Syllable stress

A syllable is a word, or part of a word, which contains a single vowel sound. Every word contains at least one syllable, Some examples include:

Pen

Watch

Cat

The following words are examples of words with two syllables.

garden: gar / den

hotel: ho / tel

consist: con / sist

Here are some examples of words with three syllables:

September: sep / tem / ber

department: de / part / ment

telephone: te / le / phone

And these words have four syllables:

kindergarten: kin / der / gar / ten

information: in / for / ma / tion

January: ja / nu / ar / y

When words have two, three or four syllables we usually stress only one syllable and not the others. The syllable that is pronounced with the most emphasis we call a ‘stressed syllable’ and in spoken English the correct stress is important otherwise you may not be understood. Listen to the following words and choose the correct stressed syllable:

Frustration frus / tra / tion

Delicious de / li / cious

Flexibility flex / i / bil / i / ty

Mysterious mys / te / ri / ous

Incredible in / cred / i / ble

Write your answers in the comments box below and we will tell you if you are right or wrong.