Welcome back! Have you checked out my Accent Reduction classes yet? When Americans speak they divide longer sentences into sections called thought groups. In each thought group we emphasize the focus word and then briefly pause before the next thought group begins.
Many non-native English speakers have never learned to use thought groups when they speak [...]
Posts under ‘Sentence stress’
Thought Groups in Spoken English
Improve Your American English Pronunciation: Use Thought Groups to Slow Down Fast Speech
When Americans speak they divide longer sentences into phrases called “thought groups”.
Within each thought group we emphasize the content words, giving special stress to the focus word. After the focus word we pause briefly before the next thought group begins.
Many non-native English speakers fail to use thought groups when they speak English. For many [...]
EyeSpeak English Pronunciation Software
Lots of people write to ask me about English pronunciation software. One that has recently come to my attention is called EyeSpeak English.
This program teaches English pronunciation through carefully designed content. Words build to sentences using common everyday themes that contain the language you need to know to speak English effectively with friends and in [...]
Using Thought Groups in Spoken English
When Americans speak they divide longer sentences into sections called thought groups.
The words in a thought group receive different types of stress. The function words, such as articles and prepositions, are usually unstressed. The content words, usually nouns and verbs, are stressed. In each thought group there is also a very important word called [...]
Intonation Patterns in American English
Many American English pronunciation courses focus on how to articulate the individual vowel and consonant sounds in the language. Learning to articulate vowel and consonant sounds correctly can be very useful and will help you reduce your accent.
However, learning to use American English stress and intonation patterns can really help you improve the way you [...]
Content Words in American English
Spoken American English has different types of stress. There is syllable stress which is the stress within a particular word. Then there is word stress which is the way content, focus and function words are stressed in a sentence or thought group. For both types of stress you need to be aware of pitch, vowel length [...]
Free Pronunciation Recording Software (Pratt)
Here is some free downloadable software that you can use to improve your English pronunciation. The software is called Pratt and it is a recording tool that allows you to record your voice and see your speech patterns in a sound wave. The lessons that come with Pratt teach you how to analyze these sound [...]
Improve Your American Accent with Sentence Stress
One great way to improve your American accent is to learn how we use sentence stress in American English through the use of CONTENT, FOCUS and function words.
Click on the link above to read my complete article on how Americans use sentence stress.
American English Sentence Stress
When Americans talk they stress the CONTENT and FOCUS words in a sentence. That’s because these words are the most important for sentence meaning. English speakers will reduce the function words in a sentence because these words are not key to meaning.
In spoken American English each sentence or phrase contains:
A Focus word-the most important word
Content [...]
American English Pronunciation at English Club
English Club has some of the best explanations on how to improve your American English pronunciation using word stress and sentence stress. The explanations they provide for these key pronunciation areas are very clear and most of them include some audio.
I frequently recommend English Club to my students who like to do extra pronunciation practice [...]
