Word Stress | English Language for JAMB PDF Download

Exploring Stress in English

Stress in English refers to the additional emphasis and energy applied to specific syllables or words during pronunciation. This increased force results in a louder and stronger delivery, contributing to effective communication. Identifying and understanding word stress is crucial for conveying meaning accurately.

Understanding Word Stress Classification

Words in English can be classified based on the number of syllables they contain: monosyllabic, disyllabic, and polysyllabic words.

• Monosyllabic Words:
• These are simple, single-syllable words that are pronounced in one breath.
• Stress is generally placed on the only syllable in these words.
• Examples: FAT, MAKE, LIP, SPRAY.
• Disyllabic Words:
• Disyllabic words consist of two syllables.
• When the first syllable is a prefix, the stress is placed on the second syllable, while the first syllable remains unstressed.
• Examples with stress on the first syllable: MAdam, MOther, LAzy, CLEver, GOvern, CHARger.
• Examples with stress on the second syllable (prefix): conDEMN, unKNOWN, preDATE, aDDICT, unLOCK, aSLEEP.
• Prefixes, which are morphemes added before a root word or base word, are generally not stressed.
• Polysyllabic Words:
• Polysyllabic words comprise three or more syllables.
• Typically, the stress falls on the third syllable from the end of the word.
• Prefixes and suffixes in polysyllabic words are usually not stressed.

Rules for Stress in Polysyllabic Words

Understanding the rules for stress in polysyllabic words is crucial for accurate pronunciation. Here are some key guidelines to follow:

Rule 1: Stress the first syllable from the back of the word when specific inflections are present, including:

• TAIN, RADE, NOON, RUPT, SINE, XERT, ISE, PLETE, LENGE, MAIN, BIT, COME, NESE, POSE, ESE, IZE, HEND, LEAGUE, BUTE, DAY, REE, PLOYED, BEY, STAND, PLODE, STOOD, ZINE, TATE, RETE.
• Examples: enterTAIN, interRUPT, decomPOSE, introDUCE, misunderSTAND, chaLLENGE.

Rule 2: Stress the second syllable from the back of the word if it ends with the following:

• sion, tion, sure, ture, ing, Ed, ede, ege, ade, ere, ent, Ade, or, er, ICS, ic, tial, cial, ian, IOUs.
• Examples: compenSAtion, matheMAtics, converSAtion, eduCAtion, adVENture, adMIssion, adMIXture, carPENting, poliTIcian.

Rule 3: Stress the third syllable from the back of the word if it ends with:

• lly, cy, phy, ky, Dy, ty.
• Examples: satisFACtory, inforMAlity, BEtterment, fanTAStical, conSERvative, SPEctacle, MAgnitude.

Rule 4: Compound words consist of two or more words, either hyphenated or unhyphenated.

• Generally, the stress is placed on the first word.
• Exceptions include adjectives, numbers, food/menu items, and compass points, where the stress may fall on the second part of the compound word.
• Examples: GAScooker, TAPErecorder, HEADache, first-CLASS, forty-ONE, toast-BREAD, peppered-SOUP, south-WEST, north-EAST, north-WEST, south-WEST.
• Compound words may also have a special meaning, where the first word is stressed: BLACKleg, WHITEhouse, BLACKmail, BLACKberry, LAPtop.

Application and Practice

To solidify your understanding of word stress, take a moment to stress the following words and phrases. You can share your answers or ask questions in the comment box:

• communication
• communism
• roast beef
• south-south
• commercial
• education