Homographs (words with the same spelling)
have different meanings depending on the stressed syllable
DEsert (n.) > A dry, barren area of land.
deSERT (v.) > Abandon in a way considered disloyal or treacherous
Related words (words with close meanings)
have different stressed sylables
DRAMA DRAMATIC DRAMATICITY DRAMATIZATION
A FEW RULES FOR THESE CASES:
Stress on the second syllable from the end (penultimate syllable)
- words ending in "ic" - graphic, geographic, geologic, photographic
- words ending in "sion" and "tion" - television, revelation, information
Stress on the third syllable from the end (ante-penultimate syllable)
- words ending in "cy", "ty", "phy" and "gy" - democracy, dependability, photography, society
- words ending in "al" - critical, geological
Compound words (words with two parts)
| rule | example |
| For compound nouns, the stress is on the first part | BLACKbird, GREENhouse |
| For compound adjectives, the stress is on the second part | bad-TEMpered, old-FASHioned |
| For compound verbs, the stress is on the second part | to underSTAND, to overFLOW |
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