Stress & Suffixes

Mastering word stress with suffixes is a game-changer for clear and natural-sounding English. It helps you emphasize the right parts of words, making your speech much easier to understand.

How to make it

1. Identify the suffix at the end of the word.
2. Determine how that specific suffix influences the stress of the word. Some suffixes take the stress themselves, some shift it to the syllable directly before them, and others move it two syllables back.
3. Practice emphasizing the correct syllable by making it slightly longer, louder, or higher in pitch.

Watch out for

• Misplacing stress on the root word: Many suffixes change where the stress falls from the original root word. Always check the suffix's rule.
• Applying a single stress rule to all suffixes: Different suffixes have different stress patterns. Don't assume one rule fits all.
• Not making the stressed syllable prominent enough: A stressed syllable should stand out. Make sure you're giving it that extra push in length, volume, or pitch.

Words to try

• Stress on the suffix: mountaineer, Japanese, crusade
• Stress on the syllable before the suffix: photography, indicate, biology
• Stress two syllables before the suffix: sympathy, allergy
• Stress stays the same as the root word: hopeless, careful, government

💡 Paying attention to suffix stress will significantly improve your rhythm and clarity in English!