Learn common stress shifts where nouns stress the first syllable and verbs stress the second.
Many two-syllable NOUNS stress the first syllable; many two-syllable VERBS stress the second syllable.
Do not assume the rule applies to every pair; always check common usage.
Is the word functioning as a noun (thing) or a verb (action)? That often predicts stress.
💡 This is a tendency, not a perfect rule. Some words don’t follow it. British vs US note: these stress patterns are generally shared across varieties, but the vowel sounds inside each syllable may differ slightly (and /r/ may be pronounced more strongly in many US accents).
✓REcord (noun): I bought a new REcord.
✗reCORD (noun): I bought a new reCORD.
As a noun, the first syllable is commonly stressed.
✓reCORD (verb): They reCORD music here.
✗REcord (verb): They REcord music here.
As a verb, the second syllable is commonly stressed.
✓PREsent (noun) vs preSENT (verb)
This stress shift changes meaning.