Word Stress in Three- and Four-Syllable Words
Longer words have one main stress – and the right syllable makes all the difference. Learn the six key patterns, the suffix rules and 35 useful adverbs.
Betonung in drei- und viersilbigen Wörtern: Muster, Regeln und Adverbien zum Üben.
- 6 stress patterns
- Suffix rules
- 35 adverbs with IPA & German
- Pattern sorter & quiz
1 Primary and Secondary Stress
Every English word with two or more syllables has one main (primary) stress. Longer words often have a secondary stress too – weaker, but still noticeable. Unstressed syllables are short and often use the schwa /ə/.
character /ˈkærəktə/
information /ˌɪnfəˈmeɪʃn/
2 Six Key Stress Patterns
Big dot = stressed syllable, small dot = unstressed. Say each word and tap the rhythm on the table.
3 syllables · stress 1st
beautiful · holiday · energy
3 syllables · stress 2nd
computer · important · decision
3 syllables · stress 3rd
volunteer · engineer · Japanese
4 syllables · stress 1st
necessary · television · caterpillar
4 syllables · stress 2nd
photographer · economy · ability
4 syllables · stress 3rd
information · education · politician
3 Suffix Rules
| Ending | Stress | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| -ion, -ian, -ic, -ical, -ity | the syllable before the ending | education · politician · economic · ability |
| -eer, -ee, -ese, -ique | the ending itself | volunteer · employee · Japanese · technique |
| -ly, -ful, -ness, -ment, -er | no change | careful → carefully · immediate → immediately |
That’s why adverbs are easy: find the stress of the adjective and keep it.
4 Pattern Sorter
Say the word aloud, then choose its stress pattern.
5 Three-Syllable Adverbs
All of these are stressed on the first syllable (●••). Keep the last two syllables light.
| Adverb | Deutsch |
|---|---|
| care· | vorsichtig |
| peace· | friedlich |
| hap· | glücklich |
| ea· | leicht |
| prop· | richtig |
| nor· | normalerweise |
| fi· | schließlich |
| for· | formell |
| qui· | leise |
| sud· | plötzlich |
| fre· | häufig |
| si· | still |
| pa· | geduldig |
| ea· | eifrig |
| ter· | schrecklich |
6 Four-Syllable Adverbs
Most are stressed on the first syllable (●•••); especially is stressed on the second. In normal speech, some of them lose a syllable.
| Adverb | Deutsch |
|---|---|
| won· | wunderbar |
| reg· | regelmäßig |
| gen· | im Allgemeinen |
| per· | persönlich |
| nat· | natürlich |
| grad· | allmählich |
| ac· | eigentlich, tatsächlich |
| se· | ernsthaft |
| ob· | offensichtlich |
| es· | besonders |
7 Longer Adverbs (5–6 Syllables)
Here the stress is never on the first syllable. Find the adjective inside the adverb – imMEdiate, indiVIDual, autoMATic – and keep its stress.
| Adverb | Deutsch |
|---|---|
| e· | schließlich, letztendlich |
| im· | sofort |
| un· | leider |
| oc· | gelegentlich |
| in· | einzeln, individuell |
| in· | international |
| fun· | grundlegend |
| au· | automatisch |
| dra· | dramatisch |
| ge· | geografisch |
8 Common Traps
important
important – not imporTANT.
present · presenter
She will present · She’s the presenter. The verb and the person keep the same stress; only the noun is present.
check in · check-in
Phrasal verb: Please check in. Compound noun: check-in is at 3 pm.
greenhouse · green house
a greenhouse = a glass house for plants · a green house = a house painted green.
doctor · about · support
doctor · about · support – the schwa /ə/ is in the unstressed syllable.
look up · take out
Phrasal verbs normally stress the particle: look up, take out.
9 Quiz: Longer Words
Choose the best answer. You’ll see the explanation straight away.
Learn every new long word with its stress pattern – ●•• or •●• – and you’ll be understood first time.
Take the free pronunciation test →
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