English for Learners
Pronunciation:
How stress changes in nouns and verbs with same spelling.
There are several nouns and verbs in English that have the same spelling.
To differentiate between the noun and the verb, the stress position
changes from the first to the second syllable.
Why is it important?
If the right stress pattern is not used, it will be harder for the listener to understand you.
Remember:
Noun = stress on first syllable. Verb = stress on second syllable.
Here are some examples:
| NOUN | VERB | NOUN | VERB | |
| an address | to address | a permit | to permit | |
| an attribute | to attribute | a present | to present | |
| conduct | to conduct | a process | to process | |
| a contest | to contest | progress | to progress | |
| a contract | to contract | produce | to produce | |
| a convert | to convert | a protest | to protest | |
| a decrease | to decrease | a rebel | to rebel | |
| a defect | to defect | refuse | to refuse | |
| a desert | to desert | a record | to record | |
| a discount | to discount | a refill | to refill | |
| an escort | to escort | a refund | to refund | |
| an extract | to extract | a reject | to reject | |
| an import | to import | a subject | to subject | |
| an insult | to insult | a survey | to survey | |
| an intern | to intern | a suspect | to suspect | |
| a mandate | to mandate | a torment | to torment | |
| a misprint | to misprint | transport | to transport | |
| an object | to object | a transfer | to transfer |
See also:
intonation
stress in words and sentences
silent letters in English