Phonetics and Phonology
Chapter 6_Suprasegmental Features—Stress,
Intonation, Rhythm, Tone, Ultimate Success Notes
for Exams, Admission Tests & Interviews
Study Materials: Comprehensive Notes, Summaries, Key
Terms for Exam Success, Admission Tests, and Interviews
by Syeda Sumaira Tabassum
Syeda Sumaira Tabassum
(The Ultimate Success Notes: Your shortcut to exam, admission test, and interview success.
Includes focused study guides, quick summaries, and must-know key terms)
Phonetics and Phonology
Chapter 5: Suprasegmental Features
What Are Suprasegmental Features?
When we speak, we don’t just pronounce individual sounds; we also change the way we say
words and sentences. These changes in how we speak are called suprasegmental features. They
include stress, intonation, rhythm, and tone. These features help us sound natural, express feelings,
and make our message clearer.
Lesson 1: Stress
1. What is Stress?
When we speak English, not every word or syllable is spoken the same way. Some parts of words
or sentences are louder, longer, or higher in pitch. This special emphasis is called stress. Stress
helps us understand what someone is saying, and it can even change the meaning of words or
sentences. Stress is important in all languages, but the rules for how it works can differ. In English,
stress helps us identify key information, differentiate words, and follow the rhythm of speech.
Stress is the emphasis placed on certain parts of words or sentences. We make these parts stand
out by:
Speaking louder
Using a higher pitch
Speaking for a longer time
Making the vowel sounds clearer
,1.2 Types of Stress
There are two main types of stress in English:
Word stress: Stress within individual words.
Sentence stress: Stress on specific words within sentences.
2: Word Stress
2.1 What is Word Stress?
In multi-syllable words, one syllable is stressed more than the others.
Examples:
TAble (stress on the first syllable)
reLAX (stress on the second syllable)
2.2 Rules for Word Stress
English has some common patterns for where stress is placed:
Two-syllable nouns and adjectives: usually stressed on the first syllable.
Examples: TAble, HAPpy
Two-syllable verbs and prepositions: usually stressed on the second syllable.
Examples: reLAX, toWARD
Words ending in -ic, -sion, -tion: stress on the second-last syllable.
Examples: geoGRAPHic, atTRACtion
Words ending in -ee, -eer, -ese: stress on the last syllable.
Examples: employEE, enginEER, JapanESE
2.3 Changing Meaning with Stress
Sometimes, changing the stressed syllable changes the word’s meaning. These are often pairs of
nouns and verbs.
Examples:
CONtract (noun) vs. conTRACT (verb)
REcord (noun) vs. reCORD (verb)
3: Sentence Stress
3.1 What is Sentence Stress?
In sentences, not all words are equally important. We emphasize certain words to clarify or
highlight information.
, 3.2 Content vs. Function Words
Content words: Usually stressed. These are nouns, main verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
Example: "I LOVE this BEAUTIFUL song."
Function words: Usually not stressed. These include articles, pronouns, auxiliary verbs,
prepositions, and conjunctions.
Example: "I love the song."
3.3 Using Stress for Emphasis
Changing which word you stress can change what you mean or focus on in a sentence:
"HE didn’t take the book." (someone else did)
"He DIDN’T take the book." (he did not)
"He didn’t take the BOOK." (took something else)
3.4 Nuclear Stress
The most important stress in a sentence is called nuclear stress. It is often at the end of the
sentence but can vary for emphasis.
Examples:
"She gave it to John." (John is stressed)
"She gave it to John." (She is stressed)
4: Stress and Rhythm in Speech
4.1 English as a Stress-Timed Language
English speakers tend to keep the same time between stressed syllables. Unstressed syllables are
shortened to fit this rhythm.
Example:
"TAKE it to the STORE" (saying "it" and "to the" quickly)
4.2 Weak Forms
Some unstressed words are pronounced differently to keep the rhythm:
"can" becomes /kən/
"to" becomes /tə/
4.3 Linking and Elision
Linking joins sounds between words.
Elision omits sounds for a smoother flow.
Example:
"next day" sounds like /nekst deɪ/ (the t and d blend).
