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Word Stress: Noun–Verb Pairs (REcord vs reCORD)

Learn common stress shifts where nouns stress the first syllable and verbs stress the second.

intermediate

When to Use Word Stress: Noun–Verb Pairs (REcord vs reCORD)

  • •When a word exists as both a noun and a verb (often two syllables).
  • •When you want to avoid misunderstandings (the same spelling can mean different things).
  • •When listening: stress can help you identify whether it is a noun or verb.

How to Form Word Stress: Noun–Verb Pairs (REcord vs reCORD)

Affirmative (+)

Many two-syllable NOUNS stress the first syllable; many two-syllable VERBS stress the second syllable.

Negative (-)

Do not assume the rule applies to every pair; always check common usage.

Question (?)

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).

Examples of Word Stress: Noun–Verb Pairs (REcord vs reCORD)

✓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.

Common Mistakes with Word Stress: Noun–Verb Pairs (REcord vs reCORD)

💡 Practice Tips for Word Stress: Noun–Verb Pairs (REcord vs reCORD)

  • • Make a list: record, present, export, import, conflict (where applicable).
  • • Practice in full sentences: 'This is the REcord.' / 'Please reCORD it.'
  • • Listen for stress in podcasts or videos and repeat short phrases.
Quick Quiz
  1. 1.When 'record' is a noun, the stress is usually on  .
  2. 2.When 'record' is a verb, the stress is usually on  .
  3. 3.In 'They reCORD music here', the stressed syllable signals that 'record' is a  .
  4. Question 4: Complete the pair: 'PREsent' (noun) vs 'blank' (verb), stressed on the second syllable.
    4.Complete the pair: 'PREsent' (noun) vs '' (verb), stressed on the second syllable.
  5. 5.Which sentence uses 'export' with the noun stress? 
  6. Question 6: Two-syllable nouns commonly stress the blank syllable.
    6.Two-syllable nouns commonly stress the syllable.
  7. 7.Why does this stress shift matter for communication? 
  8. 8.Which is a common mistake with noun-verb stress pairs? 
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