Welcome back! Have you checked out my Accent Reduction classes yet?
One reason that you need to use syllable stress correctly when you are speaking is because English has many heteronyms.
Heteronyms are two words that are spelled identically. The way the words are pronounced determines the meaning.
One good example is the word: ADDRESS.
When you say the word ‘address’ the way you use syllable stress changes the meaning of the word.
When you place stress is on the first syllable, address is a noun as in this sentence:
Susan’s ADdress is 2010 Pine Street.
When you place stress on the second syllable, address is a verb as in this sentence:
Susan will ədDRESS the class tomorrow.
Note that the reduced syllable in the verb form has a schwa (ə) vowel sound.
There are many more examples of syllable stress in heteronyms and I’ll post more of these in the next couple of days.
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