Stress

Stress
• It is the importance or prominence given to a
syllable or word.
• It makes the syllable stand out above the
adjacent syllables or words
• It is also known as accent.

• It depends on one’s intentions thereby giving a

variety to sentences.
 Rules on Stress

1. Identical words (heteronyms) be used

both as noun or verb, a noun is stressed
in the first syllable while a verb is
stressed on the second syllable.
 Examples
Noun Verb

contract contract
discount discount
present present
accent accent
content content
 Rules on Stress
2. Words ending in suffixes like tion, sion, ic,
and ity are accented on the syllable
preceding them.
lubricate-lubrication economic-economical
biology-biological educate- education
alphabet- alphabetic final-finality
charisma-charismatic confess- confession
able-ability logic-logical
 Rules on Stress
3. Compound nouns are stressed on the first
component or word.

landlord handbag
notebook hairpin
make-up classroom
railroad tree house
ballpen
 Rules on Stress
4. Compound verbs are stressed on the
second component.

get in take off take in

come over come across shut up
call up go over pass over
get along give up put off
 Two-syllable words with primary stress on the
first syllable

cleric monarch
pageant chamber
fragile colic
beacon rabies
meagerrampage
fetus ancient
migrainechaplain
catholic
 Two-syllable words with primary stress on the
second syllable

disguise sauté
obtuse disgust
ordeal frappe
campaign fillet
fatigue chalet
petite
Three-syllable words with primary stress on the
first syllable

hierarchy ravenous fortunate

baptism indigo general
merchandise increment video
molecule incubate popular
ecstasyArabic rational
stunningly beautiful character
physical hamburger mystery
Three-syllable words with primary stress on the
second syllable

procedure decided example

nocturnalmechanic directly
equipment leukemia important
flamboyant consensus consider
platonic connivance completely
endurance amnesia advantage
pneumonia agenda nutrition
Three-syllable words with primary stress on the
last syllable

recommend afternoon understand

kangaroo arabesque fifty-one
guarantee mayonnaisevolunteer
referee engineer kitchenette
personnel correspond pioneer
everyday cigarette picturesque
Japanese disagree
INTONATION
 The Four Pitch levels
1. Level 1, Low - It is indicated by a line far below
the syllable. It is used at the end of the sentence
to indicate finality.
2. Level 2, Normal- It is indicated by a line below
the syllable. It is used with unstressed words and
syllables.
3. Level 3, High- It is indicated by a line above the
syllable. It is generally used for stressed syllables.
4. Level 4, Very High- It is indicated by a line high
above the syllable.
 Patterns
4 Very High
3 High
2 Normal 2 Normal
1 Low 1 Low
 Intonation Patterns
1. The 2-3-1 Pattern or Rising-Falling
Intonation
Uses:
2. Statements
3. Commands
4. Requests
5. Wh-questions
 Examples
Statements

That calculator looks expensive.

Classics are timeless and universal.
The cop refused to accept the bribe.
The supervisor doesn’t get along his men.
 Examples
Commands

Listen to me.
Get out of my sight.
Call her up.
Don’t bother me.
 Examples
Requests

Kindly get it.

Please carry this for me.
Kindly refrain from smoking.
Please join the discussion.
Please submit this today.
 Examples
Wh- questions

Who is the director of the movie?

What is the baby’s weight?
Why can’t you wait?
How do you manage your time?
 Intonation Patterns
2. The 2-3 or 2-3-3 Pattern or Rising Intonation
Uses:
1. Yes- No questions
Examples:
Are all babies immunized?
Do the mothers breastfeed their babies?
Does the company pay well?
Will technology solve food shortage?
Were the pregnant women oriented?