Chapter 6_Suprasegmental Features—Stress,
Intonation, Rhythm, Tone, Ultimate Success Notes
for Exams, Admission Tests & Interviews
Study Materials: Comprehensive Notes, Summaries, Key
Terms for Exam Success, Admission Tests, and Interviews
by Syeda Sumaira Tabassum
Syeda Sumaira Tabassum
(The Ultimate Success Notes: Your shortcut to exam, admission test, and interview success.
Includes focused study guides, quick summaries, and must-know key terms)
Phonetics and Phonology
Chapter 5: Suprasegmental Features
What Are Suprasegmental Features?
When we speak, we don’t just pronounce individual sounds; we also change the way we say
words and sentences. These changes in how we speak are called suprasegmental features. They
include stress, intonation, rhythm, and tone. These features help us sound natural, express feelings,
and make our message clearer.
Lesson 1: Stress
1. What is Stress?
When we speak English, not every word or syllable is spoken the same way. Some parts of words
or sentences are louder, longer, or higher in pitch. This special emphasis is called stress. Stress
helps us understand what someone is saying, and it can even change the meaning of words or
sentences. Stress is important in all languages, but the rules for how it works can differ. In English,
stress helps us identify key information, differentiate words, and follow the rhythm of speech.
Stress is the emphasis placed on certain parts of words or sentences. We make these parts stand
out by:
Speaking louder
Using a higher pitch
Speaking for a longer time
Making the vowel sounds clearer
,1.2 Types of Stress
There are two main types of stress in English:
Word stress: Stress within individual words.
Sentence stress: Stress on specific words within sentences.
2: Word Stress
2.1 What is Word Stress?
In multi-syllable words, one syllable is stressed more than the others.
Examples:
TAble (stress on the first syllable)
reLAX (stress on the second syllable)
2.2 Rules for Word Stress
English has some common patterns for where stress is placed:
Two-syllable nouns and adjectives: usually stressed on the first syllable.
Examples: TAble, HAPpy
Two-syllable verbs and prepositions: usually stressed on the second syllable.
Examples: reLAX, toWARD
Words ending in -ic, -sion, -tion: stress on the second-last syllable.
Examples: geoGRAPHic, atTRACtion
Words ending in -ee, -eer, -ese: stress on the last syllable.
Examples: employEE, enginEER, JapanESE
2.3 Changing Meaning with Stress
Sometimes, changing the stressed syllable changes the word’s meaning. These are often pairs of
nouns and verbs.
Examples:
CONtract (noun) vs. conTRACT (verb)
REcord (noun) vs. reCORD (verb)
3: Sentence Stress
3.1 What is Sentence Stress?
In sentences, not all words are equally important. We emphasize certain words to clarify or
highlight information.
, 3.2 Content vs. Function Words
Content words: Usually stressed. These are nouns, main verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
Example: "I LOVE this BEAUTIFUL song."
Function words: Usually not stressed. These include articles, pronouns, auxiliary verbs,
prepositions, and conjunctions.
Example: "I love the song."
3.3 Using Stress for Emphasis
Changing which word you stress can change what you mean or focus on in a sentence:
"HE didn’t take the book." (someone else did)
"He DIDN’T take the book." (he did not)
"He didn’t take the BOOK." (took something else)
3.4 Nuclear Stress
The most important stress in a sentence is called nuclear stress. It is often at the end of the
sentence but can vary for emphasis.
Examples:
"She gave it to John." (John is stressed)
"She gave it to John." (She is stressed)
4: Stress and Rhythm in Speech
4.1 English as a Stress-Timed Language
English speakers tend to keep the same time between stressed syllables. Unstressed syllables are
shortened to fit this rhythm.
Example:
"TAKE it to the STORE" (saying "it" and "to the" quickly)
4.2 Weak Forms
Some unstressed words are pronounced differently to keep the rhythm:
"can" becomes /kən/
"to" becomes /tə/
4.3 Linking and Elision
Linking joins sounds between words.
Elision omits sounds for a smoother flow.
Example:
"next day" sounds like /nekst deɪ/ (the t and d blend).
