AMSTU 0250-2 -- Personal and Cultural Values
Fall 2010- J. E. Seibert -- Tokyo International University of America

English word stress

The stressed syllables in these parts of speech are usually strongest in English. Strong = higher, louder, longer.

  1. nouns
  2. main verbs (not forms of the verb "to be"): could go, is sleeping, has eaten
  3. adjectives
  4. adverbs
  5. negative words: not, no, don't, can't, shouldn't, etc.
  6. demonstrative pronouns (this, that, these, those -- as if pointing)
  7. question words: who, what, when, where, why, how

Mark the stressed syllables in these sentences. Put a mark neatly over the vowel sound of the stressed syllable.

1. Willamette University stresses volunteering.

2. The personal values of most people in Portland are different from the values of most residents of Miami, Florida.

3. Some Buddhists believe in rebirth

4. Americans and the Japanese both value education.

5. Collectivists value group harmony.

6. Don't procrastinate!

 

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1. Willamette University stresses volunteering.

2. The personal values of most people in Portland are different from the values of most residents of Miami, Florida.

3. Some Buddhists believe in rebirth

4. Americans and the Japanese both value education.

5. Collectivists value group harmony.

6. Don't procrastinate!