Syllable

A syllable is a complete unit of sound within a word with vowel/consonant on either side of it. A syllable should have a vowel sound and can do

without consonant.Example: Intonation : In - to - na - tion

1st syllable 2nd syllable 3rd syllable 4th syllable

Rules for syllable stress

There are seven basic rules for syllable stress.

Rule one

If a word ends with ‘tion’ stress the syllablebefore ‘tion’.Example: stressed syllable

Communication: comm-u-ni-ca-tion

Rule Two

If a word ends with ‘graphy’ stress the syllable before ‘graphy’.

Example: stressed syllable

photography: pho – to – gra - phy

Rule Three

Shifting of stress:

Noun VerbPro-ject Pro-jectPro-duct Pro-ductPro-cess Pro-cess

Rule Four

If a new word is constructed by adding a prefix, stress the first syllable.

Example: stressed syllable

Relocate: re- lo- cate

Rule Five

If the word ends with ‘ic’ ‘sion’ ‘ical’, stress the syllable before ‘ic’ ‘sion’ ‘ical’Example:Tension: ten-sionPractical: prac-ti-calPanic: pa-nic

Rule Six

Stress the third syllable from the end when word a ends with ‘cy’ ‘ty’ ‘phy’ ‘gy’ ‘al’Example:Democracy: de- mo- cra- cyPhotography: pho-to-gra-phyGeology: ge-ol-o-gyGeological: geo-lo-gi-cal

Rule Seven

Change of sound:Adjective Verbadvocate advocate

(cate) (cit)

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