SYLLABLES
and STRESS
Words with two or
more syllables have one syllable that is stressed—the vowels in the syllable are
louder and longer than in the other syllables and the pitch is higher.
Correct syllable
stress is very important in speaking American English. Misplaced stress can make a word
unrecognizable, even though all of the sounds are pronounced correctly. Say "se-CRE-ta-ry" instead of
"SE-cre-ta-ry" and you will notice how different the word sounds when
the stress is changed.
These words are
frequently mispronounced because the syllable stress is in a different place
than you would think. Which syllable is
louder and longer in these words?
de-VEL-op-ment
HAM-bur-gers
IN-du-stry
a-RITH-me-tic
six-TEEN
con-TRI-bute
ad-ver-TISE-ment