnɒməəli /
co- Cooperative /kəʊˈɒpr̩əətɪv/, Cohabit /kəʊˈhæbɪt/, Co-exist / /, Coordinate
de- Demotivate /diːˈməʊtɪveɪt /, Decode / diːˈkəʊd /
dis- Dislike /dɪˈslaɪk/, Disagree /dɪsəˈgriː/, Dispatch /dɪˈspatʃ/, Disable / /
im- Impossible /ɪmˈpɒsəbl̩ /, immortal / ɪˈmɔːtl̩ /, imprison / ɪmˈprɪzn̩ /, Imbalance
in- Intoxicate /ɪnˈtɒksɪkeɪt /, Invaluable /ɪnˈvæljʊbl̩ /, Incorrect / /
re- Resource /rɪˈzɔːs/, /rɪˈsɔːs/, Reorder /riːˈɔːdə/, Rearrange /riːəˈreɪndʒ/
un- Uncertain /ʌnˈsɜːtn̩/, Unfaithful /ʌnˈfeɪθfl̩ /, Unable / /
There are many exceptions in English because of the vastness of the language. Thus, stress
placement in complex words is not always predictable; however, the rules do work mostly.
E.g: Impotent / /, impulse / /, impudent / /, infinite / /,
insolent / /.

II- Stress in Suffix Words:

Unlike prefixes, it is possible for a suffix to change the original pronunciation –stress
placement- of the word stem when they are affixed. This depends on whether the suffix is
stress-neutral, stress-attracting or pre-stressed (stress shifting).
2.1. Stress-neutral suffixes: :
In some words containing stress-neutral (stress-fixing) suffixes which don’t change the

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Dr. Sarra BENCHABANE
pronunciation of the word stem and do not influence stress placement:
(-able, -age, -ance,-ence, -ant , -dom, -ed, -er, -ern, -ful,-hood, -ing, -ish (adj), -ism, -ist, -
less, -like, -ly, -man, -ment, -ness, -or, -s , -ship, -some, -wards, -wise).

Stress-fixing Examples
suffix
-able / -ible (adj) Considerable /kənˈsɪdrəəbl̩ /, Unavoidable/ʌnəəˈvɔɪdəbl̩ / ,Visible/ˈvɪzɪbl̩ /
-age (adj) Percentage /pəˈsentɪdʒ/ , Marriage /ˈmærɪdʒ/, Passage /ˈpæsɪdʒ/
-ance / -ence (n) Admittance / /, Consistence / /, Dependence / /
-ant/ -ent (n) Reluctant / rɪˈlʌktn̩t /, Commandment/ /
-dom (n) Martyrdom , Wisdom /ˈwɪzdəm/ , Kingdom /ˈkɪŋdəm/
-ern (adj) Western /ˈwestn̩/, Eastern /ˈiːstn̩/ , Northern /ˈnɔːðən/ , Southern / /
-ed (v) Adapted /əˈdæptɪd/, Reasoned /ˈriːzn̩d/ , Condemned /kənˈdemd/
-er / -ar (n) Interpreter /ɪnˈtɜːprɪtə/ , Commander /kəˈmɑːndə/ , Scholar /ˈskɒlə/
-ful (adj) Sorrowful /ˈsɒrəʊfʊl/ , Beautiful /ˈbjuːtɪfl̩ / , Merciful /ˈmɜːsɪfʊl -fəl/
-hood (n) Brotherhood/ˈbrʌðəəhʊd/,Adulthood/ˈædʌlthʊd/,Neighborhood/ˈneɪbəhʊd/
-ing (gerund) Educating /ˈedjʊkeɪtɪŋ/, Interesting/ˈɪntr̩estɪŋ/ ,Consisting /kənˈsɪstɪŋ/
-ism (n) Alcoholism /ˈælkəhɒlɪzm̩ /, Communism /ˈkɒmjʊnɪzm̩ /
-ish (adj) Childish /ˈtʃaɪldɪʃ/, Swedish /ˈswiːdɪʃ/
-ist (adj) Journalist /ˈdʒɜːnəlɪst/, Physicist /ˈfɪzɪsɪst/ , Specialist /ˈspeʃəlɪst/
-less (adj) Bottomless /ˈbɒtəmləs/, Defenseless /dɪˈfensləs/ , Penniless/ /ˈpenɪlɪs/
-like (adj) Autumn-like/ˈɔːtəmlaɪk/,Businesslike/ˈbɪznɪslaɪk/, Native-like/ˈneɪtɪvlaɪk/
-ly (adv) Carelessly /ˈkeələsli/, Apparently /əəˈpærəntli/ , Rapidly /ˈræpɪdli/
-man (n) Policeman /pəˈli:sməən/, Fireman /ˈfaɪəməən/ Businessman /ˈbɪznɪsmən/
-ment (n) Development /dɪˈveləpməənt/, Accompaniment /əəˈkʌmpənɪmənt/
-ness (n) Tenderness /ˈtendənəs/, Greatness /ˈgreɪtnəs/, Quietness /ˈkwaɪətnəs/
-or (n) Director /dɪˈ-, daɪˈrektə /, Survivor / səəˈvaɪvə/, Instructor /ɪnˈstrʌktəə/
-s (n/v) Images/ˈɪmɪdʒɪz/, Advances/əədˈvɑːnsɪz/, Forests/ˈfɒrɪsts/, Damns
/ˈdæmz/
-ship (n) Censorship/ˈsensəʃɪp/,Dictatorship/dɪkˈteɪtəʃɪp/,Sponsorship /ˈspɒnsəʃɪp/
-some (adj) Adventuresome, Quarrelsome /ˈkwɒrl̩ səm/, Venturesome /ˈventʃəsəm/
-ward(s) (adj, Backward /ˈbækwəd/, Southwards /ˈsaʊθwədz/ , Forward /ˈfɔːwəd/
adv)

