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S YLLABLE S

Word stress
Rule 1 Rule 2
When a word has more than one In many English words, the stress A word with a prefix or suffix usually
syllable, one of the syllables is
always louder than the others is on the first syllable. has the stress on the root word.
in spoken English—this is the
syllable that is stressed.

dam-age in-ter-rup-tion

Rule 3 Rule 4 Rule 5
In words beginning with de-, re-, Two vowels together in the last A word with a double consonant
in-, po-, pro-, or a- the first syllable syllable often indicate a stressed in the middle puts stress on the
is usually not stressed. last syllable. syllable before the consonant.

pro-gres-sive sus-tain mid-dle

Rule 6 Rule 7 Rule 8
The stress is usually on the syllable The stress is usually on the second If none of 1–7 apply, in words with
preceding the suffixes -tion, -ity, syllable before the suffix -ate. three or more syllables, one of the
-ic, -ical, -ian, -ial, and -ious. first two syllables is usually stressed.

im-i-ta-tion o-rig-i-nate sym-pho-ny

Iambic pentameter The only English letter whose name
Syllables are often used in literature to give sentences a lilting has more than one syllable is w, which
rhythm and to emphasize certain parts of a word. A poetic
form called iambic pentameter consists of ten syllables in is pronounced “duh-bull-you.”
each line. The ten syllables are divided into five pairs of
alternating unstressed and stressed syllables. The rhythm
in each line resembles the “da-DUM” sound of a heartbeat.

▷ Shakespearean syllables Is this - a dag - ger I - see be - fore me
Many people have used this
technique, including the English
playwright William Shakespeare
The first syllable in a pair is
(1564–1616). This famous line is unstressed and represents the The second syllable in the pair is
taken from his tragedy Macbeth. stressed and represents the louder
quieter “da” in the heartbeat rhythm. “DUM” in the heartbeat rhythm.