What is Word Stress?

Definition

Word stress is the emphasis placed on certain syllables in a word. The Syllables that are stressed tend to be louder and longer, while the unstressed syllables are shorter and softer. Each word in English is not pronounced with the same amount of force or vigor. We emphasize just one syllable every word. We pronounce one syllable (large, strong, important) quite loudly and all the other syllables very softly.

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Type

There are three types of word stress: primary, secondary, and tertiary.

• Primary stress is the strongest form of stress and is placed on the first syllable of a word. For example, the word "record" is stressed on the first syllable: RE-cord.
• Secondary stress is not as strong as primary stress, but is still noticeable. It is placed on the second syllable of a word. For example, the word "present" is stressed on the second syllable: pre-SENT.
• Tertiary stress is the weakest form of stress and is placed on the third syllable of a word. For example, the word "photograph" is stressed on the third syllable: pho-TO-graph.

There are many factors that can influence where the stress falls in a word. For example, the addition of suffixes or prefixes can change the position of the stress.

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Examples of Word Stress

Here are some examples of words with different stresses:

PRIMARY STRESS: RE-cord, con-TRACT, ob-JECT

SECONDARY STRESS: pre-SENT, com-MIT, per-MIT

TERTIARY STRESS: pho-TO-graph, bus-I-ness, in-FANT

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Conclusion

Stressed syllables are longer or uttered with a higher or lower pitch than the others, which causes the air to be expelled from our lungs with more force. Unstressed syllables are those that are not pronounced with the same intensity as the others; they are typically not pronounced as clearly.

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