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Dr. Sarra BENCHABANE
-wise (adj) Otherwise /ˈʌðəwaɪz/, Cornerwise /ˈkɔːnəwaɪz/ , Clockwise /ˈklɒkwaɪz/

Exceptions: admirable, advertisement, Catholicism, conference, difference, excellent,

ignorant, reference, preferable, resident.
2.2 Stress-carrying suffixes: the suffixes which attract the primary stress placement to
the final syllable, they are also called stress-attracting suffixes, the most common ones are:
Rule-1: English words ending in -ade, -aire, ee, eer, ese, -ette, esque, eur, ique, oo, oon;
the stress will be on the last/final syllable -ULT STRESS- or it may fall on the suffix.
Suffixes Examples for Transcription
–ade Persuade /pəˈsweɪd/, Dissuade/dɪˈsweɪd/
–aire Questionnaire /ˌkwestʃəˈneə/, Millionaire /ˌmɪljəˈneə/,
–eur Amateur/ˌæməˈt3ː/,Entrepreneur/ˌɒntrəprəˈn3ː/,Saboteur /ˌsæbəəˈt3ː/, Raconteur
–ee Absentee /ˌæbsənˈtiː/, Interviewee /ˌɪntəvjuːˈiː/, Referee, Employee / /
–eer Engineer/ˌenʤɪˈnɪə/, Volunteer /ˌvɒlənˈtɪə/, Pioneer.
–ese Vietnamese /ˌvɪetnəˈmiːz/ , Portuguese /ˌpɔːtjʊˈgiːz, -tʃʊ-/
–ette Silhouette /ˌsɪluˈet/, Marionette /ˌmarɪəˈnet/, Launderette /lɔːnˈdret/
–esque Romanesque/ˌrəʊməˈnesk/,Picturesque/ˌpɪktʃəˈresk/,Arabesqueˌærəˈbesk/
–ique Critique /krɪˈtiːk/, Technique /tekˈniːk/, Unique /juːˈniːk/
–oo Kangaroo /ˌkæŋgəˈruː/, Shampoo /ʃæmˈpuː/ , Waterloo /ˌwɔːtətˈluː/
–oon Waterloo /ˌwɔːtətˈluː/ Typhoon /taɪˈfuːn/ , Balloon /bəˈluːn/

Exceptions: Igloo /ˈɪgluː/, Cuckoo /ˈkʊkuː/, Decade /ˈdekeɪd/, Comrade /ˈkɒmreɪd/,

Coffee /ˈkɒfi/, Committee /kəˈmɪti/
2.3. Stress-shifting suffixes: the affixation of the suffix causes a change of the primary stress
from one syllable of the stem to another one, but the stress remains in the stem, it often moves
immediately to the syllable before the suffix or the one before it. So the stress falls on one of
the stem syllables before the suffix added to the stem.
2.3.1. Stress-shifting suffixes causing PENULT STRESS:

Rule-2: English words ending in –ic, –sion, and –tion; the stress will be on the second
syllable from the end –PENULT STRESS– so on the syllable just before the suffix.

