Speaking: Pronunciation B1
Word Stress in Longer Words (3+ syllables)
Listen to the examples here.
Decoding Stress with Word Endings 🔑 (Click 🔊)
For longer words, the stress often follows predictable patterns based on the word's ending, called a suffix. Learning these patterns is like having a "secret code" to unlock English pronunciation. Click 🔊 to hear the examples.
- inforMAtion
- deciSIon
- ecoNOmic
- poliTIcian
- employEE
- engiNEER
- JapanESE
- PortuGUESE
- aBIlity
- phoTOgraphy
- biOlogy
- CRItical
- geOgraphy
How it Works: Unstressed Syllables & Counting
🗣️ The Schwa Sound /ə/
Why is stress important? Because in English, unstressed syllables are weak and quick. The vowel sound in these weak syllables often becomes the "schwa" sound /ə/, which sounds like a soft "uh".
- Listen to "pho-TO-gra-phy". The stressed 'O' is clear /ɒ/. The other vowels (o, a, y) are weak and sound like /ə/. (phə-TO-grə-phy)
- Listen to "in-for-MA-tion". It sounds like "in-fər-MA-shən".
Stressing the correct syllable and weakening the others is essential for natural-sounding English.
💡 How to Count Syllables from the End
To use these rules, you need to count syllables from the end of the word. Let's use a-BI-li-ty:
- The last syllable (1st from end) is -ty.
- The syllable before that (2nd from end) is -li-.
- The syllable before that (3rd from end) is -BI-.
The rule for the "-ty" suffix (Pattern 3) is to stress the syllable TWO BEFORE the suffix, which is the 3rd syllable from the end. So, the stress is on -BI-.
Practice the Patterns 🎯
Activity 1: Where's the Stress? (Self-Check)
Based on the suffix rules, identify the stressed syllable (like -MA-). Say the word aloud, then click "Show Answer" to check.
- politician
Show Answer
Rule 1 (-cian): poliTIcian
- communication
Show Answer
Rule 1 (-tion): communiCAtion
- Chinese
Show Answer
Rule 2 (-ese): ChiNESE
- geography
Show Answer
Rule 3 (-phy): geOgraphy
- practical
Show Answer
Rule 3 (-al): PRActical (Note: '-ti-' is 2nd syllable before '-al')
Note: 'Practical' follows Rule 3, counting 'cal' (1), 'ti' (2), 'Prac' (3). Stress is on the 3rd syllable from the end.
Activity 2: Read the Sentences
Practice reading these sentences aloud. Pay close attention to the stress on the long words (marked in bold). Click 🔊 to listen.
- The engiNEER gave a presenTAtion.
- The JapaNESE employEE had a great personAlity.
Key Vocabulary
- Suffix A group of letters added to the end of a word (e.g., -tion, -eer, -al) that can change its meaning or stress.
- Syllable A single unit of speech, usually with one vowel sound (e.g., 'pho-to-gra-phy' has 4 syllables).
- Information Facts or details about a subject. (Stress: inforMAtion)
- Ability The power or skill to do something. (Stress: aBIlity)
- Engineer A person who designs and builds structures or machines. (Stress: engiNEER)
- Photography The art and process of taking photographs. (Stress: phoTOgraphy)
- Economic Relating to trade, industry, and money. (Stress: ecoNOmic)
- Personality The combination of characteristics that form an individual's distinctive character. (Stress: personAlity)
Your Pronunciation Mission ⭐
This week, your mission is to be a word stress detective! 🕵️
- Listen to English news, a podcast, or a movie.
- When you hear a long word (3+ syllables), try to identify the stressed syllable.
- Write down 3-5 long words you hear. Check their suffix. Do they follow the patterns you learned in this lesson?
Example: You hear "decision". Suffix is "-sion" (Pattern 1). Stress is on 'ci'. -> deCIsion. Yes, it follows the pattern!