Suffix Based Patterns for Syllable Stress in Spoken English
As I’ve discussed in my last three columns, using the wrong syllable stress patterns when you speak English creates an accent that is very difficult for native speakers to understand.
I find that although many people understand this concept, they don’t know always know which syllable to stress. Here are some patterns you can use to determine stress placement.
One type of pattern that we use to predict which syllables receive stress are suffix-based patterns. The stressed syllables in each word are bolded.
In words that end with the suffixes; graphy, tion, ity, & ogy stress the syllable just before the suffix.
photography
geography
education
validation
curiosity
mobility
technology
biology
Words that end with the suffix ate have a different patterns. In these words the stress falls two syllables before the suffix.
graduate
appreciate
evaluate
communicate
exaggerate
educate
That means that the content words in the sentence below are stressed differently.
In order to facilitate clear oral communication in English, it is vital that you learn communicate using the correct syllable stress.
Using English syllable stress correctly enables native English speakers to understand what you are saying without struggle or confusion. If you apply the presented here you will be able to improve the rhythm and compensability of your speech.
Be sure to check back next week when I will discuss the topic of spoken English and phonetics.
Susan Ryan is an American English pronunciation teacher and accent reduction coach. She currently lives in South Florida. Read more articles by Susan at http://www.confidentvoice.com/blog/
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