Unlike Spanish, where accent marks tell you exactly where to stress a word, English has no such markers. But English stress is not completely random. There are patterns you can learn.
This guide gives you 10 practical rules to predict word stress in English. These won't work 100% of the time (English has many exceptions), but they'll help you get it right most of the time.
Why This Matters for Spanish Speakers
In Spanish, stress rules are clear:
- Words ending in vowel, N, or S: stress the second-to-last syllable
- Words ending in other consonants: stress the last syllable
- Exceptions are marked with an accent (á, é, í, ó, ú)
English has no such system. The word "photograph," "photographer," and "photographic" all stress different syllables. This can feel overwhelming, but patterns exist.
Rule 1: Two-Syllable Nouns and Adjectives - Stress the FIRST Syllable
Most two-syllable nouns and adjectives stress the first syllable.
More examples: WAter, MOther, FAmily, CAReful, BEAUtiful, MOney, PROduct
Rule 2: Two-Syllable Verbs - Stress the SECOND Syllable
Most two-syllable verbs stress the second syllable.
More examples: beCOME, inVITE, rePLY, esCAPE, preFER, forGET, alLOW
Rule 3: Noun/Verb Pairs - Different Stress Changes Meaning
Many words can be nouns or verbs. The stress tells you which one:
| Noun (1st syllable) | Verb (2nd syllable) |
|---|---|
| REcord /ˈrekərd/ | reCORD /rɪˈkɔːrd/ |
| PREsent /ˈprezənt/ | preSENT /prɪˈzent/ |
| PROduce /ˈproʊduːs/ | proDUCE /prəˈduːs/ |
| CONtract /ˈkɑːntrækt/ | conTRACT /kənˈtrækt/ |
| OBject /ˈɑːbdʒekt/ | obJECT /əbˈdʒekt/ |
| CONflict /ˈkɑːnflɪkt/ | conFLICT /kənˈflɪkt/ |
| PERmit /ˈpɜːrmɪt/ | perMIT /pərˈmɪt/ |
| SUBject /ˈsʌbdʒekt/ | subJECT /səbˈdʒekt/ |
Rule 4: Suffixes That ATTRACT Stress
Some suffixes pull the stress to themselves or to the syllable just before them:
Stress on the suffix itself:
- -EE: employEE, refugEE, trainEE
- -EER: engineEER, voluntEER, pionEER
- -ESE: JapanESE, ChinesE, PortuguESE
- -ETTE: cassETTE, silhouETTE, brunETTE
Stress on the syllable BEFORE the suffix:
- -IC: draMAtic, reaLIStic, fanTAStic, scienTIfic
- -ICAL: poLItical, hisTORical, praCTIcal
- -ION: eduCAtion, inforMAtion, communiCAtion
- -ITY: acTIvity, electRIcity, possibiLIty
- -IOUS/-EOUS: mysTErious, outrAgeous, amBItious
Rule 5: Suffixes That DON'T Change Stress
Some suffixes are "neutral" and don't affect where the stress falls:
- -ER: TEACHer, WORKer, WRITer (stress stays on root)
- -LY: QUIETly, CARElfully, HAPpily (stress stays on root)
- -MENT: GOVernment, DEvelpoment, ENjoyment
- -NESS: HAPpiness, SADness, KINDness
- -FUL: BEAUtiful, WONderful, CAREful
- -LESS: HOMEless, CAReless, HELPless
- -ING: TEACHing, WORKing, THINKing
- -ED: WORKed, WANTed, STARTed
Rule 6: Compound Nouns - Stress the FIRST Word
When two words combine to make a new noun, stress the first part:
More examples: TOOTHpaste, BIRTHday, NOTEbook, HEADache, BREAKfast
Rule 7: Phrasal Verbs vs Compound Nouns
The same words can have different stress depending on meaning:
| Compound Noun (first word) | Phrasal Verb (second word) |
|---|---|
| a BREAKdown (noun) | to break DOWN (verb) |
| a SETup (noun) | to set UP (verb) |
| a MAKEup (noun) | to make UP (verb) |
| a PRINTout (noun) | to print OUT (verb) |
| a WORKout (noun) | to work OUT (verb) |
Rule 8: Words Ending in -ATE
Three-syllable words ending in -ate often stress the first syllable:
More examples: EDucate, DEcorate, OPerate, SEparate, EStimate
But when -ate words have more syllables, stress moves:
- comMUnicate, apPREciate, aNTIcipate, neGOtiate
Rule 9: Words with Prefixes
Common prefixes are usually unstressed. Stress falls on the root word:
- UN-: unHAPpy, unFAIR, unCOMfortable
- RE-: reWRITE, reDO, reTURN
- DIS-: disaGREE, disCOver, disaPPEAR
- PRE-: prePARE, preFER, preDICT
- MIS-: misunDERstand, misTAKE, misBEhave
Exception: Some prefixes ARE stressed when they're the main meaning-carrier:
- UNdo vs underSTAND
- OUTrun vs outSTANDing
Rule 10: Greek and Latin Roots
Words from Greek and Latin often stress the syllable before certain endings:
Before -GRAPHY, -LOGY, -SOPHY:
Before -NOMY, -METRY:
Quick Reference Chart
| Pattern | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 2-syllable noun | First syllable | TAble, WAter |
| 2-syllable verb | Second syllable | beLIEVE, deCIDE |
| -TION, -SION | Before suffix | eduCAtion |
| -IC, -ICAL | Before suffix | draMAtic |
| -ITY | Before suffix | acTIvity |
| -EE, -EER | On suffix | employEE |
| Compound noun | First word | AIRport |
| Phrasal verb | Second word | break DOWN |
| -LOGY, -GRAPHY | Before suffix | biOLogy |
Practice Sentences
Read these aloud, focusing on correct stress:
- The PHOtographer took a PHOtograph for the photoGRAphic magazine.
- I want to REcord a new REcord of my favorite songs.
- The GOVernment made an imPORtant deCIsion about eduCAtion.
- She's a VOLunteer who works at the airPORT.
- We need to CELebrate this fanTAstic opporTUnity.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- hoTEL not HOtel (stress the second syllable)
- comPUter not COMputer
- imPORtant not imporTANT
- interESTing not inteRESTing
- DEvelop not deveLOP
- COMfortable not comforTABLE (and it's only 3 syllables: COMF-ter-ble)
Summary
While English stress can seem unpredictable, these 10 rules cover most common patterns:
- Two-syllable nouns/adjectives: first syllable
- Two-syllable verbs: second syllable
- Noun/verb pairs: stress changes meaning
- Certain suffixes attract stress (-IC, -TION, -ITY)
- Some suffixes are neutral (-ER, -LY, -MENT)
- Compound nouns: first word
- Phrasal verbs vs compound nouns: different stress
- Three-syllable -ATE words: first syllable
- Common prefixes: usually unstressed
- Greek/Latin endings: stress before the suffix
Practice these patterns and you'll stress English words correctly most of the time!