English Tip · 10 — Word Stress — English Rhythm in Three Rules

English is stress-timed: stressed syllables carry meaning; unstressed ones blur. Getting stress wrong changes how you are understood.

Examples

• REcord (noun) vs reCORD (verb)
• Words ending ‑tion / ‑sion / ‑cian: stress the syllable before the ending
• proNUNciAtion (stress on 4th syllable)

Practice

Choose ten words you use often. Mark the stress. Say each one aloud — exaggerate the stressed syllable. Then listen to a native speaker. Match?

Takeaway: Wrong stress does more damage than wrong grammar in spoken English.

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