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Dr. Sarra BENCHABANE
Suffix-ending Examples for Transcription
–ic Athletic /æθˈletɪk/, Economic /ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk/ , Graphic/ˈgræfɪk/, Geographic
/ˌʤiəˈgæfɪk/, Philosophic/ˌfɪləˈsɒfɪk/, Psychologic /ˌsaɪkəˈlɒʤɪk/,
Specific/spəˈsɪfɪk/, Scientific /ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk/, Syntactic /sɪnˈtæktɪk/,
Semiotics/ˌsemiˈɒtɪks/ , Theoretic /θɪəˈretɪk/, Linguistics /lɪŋˈgwɪstɪks/,
Semantics/sɪˈmæntɪks/, Phonetics /fəˈnetɪks/.
–sion Television / telɪˈvɪʒṇ/, Revision /rɪˈvɪʒṇ/, Elision /ɪˈlɪʒṇ/, Erosion / ɪˈrəʊʒṇ/
–tion Relation /rɪˈleɪʃṇ/, Association /əˌsəʊsɪˈeɪʃṇ/, participation /pɑːˌtɪsɪˈpeɪʃṇ/

Most common exceptions: Arabic/ˈærəbɪk/, Arithmetic/əˈrɪθmətɪk/, Arsenic/ˈɑːsənɪk/,

Heretic /ˈherɪtɪk/, Catholic /ˈkæθəlɪk/, Lunatic /ˈluːnətɪk/, Politic/ˈpɒlɪtɪk/, Rhetoric /ˈretərɪk/.

2.3.2. Stress on the 2nd from the end: Penult Stress

The ‘’ LION’’ rule, English words ending in letter i , letter e or letter u followed by any
number of vowels ( V n°) , optionally followed by any number of consonants (C n°) and
optionally by silent letter e , stress the will be on the penult syllable; 2nd syllable from the
end.

Suffixes beginning with: letter i+ V n° + (C n°) + (Silent e)

–ion Generation /ˌdʒenəˈreɪʃṇ/ , Investigation Constitution /ˌkɒnstɪˈtjuːʃṇ/
–ia Columbia /kəˈlʌmbɪə/ , Media /ˈmiːdɪə/ Cafeteria /ˌkæfəˈtɪərɪə/
–ial I ndustrial /ɪnˈdʌstrɪəl/, Serial /ˈsɪə-,ˈsɪriəl/ Residential /ˌrezɪˈdenʃəl/
–ian Historian/hɪˈstɔːrɪən/,Algerian/ælˈdʒɪərɪən/ Librarian /laɪˈbreərɪən/
–iance Luxuriance /lʌgˈʒʊərɪəns/ Insouciance /ɪnˈsuːsɪəns/
–iar Familiar /fəˈmɪlɪə/ Peculiar/pɪˈkjuːlɪə/
–ience Experience /ɪkˈspɪərɪəns/ Impatience /ˈɪmpeɪʃəns/
–ient Proficient /prəˈfɪʃənt/, ancient /ˈeɪnʃənt/ Sufficient //səˈfɪʃənt/
–ious Ambitious /æmˈbɪʃəs/ , cautious /ˈkɔːʃəs/ Superstitious /ˌsuːpəˈstɪʃəs/
–ior Inferior /ɪnˈfɪərɪə/ ,Senior /ˈsiːnɪə/ Superior/suːˈpɪərɪə,/sjuːˈpɪərɪə/
–iom / –iot Idiom /ˈɪdɪəm/ Idiot/ˈɪdɪət/
–ium Gymnasium /dʒɪmˈneɪzɪəm/ ; Museum/mjuːˈziːəm/,Medium
Aluminium/ˌælʊˈmɪnɪəm/ , Aquarium /ˈmiːdɪəm/,Uranium/jʊˈreɪnɪəm/
/əˈkweərɪəm/

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Dr. Sarra BENCHABANE
 Suffixes beginning with: letter e+ V n° + (C n°) + (Silent e)
–ea Area /ˈeərɪə/ Guinea /ˈgɪni/
–eal Cereal /ˈsɪərɪəl/, Lineal /ˈlɪnɪəl/ Laryngeal /ləˈrɪndʒɪəl/
–ear Linear /ˈlɪnɪə (r)/
–ean Mediterranean /ˌmedɪtəˈreɪnɪən/ Chilean /ˈtʃɪlɪən/; European
/ˌjʊərəˈpiːən/;
Korean /kəˈriːən/.
–eous Courageous /kəˈreɪdʒəs/ Simultaneous /ˌsɪməlˈteɪnɪəs/

Common Exceptions: Idea /aɪˈdɪəə/; Ideal /aɪˈdɪəəl/; ordeal /ɔːˈdiːl/.

