STRESS
Word stress:
- Every word has stress on a syllable.
- Pronounce louder, longer on the stressed syllable.
Examples:
- pronounce (/prəˈnaʊns/)
- answer (/ˈænsɚ/
)
- mirror (/ˈmirɚ/)
- confused (/kənˈfjuːzd/)
- piano (/piˈænoʊ/)
- finally (/ˈfaɪnl̟i/)
- garbage (/ˈgɑɚbɪʤ/)
- personality (/ˌpɚsəˈnæləti/)
- relationship (/rɪˈleɪʃənˌʃɪp/)
- Japanese (/ˌʤæpəˈniːz/)
- computer (/kəmˈpjuːtɚ/)
- technique (/tɛkˈniːk/)
- refrigerator (/rɪˈfrɪʤəˌreɪtɚ/)
- attention (/əˈtɛnʃən/)
- unfortunately (/ˌʌnˈfoɚtʃənətli/)
Sentence stress:
- Stress (louder, longer, higher) on content words (words build the meaning for sentence): verbs, nouns, adjectives, adverbs, Wh-words, negative words (no, can't, not).
- Do not stress "structure" words (softer, shorter, lower): prepositions, pronouns, articles, modals, auxiliaries (can, should, have, be).
Examples:
1. Can I
borrow a
pen? (2 beats)
2. I’m
going to the
bank. (2 beats)
3.
Tell her I’ll be
late. (2 beats)
4.
Let’s go to a
movie. (3 beats)
5. The
pizza party is
today. (3 beats)
6.
Thanks for the
birthday gift. (3 beats)
7.
John studied for
hours. (3 beats)
8.
John studied four hours. (4 beats)
9. The
key to the
door is
there. (3 beats)
10. I’m
leaving on
Monday for my
country. (3 beats)
INTONATION (Ngữ điệu, rhythm)
- Rises in Yes-No questions. Rises on the last word of the question.

Are you going to take a trip next
year?
Is your friend going to drive with
us?
Will the homework assignment take a lot of
time?
Can the consulate help you with your visa
problem?
Could you please give me your cell phone
number?
Would you like a piece of
pie?
Have you paid your rent this
month?
Will you be able to go to the game with
us?
Do you have any plans for the
weekend?
- Rises and fall in statements and Wh-questions
I’m planning a vacation in
Florida.
My friend is going to drive to
New York with us.
The homework assignment won’t take much
time.
The weather in my country is hot and
humid.
My family hasn’t done much
traveling.
Why do you want my
phone number?
Where should I go for help with my
visa problem?
What kind of desserts do you
have?
Who are you going to the
football game with?
When do you have to pay your
rent?
How much will I pay for a good used
car?
Reference:
Coursera