Author: Mary Gillespie
Article to help English Speaking and English Pronunciation by PronouncePro American English Pronunciation Writing Staff.
Word stress is important in English pronunciation, and in some cases can signal a difference in meaning or word category between two words with the same spelling.
Here is a list of some common words that change from nouns to verbs with a shift in the word stress:
| NOUNS stress on the first syllable | VERBS stress on the second syllable |
| CON-flict | con-FLICT |
| COM-bat | com-BAT |
| PRO-duce | pro-DUCE |
| PER-mit | per-MIT |
| OVER-run | over-RUN |
| COM-press | com-PRESS |
| SUS-pect | sus-PECT |
| CON-vict | con-VICT |
| CON-sult | con-SULT |
| EX-ploit | ex-PLOIT |
| SUB-ject | sub-JECT |
Sometimes, when this stress shift occurs, there is a significant difference in meaning between the two words. For example, EX-ploit means adventure, and ex-PLOIT means to take advantage of a person or situation.
Next time you listen to the news in English, try to listen for some of these words. See if you can distinguish which stress pattern you are hearing. American English Pronunciation improvement need not be difficult. Practicing word stress is an efficient way to quickly improve your pronunciation.
About Author: Mary Gillespie, ESL Teacher and Owner of the Online ESL Tutoring Service, www.AtHomewithEnglish.com.
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