Starlene Dahl
ESL Pronunciation
Word Stress Patterns
1. Except for verbs, two-syllable words are usually stressed on the
first syllable.
open student winter
2. For words that end in -tion, -sion, or -cian, the stressed syllable comes just before
the -tion, -sion, or -cian ending.
solution correction proffession physician
3. For words that end in ic, the stressed syllable comes just before the -ic ending.
Atlantic domestic statistic
4. For words that end in -ical, the stressed syllable comes iust before the -ical ending.
economical comical political
5. When a two-syllable word can be used as a noun or a verb, the verb form is usually
stressed on the second syllable.
export progress reject
6. Some verbs are made up of two words. These two-word verbs are commonly
stressed on the second syllable.
hold
up
look
out
turn off
7. Often two nouns are combined to make a new word called a compound noun.
Compound nouns are pronounced as a single word, with the stress on the first
part.
post office hot dog passport bathroom
Please note that compound nouns can be written as one or two words, so you
need to use your dictionary.
Starlene Dahl
ESL Pronunciation
Please choose the eorrect word or expressions on the other page to complete the
following sentences. You may need to make small changes, in order to use
corect grammar and tenses!!!!!!
1. At
2.
first I didn't understand what the teacher was explaining, but now
I
friend is moving to another apartment this vueekend. Since I have a truck she
asked me to
tr4y
3. Gee, this exam is difficult, I hope !don't
too badly.
4. There will be food at the party, but the invitation says
5. lcan have lunch with you, after
_--:-_
my son at soccer practice.
I
ea.ri (lome
6. He,v, do you think
io tire pa_rt-y this weekend.
7. l'm not sure what are plans are yet, we'll have to
8. John really likes that cute
f.
in our English class.
iRefer to #B). I think you're r.iaht, ana she aiso seems to be
10. I was at the shopping mall yesterday a.nd
him.
our teaeher.
I
11. I haven't seen you for a while,
12. Some of the students have
excuse*q fcr not eoming to class.
13. He was planning to take the advanced English class, but he
14. The party is on Saturday, I still need to
15. He caileej 9i
to the invitation.
i when his grandmotlrer
16. Don't worry about what to bring to the party,
17. lthink I may
is fine.
that movie the teacher was talking about.
18. Did you understand the direetions he gave us? lcjidn't
19. Feel free to
the office any
time.
,
Use these words and expresslons to complete the sentences on the other page
R.S.V.P.
to pass out
to check out
you guys
to get it
to screw up
B.Y.O.B.
lame
to drop off
to play it by ear
to give someone a hand
chick
finger food
to chicken out
to run into someone
what have you been up to
to follow someone
to be into someone
to drop by