Word stress - rules

The rules for word stress

1; Stress on first syllable

Most two-syllable nouns and adjectives have stress on the first syllable.

2. Stress on last syllable

Most two-syllable verbs have stress on the last syllable.

3.Stress on penultimate syllable (second from the end):

Words ending in ‘ic’ , ‘tion’, and ‘sion ‘ial ‘ian ty

4. Stress on ante-penultimate syllable (third from the end):

Words ending in ‘cy’, ‘phy’; ‘gy’   ty ..al   democracy  philosophy   responsibility sustainability  generosity  geology   photography  CRItical, geoLOGical

5. Compound words (words with two parts)

If the compound is a noun, the stress goes on the first part : e;G;, greenhouse ,

blackbird.

If the compound is an adjective, the stress goes on the second part; e.g., bad-

tempered, old-fashioned

If the compound is a verb , the stress goes on the second part, e.g., understand,

overlook.