Suffixes beginning with: letter u+ V n° + (C n°) + (Silent e)
–ual Habitual /həˈbɪtʃuəl/ Perpetual /pəˈpetʃuəl/
–uar Jaguar /ˈdʒægjʊə(r)/
–uous Superfluous /suːˈpɜːfluəs/ Ambiguous /æmˈbɪgjuəs/

2.3.3. The verbal suffix –ish: Penult stress .

This is a stress-shifting suffix found only in verbs (we can find the suffix –ish with adjective,
but it is a neutral suffix like in: Child – Childish /ˈtʃaɪldɪʃ/ )
Rule: English verbs ending in –ish carry the stress on the penult syllable, before this
suffix.
E.g: Banish /ˈbænɪʃ/, Nourish /ˈnʌrɪʃ/, Polish /ˈpɒlɪʃ/, Cherish /ˈtʃerɪʃ/, Publish /ˈpʌblɪʃ/.
Abolish /əˈbɒlɪʃ/, Distinguish /dɪˈstɪŋgwɪʃ/,Demolish /dɪˈmɒlɪʃ/, Establish/ɪˈstæblɪʃ/, Fetish
/ˈfetɪʃ/
Exception: The only one exception to this rule is the verb ‘impoverish’ /ɪmˈpɒvərɪʃ/ which is
stress on the 3rd syllable instead of the 2nd one from the end.
2.4. Stress on the ante-penultimate syllable: (ante-penultimate = third from the end)
Rule 3: English words ending in –acy, –al, –ity, –ety , –itude and ending in –try; the
stress will be on the third syllable from the end –ANTEPENULT STRESS–
Examples:
–acy Aristocracy, democracy / dɪˈmɒk.rə.si /, Pharmacy, Prophecy / ˈprɒfəsi/ ,
Supremacy / suːˈpreməsi/
–al Critical /ˈkrɪtɪkəl/, Geological /ˌdʒiəˈlɒdʒɪkəl/, Environmental, Political
–ity, –ety Ambiguity, Creativity, Humanity, credibility /ˌkredɪˈbɪlɪti/, dependability
/dɪpendɪˈbɪlɪti/, necessity /nəˈsesɪti/, Opportunity, purity, Reality,
University /ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsɪti/, society, propriety, variety

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Dr. Sarra BENCHABANE
–itude Attitude/ / , Aptitude/ / , Gratitude, Latitude, Magnitude.
–try Geometry/ /, Infantry/ /, Poetry/ /, Peasantry/ /

2.4.2. Stress on the ante-penultimate syllable: (ante-penultimate = 3rd from the end)

Rule 4: English words ending in –graphy, –logy, and –meter, will receive the primary
stress on the antepenultimate syllable ( 3rd syllable from the end).
Examples:
–graphy Bibliography /ˌbɪblɪˈɒgrəfi/, Demography /dɪˈmɒg.rə.fi/, Geology
/ʤɪˈɒləʤi/, Geography /dʒɪˈɒgrəfi/, Orthography /ɔːˈθɒgrəfi/, Photography
/fəˈtɒg.rə.fi/, Xerography /zɪəˈrɒgrəfi/
–logy Apology / /, Archeology / /,
Anthology / /,Geology /ʤɪˈɒləʤi/, Methodology / /
Psychology /saɪˈkɒlədʒi/, Phonology /fəʊˈnɒlədʒi/,Sociology /səʊʃiˈɒlədʒi,
si-/
–meter Barometer / /, Parameter / /, Thermomete

2.4.3. Verbal endings causing Antepenult stress: (3rd from the end)

Rule 5: English verbs of three syllable or more ending in –ate, –ize (ise) or –fy, will have
the primary stress on the antepenultimate syllable ( 3rd from the end).
Examples:
–ate Calculate, Discriminate /dɪˈskrɪmɪneɪt/, Evaluate /ɪˈvæljueɪt/,
Generate, Hibernate, Investigate /ɪnˈvestɪgeɪt/,Legitimate /ləˈdʒɪtɪmeɪt/,
Participate /pɑːˈtɪsɪpeɪt/, separate /ˈsepəreɪt/.
–ize (ise) Analyse /ˈænəlaɪz/, Civilize, Democratize, organize, Paralyse /ˈpærəlaɪz/,
publicise, utilise /ˈjuːtɪlaɪz/
–fy Clarify, dignify, identify /aɪˈdentɪfaɪ/, electrify, exemplify, nullify /ˈnʌlɪfaɪ/
purify, qualify /ˈkwɒlɪfaɪ/, signify, simplify, solidify

Practice on Stress Placement in Compound and Words

Most compound words have two stresses: primary and secondary. Depending on how
compounds function in the sentence, the following stress patterns are found.

