How Syllable Stress can Affect the Meaning of Words

Teacher: Welcome to daily tips on learning English. Today's tip is on how syllable stress can affect the meaning of words.

Teacher: Remember that stressed syllables are said louder and are lengthened. And unstressed syllables are pronounced more softly and often have their vowel sounds reduced.

Teacher: Sometimes this difference can be the difference between a verb and a noun or adjective.

Teacher: There are at least forty pairs of words in which syllable stress along makes this difference. Some examples include: addict, addict, convict, convict, perfect, perfect. Each time the second syllable is stressed, the word is a verb.

Teacher: When the first syllable is stressed, the word is either a noun or adjective.

Teacher: Let's look at some examples more closely: Permit, permit, a permit is a noun. It's a piece of paper which authorizes you to do something. For instance, a fishing permit allows you to go fishing. Permit is a verb. It means to allow. For instance, fishing isn't permitted without a permit.

Teacher: Another example is perfect, perfect. Perfect is a adjective. it means 100% correct, no mistakes or errors. The verb is perfect. It means to make something perfect. For example, I want to perfect my English means I want to make my English perfect. Make sure you stress the right syllable. It can be the difference between different parts of speech.

Teacher: This has been today's daily tip. Tune in tomorrow for another tip.