Word stress and intonation

In English, one syllable of every longer word is stressed: louder, longer and higher (⟦PHOtograph⟧, ⟦phoTOgrapher⟧). In sentences, the voice rises and falls: this is intonation. Getting stress and intonation right makes your English easier to understand.

Key facts

  • Many two-syllable nouns and adjectives are stressed on the first syllable (⟦TEAcher⟧, ⟦HAppy⟧); many two-syllable verbs on the second (⟦beGIN⟧, ⟦deCIDE⟧).
  • Some words change stress when they change class: a ⟦REcord⟧ (noun), to ⟦reCORD⟧ (verb); a ⟦PREsent⟧, to ⟦preSENT⟧.
  • Endings move the stress: ⟦PHOtograph⟧, ⟦phoTOgrapher⟧, ⟦photoGRAphic⟧. Words ending in ⟦-tion⟧ are stressed just before it: ⟦inforMAtion⟧, ⟦eduCAtion⟧.
  • In a sentence, we stress the important words (nouns, main verbs, adjectives) and say small words like ⟦a⟧, ⟦the⟧ and ⟦to⟧ quickly: ⟦I WENT to the SHOP to buy BREAD.⟧
  • Intonation: the voice usually goes up at the end of a yes/no question (⟦Are you coming?⟧ ↗) and down at the end of a statement or a question with ⟦what⟧, ⟦where⟧, ⟦why⟧, ⟦how⟧ (⟦Where do you live?⟧ ↘).

Worked examples

Example 1

Which syllable is stressed? ⟦computer⟧

  1. Try each syllable louder: ⟦COMputer⟧, ⟦comPUter⟧, ⟦compuTER⟧.
  2. Only ⟦comPUter⟧ sounds right.

Answer: ⟦pu⟧ (⟦comPUter⟧)

Example 2

Noun or verb? ⟦Please record the match for me.⟧

  1. Here ⟦record⟧ is a verb (an action).
  2. Verbs like this are stressed on the second syllable: ⟦reCORD⟧.

Answer: ⟦reCORD⟧

Example 3

Up or down at the end? ⟦Do you like pizza?⟧

  1. It is a yes/no question.
  2. The voice goes up at the end.

Answer: up