Rules for Syllable Stress / Word Stress L2 - Improve Your English Pronunciation | English Lesson

Summary

In this informative lesson on syllable stress, Ceema explains the importance of correctly stressing syllables in English pronunciation. She outlines specific suffixes where stress is placed on the syllable immediately before them, such as -able and -ian, along with exceptions where the suffix itself is stressed. Additionally, she introduces the rule of stressing the third last syllable for certain suffixes like -cy and -ty. Through practical examples and clear explanations, Ceema encourages learners to practice regularly to improve their pronunciation and sound more like native speakers.

Takeaways

• 😀 A syllable is a part of a word, and words can have multiple syllables.
• 🤔 To count syllables, place your hand under your chin and count how many times it drops while pronouncing the word.
• 🔍 Stress the syllable right before certain suffixes like -able, -ial, and -ian for correct pronunciation.
• 💡 Examples of stress before the suffix: 'durable' (dur-a-ble) and 'financial' (fi-nan-cial).
• 🔄 For words ending with suffixes like -ade, -ese, and -ette, stress the suffix itself instead.
• 🔔 Examples of stress on the suffix include 'lemonade' and 'Japanese'.
• 📏 If a word ends with -cy, -phy, -gy, -al, or -ty, stress the third last syllable.
• 🔠 Examples for third last syllable stress: 'democracy' (de-moc-ra-cy) and 'geography' (ge-og-ra-phy).
• ✍️ Continuous practice is essential to improve pronunciation and achieve native-like speech.
• 📚 Following the outlined rules will help learners master syllable stress in English effectively.

Q & A

What is a syllable?

A syllable is a part of a word. Words can have one or more syllables.

How can you determine the number of syllables in a word?

You can determine the number of syllables by placing your hand under your chin and counting how many times your chin drops as you say the word.

What is syllable stress?

Syllable stress refers to the emphasis placed on a particular syllable within a word, which is crucial for correct pronunciation.

Which suffixes require you to stress the syllable before them?

Suffixes like -able, -ial, -ian, and -ery require you to stress the syllable right before them.

Can you provide examples of words that follow the syllable stress rule for the suffix -able?

Yes, for the suffix -able, examples include 'durable' (du-ra-ble) where the stress is on 'du,' and 'terrible' (ter-ri-ble) where the stress is on 'ter.'

What suffixes require you to stress the suffix itself?

Suffixes like -ade, -ee, -ese, -ette, and -ique require you to stress the suffix itself.

What is the rule for words ending with -cy, -phy, -gy, -al, and -ty?

For these suffixes, you should stress the third last syllable of the word.

Why is proper syllable stress important for non-native speakers?

Proper syllable stress is important for non-native speakers as it enhances clarity and understanding in pronunciation.

What is a common mistake people make when pronouncing 'musician'?

A common mistake is pronouncing it as 'musician' instead of the correct pronunciation 'mu-si-cian,' with the stress on 'si.'

How can someone improve their pronunciation based on the lessons provided?

To improve pronunciation, one should follow the outlined rules and practice regularly, as consistent practice leads to better pronunciation.