Learn which syllable to stress and how stress changes meaning and clarity.
Say the stressed syllable longer, a little louder, and with a clearer vowel.
Reduce (weaken) vowels in unstressed syllables, often to /ə/ (schwa).
Which syllable is stressed in this word? (Try clapping each syllable.)
💡 Stress is not just volume. It is a mix of length, pitch movement, and vowel clarity. Unstressed vowels often become schwa /ə/ (e.g., about = /əˈbaʊt/). British vs US note: the stress pattern is usually the same, but the vowel quality can differ by accent (e.g., UK /ɒ/ vs US /ɑː/ in some words), and /r/ is typically pronounced in most US accents but may be silent unless followed by a vowel in many UK accents.
✓aBOUT (əˈbaʊt)
✗A-bout (ˈæbaʊt)
The first syllable is unstressed and usually becomes schwa /ə/.
✓phoTOgraph (ˈfəʊtəɡrɑːf)
✗phoTOGRAPH (fəʊˈtəɡrɑːf)
Changing stress can make the word sound unnatural or like a different form (compare PHOtograph vs phoTOGraphy).
✓PREsent (noun) vs preSENT (verb)
Some words change meaning depending on stress.