مدونة التربية و التعليم في الجزائر – دروس، فروض، نتائج امتحانات مدونة التربية والتعليم في الجزائر | تحضير الدروس، فروض واختبارات، نتائج البكالوريا وBEM، مسابقات التوظيف، والتوجيه المدرسي للطلاب وأولياء الأمور.
English Pronunciation: Word Stress Patterns
Word stress is one of the most important aspects of English pronunciation. In English, we do not pronounce every syllable with the same force. Some syllables are stressed (said more strongly, louder, and longer), while others are unstressed. Mastering word stress will dramatically improve your speaking and listening skills for the Baccalaureate exam.
What is Word Stress?
Word stress is the emphasis placed on a particular syllable in a word. For example, in the word “PHOtograph” the stress is on the first syllable. In “phoTOgraphy” it moves to the second syllable. In “photoGRAphic” it moves to the third syllable. This shifting stress is a key feature of English.
Basic Rules of Word Stress
1. Two-Syllable Words
Nouns and Adjectives are usually stressed on the FIRST syllable: TAble, WINdow, HAPpy, CLEVer
Verbs and Prepositions are usually stressed on the SECOND syllable: beGIN, aRRIVE, beTWEEN, aBOVE
2. Words Ending in -tion, -sion, -ic, -ical
The stress is on the syllable BEFORE these endings: eduCAtion, deciSION, scienTIfic, geoGRAphical
3. Words Ending in -ty, -gy, -phy
The stress is on the THIRD syllable from the end: uNIVersity, biOLogy, phoTOgraphy
4. Compound Words
Nouns: stress on the FIRST part: GREENhouse, BEDroom, FOOTball
Adjectives: stress on the SECOND part: old-FASHioned, well-KNOWN
Common Examples for Bac Students
| Word | Stress Pattern | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| REcord (n) | First syllable | a document or file |
| reCORD (v) | Second syllable | to capture audio/video |
| CONduct (n) | First syllable | behavior |
| conDUCT (v) | Second syllable | to lead or direct |
Exercise
Mark the stressed syllable in the following words:
- PHOtograph / phoTOgraphy / photoGRAphic
- ECOnomy / eCONomy / ecoNOmic
- POLitics / poLITical / poliTICian
- DEMonstrate / demONstration / deMONstrative
For more English grammar lessons, check out our lesson on Conditional Sentences and the Passive Voice guide.