What Are The Rules for Word Stress in English?

Many students ask me about the rules for word stress in English.

I often recommend thinking about it less in terms of strict “rules” and more in terms of general “patterns” that have exceptions – as you’ll see in this lesson!

Word Stress for Two-Syllable Nouns & Adjectives:

• Most two-syllable nouns and adjectives are stressed on the first syllable:

  • TA – ble

  • DOC – tor

  • HAP – py

  • CLE – ver

  • YEL – low

• However, there are many exceptions!

  • gui – TAR

  • ho – TEL

  • bal – LOON

  • cor – RECT

  • u – NIQUE

Word Stress for Two-Syllable Verbs:

• Most two-syllable verbs are stressed on the second syllable:

  • re – LAX

  • ar – RIVE

  • be – GIN

  • ex – PLAIN

  • de – CIDE

• However, there are many exceptions!

  • AN – swer

  • STU – dy

  • O – pen

  • VIS – it

  • HAP – pen

Words Stress Patterns with Specific Suffixes

Some endings (suffixes) have predictable stress rules. Here are the most common ones:

• -tion / -sion / -cian → stress the syllable before the suffix:

  • creAtion, deciSION, muSIcian, elecTRIcian

• -ic / -ical → stress the syllable before the suffix:

  • geoGRAPHic, ecoNOMic, draMATical

• -ity / -ety → stress moves to the syllable before -ity:

  • eLECtricity, posSIbility, soCIety

• -graphy / -logy / -nomy → stress the syllable two before the ending:

  • phoTOgraphy, biOLogy, eCONomy

• -ee → stress falls directly on the suffix:

  • employEE, refuGEE, traiNEE

• -eer → stress falls directly on the suffix:

  • engiNEER, volunTEER, mountaineer

• -oon → stress falls directly on the suffix:

  • balLOON, carTOON, salOON

• -esque → stress falls directly on the suffix:

  • groTESQUE, picturESQUE

Different Word Stress Between Nouns and Verbs

Some English words change meaning depending on which syllable is stressed:

• RE – cord (noun) → I bought a new REcord.

• re – CORD (verb) → Please reCORD the meeting.

• PRE – sent (noun/adjective) → I got a PREsent for my birthday. / All members are PREsent.

• pre – SENT (verb) → She will preSENT the report tomorrow.

• CON – tract (noun) → We signed the CONtract.

• con – TRACT (verb) → Muscles conTRACT when you exercise.

• PRO – duce (noun) → The store sells fresh PROduce.

• pro – DUCE (verb) → They proDUCE cars in that factory.

• OB – ject (noun) → That OBject looks heavy.

• ob – JECT (verb) → I obJECT to your comment.

👉 In general: nouns/adjectives often stress the first syllable, while the related verbs stress the second syllable.

Quick Tips for English Learners

• Use a dictionary to check stress (look for the ˈ mark before the stressed syllable).

• Practice by listening and repeating audio of native English speakers.

• Remember: stress can change both pronunciation and meaning!

✅ Summary: Word Stress in English

• Two-syllable nouns/adjectives → usually first-syllable stress.

• Two-syllable verbs → usually second-syllable stress (with exceptions).

• Suffixes like -tion, -ic, -ity, -ee, -eer, -oon, -esque have predictable stress rules.

• Some words shift meaning with stress: REcord vs. reCORD.