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Dr. Sarra BENCHABANE
 Compound General rule Primary stress on wristwatch /ˈrɪstˌwɒtʃ/
the first element,
Nouns swimming /ˈswɪmɪŋ ˌpuːl/
secondary stress
pool
on the second
element goldfish /ˈɡəʊldˌfɪʃ/
If the first Primary stress on apple pie /ˌæpl ˈpaɪ/
element is an the second
strawberry /ˌstrɔːbri
ingredient of element,
milkshake ˈmɪlkʃeɪk/
the second secondary stress
element on chicken /ˌtʃɪkɪn ˈbuːjɒn/
the first element bouillon
beef stew /ˌbiːf ˈstjuː/
Except Primary stress on chocolate /ˈtʃɒklət ˌkeɪk/
compounds the first element, cake
ending in secondary stress
lemon juice /ˈlemən ˌdʒuːs/
cake, juice or on the second
water element rosewater /ˈrəʊz ˌwɔːtə/
Compound General rule Primary stress on blue-eyed /ˌbluː ˈaɪd/
the second
Adjectives open-minded /ˌəʊpən
element,secondary
ˈmaɪndɪd/
stress on the first
element kindhearted /ˌkaɪnd ˈhɑːtɪd/
If the first Primary stress on homesick /ˈhəʊm ˌsɪk/
element is a the first element,
noun secondary stress handmade /ˈhænd ˌmeɪd/
on the second
element
Compound Primary stress on overboil /ˌəʊvə ˈbɔɪl/
the second
Verbs underestimate /ˌʌndəˈrestɪmeɪt/
element,
secondary stress
on the first outrun /ˌaʊtˈrʌn/
element

Stress in Word Class Pairs

There are words with identical spelling that represent different parts of speech. These words
are differentiated by means of shifting of the stress. A small group of words for which the
noun is differentiated from a verb by stress without a change in sound quality, e.g.:
increase /ˈɪnkriːs /, Noun, whereas increase /ɪnˈkriːs/, Verb
insult /ˈɪnsʌlt/, Noun, whereas insult /ɪnˈsʌlt /, Verb
impress /ˈɪmpres/, Noun, whereas or impress /ɪmˈpres/, Verb

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Dr. Sarra BENCHABANE
Next follows another group of words for which the shifting of the stress may or
may not be accompanied by a change in the quality of the vowel in the unstressed syllable of
the verbs, e.g.:
transport /ˈtrænspɔːt/, Noun, whereas transport /trænˈspɔːt/ or /trənˈspɔːt/, Verb
torment /ˈtɔːment/, Noun, whereas torment /tɔːˈment/ or /təˈment/, Verb
Finally, there is a large group of words for which the shifting of the stress is accompanied by
a change in the quality of the unstressed vowel, e.g.:
combine /ˈkɒmbaɪn/, Noun, whereas combine /kəmˈbaɪn/, Verb
conduct /ˈkɒndʌkt/, Noun, whereas conduct /kənˈdʌkt/, Verb
contrast /ˈkɒntrɑːst/, Noun, whereas contrast /kənˈtrɑːst/, Verb
There are also quite a few nouns that can form compounds but that can also be used like
adjectives to make phrases with other nouns. When they constitute a compound, the main
stress is placed on the first element. If they function as a phrase, the second element acquires
the main stress (see Carr 2013: 86). Consider the following examples:
a blackboard /ˈblækbɔːd/ as a compound noun;
a black board /ˌblæk ˈbɔːd/ as an adjective and noun.

Stress Shift

When the change in stress placement is caused by the context, this is known as stress shift
(Roach, 2009a). When a polysyllabic word with a stress placed at the end of it is followed by
another word with the stress placed in the beginning of it, there is a tendency for the stress in
the first word to shift towards the beginning, especially if it has a syllable that is capable of
receiving stress, e.g.:
Japanese /ˌdʒæpəˈniːz/, but a Japanese student /ˈdʒæpəˌniːz ˈstjuːdnt/

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