Key Concepts Recap
- Primary Stress: The syllable with the strongest emphasis in a word.
- Example: phoTOgraph
- Secondary Stress: A lighter stress, still noticeable.
- Example: phoTOgraphy (secondary on pho, primary on TO)
- Unstressed Syllables: The rest of the syllables, pronounced more softly.
In contrast, Spanish usually has one main stress per word, making English stress patterns more complex for native Spanish speakers.
Examples of Correct vs. Incorrect Stress
| Word | Incorrect Stress (Typical Mistake) | Correct Stress | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| photograph | PHOtograph | phoTOgraph | Primary stress is on the second syllable, not the first. |
| photography | phoTOgraphy | phoTOGraphy | Primary stress shifts to the third syllable; first syllable has secondary stress. |
| economy | Economy | eCONomy | Stress is on the second syllable, not the first. |
| academic | Academic | acaDEMic | Stress is on the third syllable. |
| banana | BAnana | baNAna | Stress is on the second syllable. |
| university | University | uniVERsity | Stress is on the third syllable. |
| computer | COMputer | comPUter | Stress is on the second syllable. |
| television | TElevision | TELevision | Stress is on the first syllable. |
Practice:
