placement of stress within the word (rules)

Rulers for two syllable words

- The basic rule is that if the second syllable of the verb contains a long vowel or
diphthong, or if ends with more than one consonant, the second syllable is stressed.
For example the word apply.

- If the final syllable contains a short vowel and (or no) final consonant, the first
syllable is stressed. Like in enter

A final syllable is unstressed if it contains

Two syllable simple adjectives are stressed according to the same rules .
Nouns: if the second syllable contains a short vowel the stressed will usually come on the
first syllable.
As with most stress rules, there are some exceptions like : honest, perfect. Both of which
end with two consonants but are stressed on the first syllable.
Rulers for three syllable words

- If the last syllable contains a short vowel and ends with not more than one
consonant, the syllable stressed will be the penultimate syllable. Like in determine.

- If the final syllable contains a long vowel or diphthong, or ends with more than
one consonant, the final syllable will be stressed. Like in the word entertain.

- If the final syllable contains a short vowel and the middle syllable contains a short
vowel and ends with not more than one consonant, the first syllable will be stressed.
For example in the word quantity.

- If the final syllable contains a long vowel or diphthong and/or ending with more
than one consonant, the stress will usually be placed on the first syllable. Like in the
word intellect.

Adjectives seem to need the same rule.

Nouns : if the final syllable contains a short vowel or , its unstressed; if the syllable
preceding this final syllable contains a long vowel or diphthong, or if it ends with more than
one consonant, the middle syllable will be stressed. For example in the word potato.

SIMPLE WORD
STRESS

1. TWO
SYLLABLE
WORD
1.1 Two-syllable verbs

Charateristic

a. 2nd syllable contains short

vowel AND ends no more than
one consonant
b. 2nd syllable contains long
vowel/a dipthong/ ends one more
than one consonant.
c. 2nd syllable contains /ou/

Stressed
on

exemple

1st
syllable

+ worry.
Open.enter..

2nd
syllable

+succeed, provide,
protest

1st
syllable

+ follow, borrow